Employment Opportunities with the Commonwealth of PA

Become a civil servant and use your

education for service!

February 2014

A little bit about me…

Miranda Martin, ChiefRecruitment and Workforce Diversity Division

•12 years with Commonwealth of PA

•Etown graduate

Who are we?

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania employs nearly 80,000 people. With numerous agencies, boards, and commissions under the jurisdiction of the Governor serving over 12.7 million residents, there are a wide variety of fields and locations in which to work.

• Over 2,000 distinct job titles.

• There are anywhere between one and 7,100 individual positions assigned to each job title.

• Opportunities are located in a majority of state agencies and numerous local government offices.

• Most positions are in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, but there are also opportunities available statewide.

Opportunities!

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Civil vs. Non-Civil Service

Civil Service (Merit System)

•Accounts for about 70% of the Commonwealth workforce.

•Required to complete an exam or assessment.

Non-Civil Service

•Accounts for about 30% of the Commonwealth workforce.

•Most jobs do not require testing.

Four Basic Types:

• Computer Administered Test• Performance Test (such as typing)• Oral Test/Work Simulation• Rating of Experience and Training

Each test announcement indicates the test type.

An examination may consist of one or more of these types.

You must pass the examination AND meet all the job requirements listed on the test announcement to receive a test score.

Types of Tests

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The Process - Demystified

1. Review open test announcements.

2. Submit application(s) and schedule exam(s).

3. Take exam.

4. Receive score and rank on the list (if you pass AND meet the minimum experience and training requirements).

5. Receive availability surveys as vacancies arise.

6. Return availability survey to indicate your interest.

7. Participate in the interview process.

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Nearing Graduation?

You can apply 7 months before you graduate if you have 45 credits or more completed

toward your Associate’s degree or 90 or more credits toward your Bachelor’s degree.

Review Open Test Announcements

Apply online at www.scsc.state.pa.us.

Start with“Job Seekers”

• Administration, Accounting and Fiscal Control• Clerical• Information Technology• Education and Museum• Engineering and Environmental Control• Law Enforcement, Investigation and Safety• Medical and Health Services• Social and Employment Services• Trades and Maintenance

Job Categories

Test Announcements

Before applying:

•Review the entire test announcement.

•Pay close attention to the “Job Requirements” section for details regarding the Minimum Experience and Training needed to qualify.

•Most titles require PA residency.

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• If you apply online and do not require a testing accommodation, use the Online Services system.

• Online Services includes scheduling test dates, times, and locations as well as changing or canceling tests.

Applying

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Submit an Application

Schedule Your Test(s)

Completing the Application

When filling out your application, keep in mind:

• Submit one application per test announcement.

• Test announcements may contain multiple job titles. Apply for all job titles of interest on each application.

• You may list up to 10 counties where you will accept employment.

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• Testing centers are located in Harrisburg,Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Erie, Johnstown, Lock Haven, and Scranton.

• Testing is free.

• Civil Service does NOT issue practice tests, books, or study guides.

Testing

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• Computer administered tests are offered on most Mondays through Fridays at test centers in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.

• Computer administered tests are also offered 10 days a month, including some Saturdays and evenings, in Erie, Johnstown, Lock Haven, and Scranton.

Test Centers

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Applicants with Disabilities

• Testing accommodations are provided as appropriate.

• A “Justification for Testing Accommodation” form is required.

• To access the form online, go to “Job Seekers,” “Testing Information,” and open the PDF document.

Veterans’ Preference

Applicants who pass civil service exams receive additional benefits in recognition of their military service. These benefits are commonly referred to as veterans’ preference.

Veterans, qualified widows and widowers of veterans, and spouses of disabled veterans who pass civil service appointment tests, receive ten points added to their final score.

• After testing, your application will be reviewed to determine whether or not you meet the minimum experience and training requirements.

• Applicants receive a “Notice of Examination Results.” Timeframes for this will vary, based on the specific examination.  Typically, you may expect your results within 2 to 4 weeks.

• Applicants can challenge a finding of ineligibility or an examination score by following the procedures on the back of their “Notice of Examination Results” within the prescribed timeframes.

• For many titles, retesting is available.

• Your most recent exam score counts.

After Testing

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• Hiring agencies send candidates “Availability Surveys” about vacancies.

• Completion by survey deadline is key.

• Give advance notice for interview accommodations.

After Testing

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• Statewide Employment Opportunities

• Competitive Salary

• Interesting/Challenging Work

• Work/Life Balance

• Excellent Benefits

• Endless Career Opportunities

Find a job that suits your skills, appeals to your values, and fits your lifestyle. Climb the career ladder or switch fields entirely – all while staying with the same employer.

More than a job…

Benefits

• Statewide job opportunities and mobility.

• Competitive salaries.

• Numerous advancement and professional development opportunities.

• Low cost medical, dental, vision, prescription, and hearing aid plans.

Benefits

• For most jobs, 37.5 or 40 hour work weeks.

• Alternate work schedules in some locations.

• Leave:Annual days Progressive personal leaveSick days11 paid holidays

Benefits

• Life insurance.

• Optional Deferred Compensation Program.

• Mental health/substance abuse benefits.

• Excellent retirement plan.

Benefits

• Governor’s Child Care Center Program.

• Family Care Account Program.

• State Employee Assistance Program.

