Want to work for Fresno County? These tips from an HR expert could help you get hired
Applying for a job can be confusing and time consuming
That’s especially true when seeking employment in the public sector.
In 2023, Fresno County received a total of 26,112 applications and hired 1,413 employees, according to Hollis Magill, the county’s human resources director.
That means about 5% of applicants found work with the county.
The Fresno Bee spoke with Magill to ask how job seekers can make their applications stand out.
Which types of jobs does Fresno County offer?
Fresno County employs more than 8,400 people in positions ranging from parks and public works to behavioral health to legal services, according to Magill.
As of Tuesday, Oct. 22, the county had 32 available positions, she said.
“Depending on the department and classification, the county has about a 10% vacancy rate,” Magill said.
Magill said that many people don’t apply to work for Fresno County because they believe that the county doesn’t have the job they want.
However, she said, the county offers a variety of positions.
To see available positions, go to FresnoCountyJobs.com.
”You can actually pick if you’re interested in working for, say, social services or legal or management,” Magill said, “and get emailed when those type of jobs are open.”
How much do county jobs pay?
Pay varies by position, Magill said.
As of Tuesday, Oct. 22, available Fresno County jobs offered starting salaries ranging from $40,500 to $139,360 per year, she added.
What are benefits for county jobs?
Fresno County county provides benefits including medical, dental, vision and life insurance plans as well as retirement for regular full-time employees, The Bee previously reported.
Starting out, full-time county employees accrue 6.15 hours of leave time per two-week pay period that “can be used for vacation or sick leave,” Magill said. That’s equivalent to 20 days per year.
You get more leave time the longer you serve — up to 38.5 days per year.
According to Magill, employees can choose from six different health insurance plans from Anthem Blue Cross and Kaiser Permanente.
”That’s something I’m really proud of,” she said, calling the county’s health insurance options “really great and low cost.”
“With one of our plans, you can cover your entire family for under $100 a pay period,” Magill said, “and this is not a high deductible plan.”
In addition, the county offers a 403(b) retirement plan, as well as a 457(b) deferred compensation plan with matching contributions from the county.
“It is very good compared to the private sector,” Magill said.
What work experience is required for county jobs?
The amount of experience required to work for Fresno County depends on the position, Magill said.
Do you need a college degree to work for Fresno County?
According to Magill, you don’t necessarily need a college degree to get hired to work for Fresno County.
“We’ve got entry level positions that do not require a degree, and that’s one of the best parts,” she said.
“Someone can start with the county as an office assistant or a program tech,” Magill said, and then gain enough experience to get promoted.
She added that there are opportunities to keep advancing in your career once you get your foot on the door.
To work as a Fresno County correctional officer, for example, you should have a high school diploma or equivalent and be at least 21 years old.
That position has an annual salary of $53,000 to start, Magill said, “but within a few years, you can make over six figures.”
Do I have to take a test? Get a drug screening?
A test isn’t required for every job, according to Magill.
“If we get a lot of applications (for a particular job), we may have an exam,” she said, noting that testing is conducted online over the course of a week.
Some Fresno County jobs require a criminal background check or drug screening, Magill said.
“When a position requires a criminal background check, determinations are made on a case-by-case basis, she said.
People applying for Fresno County Jobs that require a Class A or Class B driver’s license need to undergo drug screenings, according to Magill.
How can I make my application stand out?
One thing that makes potential employees stand out is having a stellar application, Magill said.
She said applicants should educate themselves about the county and the positions they’re seeking.
She advises being “very familiar” with the duties of the job you want, and then drawing connections between those duties and your own experiences.
“I think that’s the most important piece,” she said.
What do I need to know about interviewing?
Before your interview, “Familiarize yourself with the county and the department,” Magill said. “Review the job flyer, sample duties and specifications and be ready to discuss how your education and experience relate to the duties.”
You should also “be prepared to explain your interest in public service and ask any questions you have about the role,” she said.
Sonja Dosti, Fresno County communications director, said applicants can learn about the county and its departments by visiting the Fresno County website.
You should also check out the county’s YouTube channel, which features videos about Fresno County agencies, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors meetings and messages from Fresno County’s chief administrative officer.
How long does the application process take?
Applications for Fresno County jobs are typically open for 10 days, Magill said.
“Qualified applications are then forwarded to one or more departments for interviews and background checks,” she said. “The entire process generally takes four to six weeks from application submission to hiring.”
Magill suggests checking the Fresno County Jobs website once a week to see the latest job postings and being patient with the process.
“One of the great things (about the hiring website) is that once someone submits an application, that application is saved,” Magill said. “So you could apply for multiple positions with the same application.”
What are the most popular county jobs?
According to Magill, the Fresno County jobs that attract the most applicants are entry-level jobs such as office assistant and staff analyst.
“Our staff analyst (position) is also probably the most popular in a professional capacity,” she added.
Staff analysts perform a wide variety of research, analysis, planning, evaluation and administrative duties, the county said.
According to Magill, medical jobs that require specialized experience — such as positions with Fresno County’s public health and behavioral health departments — tend to be more challenging from a recruitment standpoint.
“If (applicants) go to the private industry, they might have better pay,” Magill explained. “They wouldn’t have better benefits, but there might be a higher pay with a private (company) than working with a public entity.”
This story was originally published October 23, 2024 at 12:17 PM.
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