Guide to Employment

“AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER”

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION


Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person’s age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute.  

As a condition of employment some positions require selected candidates to become a member of a Bargaining Unit or pay representation fees per negotiated contracts.

Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment.  Please contact Human Resources for further information.

TYPES OF POSITIONS AVAILABLE


REGULAR FULL TIME
Regular budgeted positions, thirty-seven and one-half (37.5) hours or forty (40) hours per week. 
REGULAR PART TIME
Regular budgeted positions, less than thirty-seven and one-half (37.5) hours per week.
EXTRA HELP
Temporary, seasonal or on-call positions. (Not eligible for benefits).  

FINDING OUT WHAT’S AVAILABLE

  
Current vacancies are listed on Job Bulletin Boards posted at various locations throughout the County and our website (www.yakimacounty.us).  Notices are mailed to over 60 agencies and organizations throughout the County.  
 
A listing of job openings can be found on the Internet at the following address:  www.yakimacounty.us 

HOW TO APPLY

Only online applications are accepted and an email account is required to apply.  If you do not currently have internet or email access, an account may be established through various free or paid account service providers.  Free computer access and assistance is available at a local library or Worksource location.  Yakima County has a computer available in its office to apply online.  Contact Human Resources to schedule an appointment.  If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, require accommodations to participate in the application or examination process, or are disabled or cannot use the online application process via computer or mobile device, please contact Human Resources at (509) 574-2210 prior to the closing date. 

Elected Positions

For information about running to be an elected official, please visit the Yakima County Auditor Elections page.

TYPES OF FILING CONDITIONS

FINAL FILING DATE  (Regular):   
Recruitment is open for at least seven (7) calendar days with a set final date.
IN-HOUSE:  Only current County employees hired through a formal recruitment may apply.  
CONTINUOUS:  No final filing date is designated.  Recruitment may close at any time after sufficient applications are received.   

THE APPLICATION FORM

 
In completing the application, be sure to read it carefully and answer all questions.  A resume will not be acceptable in place of completing the application.   

Include all your education and experience (hours worked weekly, month day and year of employment). 

You may upload a resume in addition to completing the online application.   If you wish to attach additional information such as references or certificates, they must be submitted separately through email to human.resources@co.yakima.wa.us.  The job posting and name of applicant must be included in the email.  Some positions require proof of legal age to work in the position, proof of education, etc.  Scan and attach these documents to an email and include the job posting and name of applicant.  
 
Candidates can verify their status as screening steps are completed by logging into their Profile.

PREFERENCES

Veterans’ Preference is given for certain civil service positions in the County (i.e. Deputy Sheriff).  Veterans’ preference is added to the final passing score on examinations taken during the recruitment and selection process.    
For non-civil service positions in the County, employment preference is given to qualified veterans, surviving spouses of deceased veterans, or spouses of a permanently disabled veteran along with other factors to determine those applicants best qualified for advancement in the selection process. 
 
To qualify for veteran’s preference, applicants must complete the Application for Veterans Preference form.

THE EXAMINATION PROCESS

  
Civil Service Exam
For certain positions in the Sheriff’s Department a civil service written exam is given.  This is usually multiple choice in nature and used to test skills, knowledge or abilities as related to the position.
Screening/Achievement Rating
This involves review of applications and possibly supplemental questionnaires to select the most qualified applicants for advancement in the selection process.  This rating is performed by one or more persons including professional/technical Human Resources staff and subject matter experts from the hiring department.
Oral Interview
Usually a two to five member panel asks questions regarding necessary skills, knowledge and abilities for the job.
Skill Assessment
This may be either a pass/fail or weighted test given to all applicants in order to provide evidence of minimum qualifications or an exercise needed by the hiring authority as additional information in evaluation of an applicant’s skill in performing a job or task.  For example: a pass/fail keyboarding test or an exercise in driving a particular piece of heavy equipment.  A pass/fail test will always be identified on the job announcement.

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW

Before the interview, research the position for which you are applying, including duties, location, hours, etc.  
Be punctual.  Interview panels are under no obligation to see people who are late.
Dress appropriately for the job.  
Answer questions directly and to the point.
Before the interview, think about your education and/or experience as it relates to the position.  If you are not asked about any experience/education you feel is important, supply that information at the end of the interview. 

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE EXAM PROCESS IS COMPLETE

    
  1. For Civil Service positions, eligible applicants are placed on a register effective for a fixed length of time.
  2. For other designated positions, such as in Corrections, an eligibility list will be effective for a specific amount of time as listed in the job announcement.   
  3. For the majority of County positions, the Department will make a selection from applicants who present their qualifications during a hiring interview process.  The successful applicant(s) will be offered employment by the department.  Applicants are able to check their status by logging into their profile on the County’s website.


YAKIMA COUNTY BENEFITS


The County offers competitive wages and excellent benefits including:   
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) leave plan which may be used for vacation, personal illness or other personal reasons. Paid Holidays   
  • Comprehensive Health and Life Insurance Plans which include medical/dental/ and prescription drug benefits.  The County pays a set amount of the cost of the employee’s premiums based on collective bargaining agreements.  You may cover dependents by paying the additional premiums.  Flexible spending accounts (FSA) for healthcare and childcare reimbursements.    
  • HSA/VEBAs Voluntary benefits including, but not limited to Short and Long Term Disability, Term Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Group Accident Insurance, etc.. These benefits, offered at a group rate, are paid for by you.   
  • Retirement programs are through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems. Deferred Compensation Plans –Employees may participate in a tax-sheltered plan sponsored by the County and may defer funds from their pay checks not to exceed an amount set each year by the Internal Revenue Service.
  •