GovernmentJobs.com

The City of Santa Maria recruitment process is competitive. That is why we’ve provided detailed information regarding the online recruitment process. It is to your benefit and strongly recommended that you read all information regarding the application process prior to application submittal.

Application Submission And Status

Where can I find information on creating my master profile?
A guide is available online at http://www.governmentjobs.com/AgencyInstructions.cfm.

How do I save my application?
Each time you complete a section of the application form, you will need to click the "Save and View Application" button at the bottom of the form. If, at any time, you need to exit out of the application form, click the "Save and View Application" button and the system will save the information you have input thus far. To complete your application form, log into your account using your user name and password to access your application. When you have completed your application, click the "Save and View Application" button and confirm your application. Review that all the required documents have been "attached" or inserted as "Text" if that is an option (Please note that once your attachment has been successfully uploaded ("attached") to your application, a link with the name of your file will be visible to you. If you do not see a link with your file name, prior to submitting your application packet, please contact NEOGOV's technical support at 1-877-204-4442 for assistance in uploading the electronic version of your required attachment(s).Then click the "Certify and Submit" button thereby completing submission of your application.

How do I know if my application was received by the City of Santa Maria?
You will receive an automatically generated e-mail confirmation shortly after submission of your application notifying you that your application was successful; however the auto response does not confirm required attachments.

How will I be notified regarding the status of the position for which I applied?
E-mail notices will be sent to candidates throughout the recruitment process. Be sure your email account allows for these communications to be received in your "Inbox" and not your “Junk Mail” folder.

Can I review the status of my application?
Yes. To review your application status, log onto your account using your user name and password through the City of Santa Maria's online hiring center. Or you may login to www.governmentjobs.com and click on the Career Seekers tab. Once you are logged in, click on Application Status.

Application Materials And Attachments

What information will I be asked to provide?
As with any employment application, you will be asked to provide work-related personal information such as your name, contact information, educational qualifications, employment history, and qualifications as they pertain to the position for which you are applying. To expedite this process, you should have this information readily available when you log in to complete your application. Note that an e-mail address will be required, as the City will correspond with candidates via e-mail.

Who will see my application materials?
Only authorized City of Santa Maria Human Resources staff will have access to your complete on-line application; with limited information provided to the department representative assisting with a specific recruitment. Note that the data is not shared with anyone outside the aforementioned specified City of Santa Maria staff members and is maintained on a secured web server.

How can I make changes or add documents to my application after I have already submitted my application for a position?
Once an application has been submitted (Certify and Submit icon), the information can not be "changed;" Any changes made to the application after submittal are not accessible to Human Resources staff; they are only visible to the applicant and are prospective for future application submittals. However, depending on the selection process for each recruitment, you may be able to resubmit a new complete application packet with the changes and appropriate attachments PRIOR TO the final filing deadline. Please see the recruitment flyer for your position of interest for specific requirements, as most recruitments allow for only one application packet submittal. Please note that documents which are hand-delivered, or received via mail, email, or fax will not be "processed" by Human Resources staff; the attachments must be electronically attached to the application by the applicant through the online application process. An exception to this is ADA/DFEH qualified applications, with pre-approval.

We highly encourage you to carefully review your application, as well as the job posting, before you submit your application, ensuring you have attached the required documents prior to submittal. (Please note that once your attachment has been successfully uploaded ("attached") to your application, a link with the name of your file will be visible to you.) If you have technical questions relating to attaching documents, please contact NEOGOV at 1-877-204-4442. In the event of multiple application packets being allowed, then submitted and received, only the most recent application packet will be considered in the screening process.

Note: It is the applicant's responsibility to submit a complete application packet including the electronic application, supplemental questions, and any required documents.

I'm having technical difficulties and need assistance (may include attaching documents to your application) who can I contact?
For any technical difficulties or assistance with attaching documents to your application, contact the application software company directly. The contact information is: NEOGOV, 1-877-204-4442.

