Pima County Human Resources

Frequently Asked Questions About the Recruitment/Selection Process

1. How do I know what employment opportunities exist in Pima County government?

Pima County Human Resources Department operates a web site at www.pima.gov/hr. Positions open to the public are posted on three separate pages: Positions with close dates, positions that remain open until filled, and job titles that are open continuously for recruitment. The web site is updated late Friday afternoon each week. There is also a job line: (520) 740-3530.

2. Where is your Office?

The Human Resources Department is located at 150 West Congress Street, 4th floor, Tucson, AZ 85701. This is the north side of Congress Street, approximately 1/4 mile east of I-10.

3. How often do you post new jobs?

New positions are posted by 5:00 p.m. on Fridays and remain open for a minimum of five working days.

4. Do I need an application or may I submit a resume?

An application is required for all regular positions. Resumes are not accepted without a fully completed application (do not write "see resume"). Also, we do not accept an accompanying resume for positions below salary grade 35.

5. May I leave a resume for future opportunities?

No. Resumes can only be attached to completed applications grade 35 and above. Applications can only be submitted for classifications that are listed as open recruitments.

6. Where can I get an application?

At the Human Resources office (150 West Congress, 4th Floor) or from our web site.

7. How do I submit the application?

For recruitments that have specified closing dates, we must receive the application in our office at 150 West Congress, 4th Floor by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Post marks do not count.

8. Can I use e-mail or the web to apply?

EFFECTIVE 12/1/08 Pima County will accept electronic (e-mailed) applications without the signature. When submitting the electronic (e-mailed) application, the applicant shall affirm that all information contained therein is true and accurate.  Should the applicant be hired or appointed, any false information provided shall constitute just cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination. 

9. May I fax my application?

Yes, you may fax your application to (520) 620-1487.  Please call (520) 740-8028 or 740-8085 to confirm your fax was received, legible and complete.

10. Do I need a separate application for each position?

Yes. For each different class code, a separate application is required.

11. Do I have to fill out all portions of the application if I submit a resume?

Yes. The selection process is done using the application, not the resume. The application must be able to stand alone without a resume.

12. The job announcement indicated that a supplement is required. What is a supplement? How do I get this supplement?

The supplemental form is used to gather information needed to evaluate special requirements of a particular recruitment. Some supplements are used to gather educational information required in the minimum qualification while others gather information used in the selective criteria. Call our help desk for information about a specific supplement: (520) 740-8028 or 740-8085.

13. How does the application selection process work?

Once your application has been submitted, it is evaluated against the Minimum Qualifications for that position. These are stated in the advertising as the Minimum Qualifications or Minimum Requirements. If your application does not meet these Minimum Qualifications, it is rejected and you will be notified in writing via e-mail or mail. Our preferred method of correspondence is e-mail.  Please ensure the e-mail address on the application is legible and accurate.

If your application does meet the Minimum Qualifications, it is placed in the file of qualified applications for evaluation against the selective criteria or preferred qualifications; this usually takes place one or more weeks after the close date (there is no written notification). Only the top rated applications are sent to the hiring department for the interview process. The hiring department may then conduct written tests, practical tests and oral interviews to select the final candidate.

14. How can I improve my application or resume?

Pay close attention to the minimum qualifications; if these are not met, your application will be rejected. Read carefully the preferred qualifications; these are the attributes that your application will be evaluated against. Make sure that you give all the details of your experience using terms that are commonly understood by people that are not necessarily experts in that field. The applications selected for interview are the ones that come closest to meeting the training and experience stated in the preferred qualifications or selective criteria.

15. When should I file a new application?

Applications expire without notice six months after the date they were submitted. If you are hired, the application for that position is removed from the active file.

16. What happens if I decline an interview?

If you are called for a job interview and you decline or fail to appear or reject an offer of employment within the Office Support Level (OSL) clerical series, you will be notified in writing that your application for that classification has been inactivated. You may sign and return this notice to reactivate your application. If you decline a second time, your application for that  OSL clerical series is permanently deactivated. To be considered for additional positions within the clerical series, you must submit a new application.

17. What is the closing date?

This is the last date that an application may be submitted for that particular recruitment. We must receive the application in our office by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. (This does not apply to "Open Until Filled" or "Open Continuous").

