Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL
• Where is the HR Department located?
• What is the phone number of HR for the City of Berkeley?
EMPLOYMENT
• What is the hiring procedure?
• What is the hiring process?
• I want to apply for a specified position. Can you tell me more about the position?
• When is the recruitment for a specified position going to open up?
• Can you send me an application?
• I applied for your (specified job position). When will I hear something?
• How do I get on a list for employment?
• How much does the (specified job) pay?
• Where do I get the Supplemental Questionnaire?
• Can I fax my application?
• Can I e-mail my application?
• The job announcement says the job requires a four-year degree and I have a master’s. Is this OK?
• If I applied for this job last time (or am currently on the Eligible List) do I have to reapply?
• I have an interview arranged with a department but have forgotten where / whom I'm supposed to report to.
Q: Where is the HR Department located?
A: First floor of Civic Center Building at 2180 Milvia Street. It is on Milvia Street between Allston Way and Center streets. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (...back to top)
Q: What is the phone number of HR for the City of Berkeley?
A: The main number for the HR Department is 510-981-6800. The fax number is 510-981-6860; however, faxed job application materials are not accepted. (...back to top)
Q: What is the hiring procedure?
A: Open recruitments are posted on the HR Department Website and job hotline. Each open position on the website has a link to the job announcement describing the application process and the required qualifications. We encourage you to read the announcement thoroughly and submit the required application in our on-line system by the final filing deadline. The website is at www.CityofBerkeley.info/hr. The Job Hotline is 510-981-6888. (...back to top)
Q: What is the hiring process?
A: Recruitments are opened and advertised on our City of Berkeley Employment Page and on our job hotline.
Applications may be submitted online.
After the close of the recruitment, the Human Resource Analyst screens all the application materials against the minimum qualifications described in the employment brochure.
If there is no examination, notifications are sent to applicants indicating whether or not they met the minimum qualifications for the recruitment.
Those who do are placed on an Employment Eligible List that is forwarded to the hiring departments for selection of applicants to interview.
If there is an examination, those applicants who met the minimum qualifications are invited to the examination.
Those who attain a passing score on the examination are placed on an Employment Eligible List that is forwarded to the hiring departments for selection of applicants to interview.
The hiring department conducts interviews and selects a candidate for the position. Notifications are sent to the applicants who were interviewed advising them of the outcome of the interviews.
A job offer is extended to the selected candidate. (...back to top)
Q: I want to apply for a specified position. Can you tell me more about the position?
A: Open recruitments are posted on the HR Department Website and job hotline. Each open position on the website has a link to the job announcement describing the application process and the eligibility requirements. The position is clearly defined in the job announcement. We encourage you to read the announcement thoroughly and submit the required application in our on-line system by the final filing deadline. The website is at www.CityofBerkeley.info/hr. The Job Hotline is 510-981-6888. (...back to top)
Q: When is the recruitment for a specified position going to open up?
A: Open recruitments are posted on our HR Dept Website and job hotline. Positions open as Eligible Lists expire or when an operating department has a vacancy. We encourage you to consult these sources and when the position is open, you can apply for it. If you have a computer with website access, you can select "Job Notification via Email" from the HR webpage to complete an electronic interest card. You will receive an email notification if/when the job that interests you opens. The website is at www.CityofBerkeley.info/hr. The job hotline is 510-981-6888. (...back to top)
Q: Can you send me an application?
A: Do you have a computer with website access? If yes, the website is at www.CityofBerkeley.info/hr. You will find announcements for our open recruitments and you can apply online. If no, you can hear a list of our currently open recruitments by calling our Job Hotline at 510-981-6888. (...back to top)
Q: I applied for a specific job position. When will I hear something?
A: Typically, it takes 4 to 6 weeks from the time a recruitment closes for the final hiring decisions to be made. If you have applied for a job using our online system, you can login to your personal account and check the status of your application. (...back to top)
Q: How do I get on a list for employment?
A: Open recruitments are posted on our HR Dept Website and job hotline. Each open position on the website has a link to the job announcement describing the application process and the eligibility requirements. We encourage your to read the announcement thoroughly and submit the required application in our online system by the final filing deadline. Once the recruitment closes, the HR Analyst will review the applications for the minimum qualifications described in the brochure. Those meeting the minimum qualifications and passing any applicable examination requirements, will be placed on the Eligible List.
The website is at www.CityofBerkeley.info/hr. The job hotline is 510-981-6888. (...back to top)
Q: How much does the (specified job) pay?
A: The salary ranges for each open position are described in the job announcements on our website at www.CityofBerkeley.info/hr. If you are interested in the pay ranges for a position that are not currently open, you can consult our job descriptions which are also accessible on our website. (...back to top)
Q: Where do I get the Supplemental Questionnaire?
A: The Supplemental Questionnaires are detailed in the job announcements on our website at www.CityofBerkeley.info/hr. If you apply using our online system, you can complete the questionnaire online as part of the application submittal process. If you plan to submit a hard copy of your application, it is our expectation that you respond to these questions on a separate sheet of paper and submit them with your application materials. (...back to top)
Q: Can I fax my application?
A: No, we do not accept faxed applications. (...back to top)
Q: Can I e-mail my application?
A: No. You can submit your application using our online system. (...back to top)
Q: The job announcement says the job requires a four-year degree and I have a master’s. Is this OK?
A: Our expectation is you have the necessary knowledge and abilities to meet the minimum qualifications. Any knowledge and abilities you may have that exceed the minimum qualifications are welcomed and we encourage you to apply. (...back to top)
Q: If I applied for this job last time (or am currently on the Eligible List) do I have to reapply?
A: The current list is in effect until a new list is established. If you desire to remain on the new Eligible List, you would need to submit application materials by the final filing deadline of our current recruitment. If you meet the minimum qualifications for that position and you pass any applicable examination requirements, your name will be placed on the new Eligibility List for that classification. (...back to top)
Q: I have an interview arranged with a department but have forgotten where / whom I'm supposed to report to.
A: Please contact the relevant department (if you know the number). Otherwise, the HR Department may be able to assist. (...back to top)