Computer/internet Access And Use

What if I do not have access to a computer with internet service?
The City of Santa Maria Public Library (and its branches) provides computer access free of charge with a library card. Other public libraries may also provide free computer access. Additionally, the Workforce Resources Center located at 1410 S. Broadway, Santa Maria, also provides computer access.

Must I have an e-mail address to apply for a City position?
Yes. You must have an e-mail address to apply for a City position as the City will correspond with candidates via e-mail. If you do not have an e-mail address but would like to open an e-mail address, you can sign up for a free e-mail account with a number of vendors such as Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, and Gmail. You will need to check the web site of the vendor you are interested in and must agree to the terms as set by the vendor of your choice.<

NOTE: You cannot share email addresses with anyone else. Each individual applicant must have a unique user ID, password, and email address.

Must I set-up a "user account" to apply online?
Yes. Click on the "Online registration" link to create your user account. Remember to keep a record of your user name and password for future reference. You will use this information to check on your application status and to apply for other positions.

Other Questions

What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a formal letter to the recruiter of the agency to which you are applying. While there is no one standard, a cover letter does have some or all of the following elements: it is an introduction to your application packet, tells the employer why you are applying to their agency, why you stand out as an applicant; what you have accomplished that can be similarly beneficial to their organization, and contains information that expands from (but doesn't duplicate) your resume and/or application information. It is typically one page, so it is best to be succinct. We recommend that applicants not familiar with cover letters use the internet to search for examples, then develop your own letter for each employer/position of interest.

What is a final filing date?
A final filing date is the last date/time the City of Santa Maria will accept applications for a specific recruitment. The online application system only accepts applications submitted prior to the final filing date. Please note that some recruitments may have a filing deadline that is either limited to accepting a certain number of applications (i.e. 50 or 100) OR a stated filing date, whichever comes first. If the maximum number of applications is received prior to the stated final filing date, then the recruitment is closed immediately.

What does it mean when a filing deadline states, "Continuous?"
For some recruitments, applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of applications from qualified individuals have been received. For such recruitments, prompt application is encouraged because the recruitment may close at any time without prior notice. The system can only accept applications submitted while it is active online. A recruitment is considered closed once it has been removed from the Human Resources website.

The job announcement will typically state the next expected interview date. To ensure that applications remain current once a sufficient number of applications are received, they are screened to determine qualifications for a possible interview. Applications received after the screening date will be processed in the next cycle.

Is the City of Santa Maria accepting application forinternships and/or part-time/seasonal classifications?
Please check with the individual department that you are interested in working with for these types of opportunities.

What if I am interested in a position which is currently not open?
You may complete an electronic interest card by clicking on the "Interest Card" link on the employment opportunities page. If the position becomes open within six months of the date you submitted your interest card, you will receive an e-mail notification advising of the recruitment.

If I apply for more than one position, do I need to submit a separate application?
Yes. A completed City application and supplemental questionnaire is required for each position for which a candidate is applying. However, once you have established your user account, you may click on the "Populate" button to automatically populate the new application with the information from your previous ("master") application. You may then review and update your application materials and required attachments as necessary prior to submittal (if additional documents are required for another position you are applying for, you will need to either submit, or re-submit those documents if allowed).

I believe I qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) for a reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment process. What do I do?
Persons who believe they are qualified under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) or California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment process. The request must be received by Human Resources with sufficient time prior to the final filing deadline, to allow for the request to be considered through the interactive process.

Contact the Human Resources Division at 805-925-0951, ext. 2203, or the California Relay Service at 1-800-735-2920 or 1-888-877-5378 for TDD (Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf), prior to the final filing deadline.

Human Resources Division, 110 E. Cook Street, Room 1
Santa Maria, California 93454
(805) 925-0951 Ext. 2203
humanresources@ci.santa-maria.ca.us
Jobline (805) 925-0951 ext. 2997
Fax (805) 349-0657