18. When does the selection process take place for the "Open Until Filled" and "Open Continuous" positions?

In some cases, the "Open Until Filled" recruitment will specify a first-screening date. That is the date on which all of the qualified applications received so far will be reviewed. If there are enough well qualified applications, a list of certified eligibles will be sent to the hiring department; otherwise the recruitment continues until the position is filled. For "Open Continuous" recruitments, the selection process is done when the hiring department submits a request to fill one of these positions.

19. The job lists a salary range. Is this negotiable?

Any starting salary above the minimum must be approved by the County Administrator. Some salary ranges use a matrix to set the salary based on experience, education and professional registration/certification or training.

20. How do I know the selection criteria for the "Open Continuous" positions?

The "Open Continuous" positions do not have selection criteria because they are recruiting for an entire class of positions, such as the nursing classifications. When submitting an application for an "Open Continuous" position, give as much detail about your experience as possible. Some of the "Open Continuous" recruitments require a supplement to the application allowing the applicant to choose the areas of specialty.

21. Can I get copies of my application after submitting it?

Please make a copy of your completed application before you submit it. We are unable to provide you a copy of your application once it is submitted.

22. Does Pima County have a listing of all job titles?

Yes. Our web site lists all of the Pima County job classification titles and pay rates under the page entitled Compensation.

23. May I submit an additional application for the same position?

Yes, if that position is open for recruitment. If you do submit another application for the same class code, the new application will supercede the old one.

24. How can I change information on my application (phone, address, etc.) after submitting it?

You may submit an Applicant Change Form, which is available in our office or on our website.  If you don't have a copy of the form, you may provide us the information in writing, fully identifying yourself and the position you applied for and what the change(s) are, including your signature and date.

25. What if I don't want to work in a particular department?

Item #7 on the front of the application is used to indicate which department(s) you do not want to be referred to.

26. How does the selection process work for clerical (Office Support) positions?

The Clerical or Office Support positions are tested every three (3) months (February, May, August & November). Watch for specific test dates as they are announced on our web site, job-line and in our reception area. Selection is done from the pool of tested applicants; vacancies are not announced. Candidates for job interviews are selected based on their test scores and experience, depending on what combination of test scores and experience the hiring department has asked for. For each candidate selected for interview, a copy of his/her application is sent to the hiring department for use in the final selection process. Test results and test standards are mailed to each applicant approximately one week after the test.

27. Can I use a typing certificate from another agency?

Yes. The certificate must be on the agency form, use a five minute timed test, give gross and net words per minute and number of errors. Pima County requires 45 words per minute to qualify.

28. What other positions require written tests as part of the initial selection process?

There are two other major recruitments that use testing as the initial evaluation tool: Deputy Sheriff and Corrections Officer. There are others that will be identified as such in the recruiting announcements.

29. Who should I contact to find out about my application?

It takes approximately two weeks after the close date to do the selection process. After that time period, the best qualified applications are sent to the hiring department for interview. The hiring department has 30 days to conduct the interviews. You may call our help desk (740-8028 or 740-8085) and ask to speak to the analyst handling that recruitment. Please be prepared to give the class code, title and hiring department. If you received notice that your application does not qualify, you may contact the help desk immediately for more information.

30. What happens if my application materials are incomplete?

If there is a problem with your application, you will be notified in writing.

31. What happens to my application if it is not received by the deadline?

It will be rejected. You will be notified in writing.

32. Who is eligible for Employment Preference Points and when are they applicable?

Preference points are awarded for three categories: Disability, Veterans and Native Americans. Preference points are given during the initial hiring process only and are not used in the promotional process or other changes in employment status. Refer to the form available at our help desk or call 740-8028 or 740-8085 for further assistance.

33. What is an unclassified position?

Unclassified positions are not subject to the Pima County Merit System Rules; they are however subject to the Pima County Personnel Policies. Unclassified positions usually have class codes in the seven thousand series (7115, 7120, etc) and are identified as unclassified in the announcement. These positions are usually referred to as "at will" employment.

34. Does Pima County conduct background checks?

Pima County conducts background checks on some positions depending on the department. Most all positions in the Sheriff's Department and County Attorney's Office require background checks. If you are subjected to a background check, you will be advised of such by the hiring department. In addition, it is common practice to conduct reference checks on new employees. All applicants are asked to sign a release for reference checks.