Wayne County's Employment Process

WAYNE COUNTY GOVERNMENT

The County of Wayne Michigan employs almost 7000 persons in various job classifications to provide a wide range of services to its residents, County services include public health, public transportation [including operation of a major metropolitan airport], legal and judicial systems, jail and police services, maintenance of land records, collection of taxes, administration of elections, issuance of marriage licenses, maintenance of roads and drains, etc.

The majority of jobs in Wayne County are filled through the civil service system. All job applicants are ensured a fair and equal opportunity for employment regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, height, weight, or handicap, except where there is a bonafide occupational qualification.

The Department of Personnel/Human Resources announces job opportunities, recruits applicants, develops, and administers examination and establishes eligible lists to fill vacancies.

COUNTY JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

Job announcements identify current job opportunities. They include job title, salary, required qualifications, description of duties for the job, and other important information.

Applicants should read the announcement carefully to ensure that they meet the qualifications before applying for the job.

Most new job announcements are posted on Mondays for a period of 2 to 3 weeks. Applicants many 'only' apply for jobs that are announced. For some jobs applications are accepted continuously until the "Notice of Closing" is posted.

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THE EXAMINATION PROCESS

Qualified applicants are given various examinations or tests to determine their suitability for the job. Each test or set of tests evaluates the candidate's knowledge, ability, and skill level required for successful job performance. Applicants may be subject to one or more of the following tests:

Written Test - includes multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, essay questions and are common for many entry level jobs.

Performance Test - tests a specific measurable skill, like typing or stenography.

Oral Interview Test - structured interview format where raters evaluate applicants.

Physical Agility Test - evaluates applicants on a candidate's strength and stamina to perform a job requiring physical exertion.

Assessment Center - a simulated work situation requiring typical work activities such as demonstrations, writing presentations, and decision skills.

Candidates who are not successful on the examination or who wish to improve their position [rank] on the eligible list, may re-apply according to the conditions listed on the job announcement providing applications are being accepted.

Handicapped individuals will be given reasonable accommodations upon request to facilitate their participation in the examination process. Requests for accommodations should be directed to the Examinations Division as soon as possible after notice of a scheduled test.

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YOU PASSED! NOW WHAT HAPPENS?

If you successfully pass all tests required for the position, your name will be placed on an eligible list. Once established, an eligible list remains in effect for six [6] months, but may be extended.

Eligible lists contain the names of all candidates who passed the examination, in the order of their final scores. The names of the top three [3] persons on the eligible list are given to County departments that have vacancies to fill. These departments then interview the persons listed and make their selection based on a judgment of the best person for the job opening.

Candidates may be required to take a pre-employment medical examination, including a drug screen, to evaluate their ability to perform the duties of the job.

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PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Once you are hired by Wayne County, you will begin the final part of the examination process which is called the Probationary Period. The Probationary Period must be successfully completed in order to be a full-time County employee. During this period, an evaluation of your job knowledge, skill, and ability is completed. The length of the Probationary Period is typically six [6] months to one [1] year, as determined by the various collective bargaining agreements.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

For information regarding the application process, job qualifications, testing procedures, veterans' preference or other topics, call:

For information regarding your position on an eligible list, put your request in writing, stating the job title and exam number of the list[s] you are on, and mail it along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to the attention of the Certification Unit at the address listed to the right.

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