• Optional Long Term Care, Auto, and Homeowners Insurance.

Benefits

• Membership with the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union.

• Direct deposit of pay and travel expenses.

Administration, Aging, Agriculture, Attorney General, Auditor General, Banking and Securities Commission, Board of Claims, Board of Pardons, Bureau of Liquor Enforcement, Bureau of State Employment, Capitol Police, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Community and Economic Development, Conservation and Natural Resources, Corrections, Department of State, Drug and Alcohol Programs, Education, Environmental Protection, Environmental Hearing Board, Fish and Boat Commission, Game Commission, General Counsel, General Services, Governor's Advisory Commission on African American and Asian American Affairs, Governor's Commission on Children & Families, Governor's Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing & Conservation, Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, Health, Governor's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports, Governor's Green Government Council, Independent Regulatory Review Commission, Insurance, Historical & Museum Commission, Juvenile Court Judges' Commission, Labor & Industry, Liquor Control Board, Military & Veterans Affairs, Milk Marketing Board, Office of Administrative Law Judge, Office of the Budget, Office of Consumer Advocate, Office of the First Lady, Office of the Governor, Office of Inspector General, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Office of Public Liaison, Office of Receiver, Office of the State Fire Commissioner, Office of the Victim Advocate, PA Commission for Women, PA Council on the Arts, PA Emergency Management Agency, PA Gaming Control Board, PA Health Care Cost Containment Council, PA Higher Education Assistance Agency, PA Higher Educational Facilities Authority, PA Housing Finance Agency, PA Human Relations Commission, PA Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), PA Lottery, PA Municipal Retirement System, PA Public School Employees' Retirement System, PA State Employees' Retirement System, PA State Police, PA State System of Higher Education, Patient Safety Authority, Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, Port of Pittsburgh Commission, Probation & Parole, Public Employee Retirement Commission, Public Utility Commission, Public Welfare, Revenue, Sexual Offenders Assessment Board, State Ethics Commission, State Library, State Public School Building Authority, State Tax Equalization Board, State Treasurer, Transportation, and Turnpike Commission.   

Opportunitie

s!

• Accounting

• Economics

• Finance

• Business Administration

What is your major?

You may qualify to work as a…

Accountant 1with the Office of Administration

Administration and Management Trainee with most state agencies

Depository Financial Institution Examiner 1 with the Department of Banking and Securities

Executive Financial Associate with the Office of Administration

Audit Specialist 1 with the Department of Public Welfare

Financial Programs Trainee with the Department of Revenue

Unemployment Compensation Tax Agent with the Department of Labor and Industry

Facility Guardian Officer with several state agencies

• Computer Science

• Information Systems

What is your major?

You may qualify to work as a…

Applications Developer with most local government agencies

Database Analyst with most local government agencies

Information Technology Generalist with most state agencies

Information Technology Technician with most state agencies

• Psychology

• Social Work

• Sociology

• History

• Political Science

What is your major?

You may qualify to work as a…

Aging Care Manager with Area Agencies on Aging

County Caseworker with county children and youth agencies, mental health program offices, and local housing authorities

Drug and Alcohol Case Management Specialist Trainee with local drug and alcohol program offices

Forensic Social Worker with the Department of Public Welfare

Employment Facilitator, OVRwith the Department of Labor and Industry

Therapeutic Activities Services Worker with the Department of Public Welfare

Parole Agent with the Board of Probation and Parole

• Elementary Education

• Secondary Education

• Special Education

What is your major?

You may qualify to work as a…

Adult Basic Education Teacher with the Department of Corrections

Corrections Activities Specialist with the Department of Corrections

Vocational Rehabilitation Pre-Vocational Instructor with the Department of Labor and Industry

• Biochemistry

• Chemistry

• Engineering

• Environmental Science

• Forestry and Environmental Management

• Biology

What is your major?

You may qualify to work as a…

Air Quality Engineering Trainee with the Department of Environmental Protection

Chemist 1 with numerous state agencies

Civil Engineer Trainee with the Department of Environmental Protection or the Department of Transportation

Forensic DNA Scientist Trainee with the State Police

Environmental Education Specialist with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Photogrammetry Technician with the Department of Transportation

Park Manager Trainee with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Blasting and Explosives Inspector with the Department of Environmental Protection

Communications…

SERS Retirement Counselor Trainee with the State Employees’ Retirement System

Retirement Benefits Specialist with the State Employees’ Retirement System

More Majors and Titles…

Mathematics…

Descriptive Statistician with the Department of Labor and Industry or the Department of Health

Roadway Programs Specialist with the Department of Transportation

Traffic Control Technician with the Department of Transportation

Transportation Planning Specialist Trainee with the Department of Transportation

More Majors and Titles…

Income Maintenance Caseworker with County Assistance Offices

LCB Licensing Technician with the Liquor Control Board

Real Estate Specialist with numerous state agencies

Assistant Property Manager with the Housing Authority

Corrections Records Specialist with the Department of Corrections

Pharmacy Assistant with the Department of Public Welfare

Opportunities for ANY Major

Helpful Tools

“Job Seekers” – “State and Local Government Career Opportunities” – “Job Opportunities for Graduates”

Check out the website and apply!

State Civil Service Commission

www.scsc.state.pa.us

Bureau of State Employment

www.employment.pa.gov

Thank you for your time!

Questions?