Human Resources

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Welcome to the Long Beach Human Resources Talent Acquisition Frequently Asked Questions page.
NOTE: Additional FAQ's Will Be Added To This Page Periodically.

General Questions

• What is the difference between classified and unclassified positions?

  Classified Positions 
  Classified positions with the City require that you apply with the Civil Service Department and compete through the merit-based process. Successful qualified candidates are placed on an eligible list and referred to the hiring departments to fill their vacancies. Learn More about the Exam Process 
   
  Unclassified Positions 
  Unclassified positions with the City do not require applications to be submitted through the Civil Service Department. Instead, the Human Resources Department manages the oversight and recruitment for these roles. The selecting department will handle the interview and selection process. These positions adhere to a merit-based system and include roles such as management, positions supporting elected or appointed officials, confidential clerical jobs, and part-time, seasonal, or temporary positions.

• What does it mean when a position is Non-career?

  Non-career Position - An unclassified position in which duties are of a temporary or as-needed nature, and does not exceed 1600 hours within a twelve-month period. 
  
  Non-career positions are considered part-time, seasonal, at-will employees, who are not typically eligible for benefits.  However, non-career employees may qualify for health coverage and sick leave accruals subject to applicable federal and state provisions.
  

• Where can I find open positions for the City of Long Beach?

  You can find all open positions for the City of Long Beach at longbeach.gov/jobs. 
  

• How do I stay informed on upcoming and current job opportunities with the City of Long Beach?

  1. Once you have created your governmentjobs.com account you can subscribe to notifications through email for jobs that are relevant to your skills and interest.  
  2. Sign up here for our Human Resources Talent Acquisition Email Distribution List for weekly job updates. 
  3. Follow us on Twitter at @LongBeachHR and LinkedIn.

• What type of benefits does the city offer?

  Benefits eligibility is dependent upon the type of position you will be applying for. Refer to the job bulletin for the position you are interested in, and the benefits tab will provide the type of benefits the position is eligible for.  

• What type of employment opportunities does the City of Long Beach have?

  The City of Long Beach offers several different types of employment, Full-time,  Part-time, Non-career, Seasonal, Temporary, and Internship opportunities.

• Are all jobs located at Long Beach City Hall?

  No, although we have departments and employees positioned in City Hall, there are several satellite offices throughout the City of Long Beach that employees could be placed at depending on the role, team, department and/or division.

• Can I apply to work for the City of Long Beach if I have a criminal record?

  Individuals who have criminal records or were previously incarcerated are eligible to apply for employment.

  • You may not be eligible for certain positions depending on the crime committed and its relation to the position or role.

• If I’m interviewed, am I required to disclose my criminal history to the panelists?

  No. Questions asked during an interview are aimed to determine your qualifications and fit for the position. Criminal history is considered to determine fit, however it is reviewed after a conditional job offer is extended.

• If I’m selected, will I be required to undergo a background investigation?

  Yes. After a conditional offer of employment has been extended, applicants undergo LiveScan

  Fingerprinting to establish their suitability for employment.

  • Fingerprint searches against FBI and state criminal databases are performed as part of the screening process.

  • Results are used to determine whether the applicant is suitable for the position or role in question. Factors include but are not limited to the nature of the offense, time that has elapsed since the offense or completion of the sentence, and the nature of the job.

• How long will it be before I’m notified if I passed my background investigation?

  The City of Long Beach strives to access those with criminal records as soon as possible, however the timeframe varies depending on when results are received from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

• What if the City of Long Beach rescinds my conditional offer of employment due to my criminal history?

  The City of Long Beach must notify the applicant in writing of the disqualifying conviction.

  • The notice includes a copy of the applicant’s criminal history and an explanation of the applicant’s right to challenge the preliminary decision.

  • The applicant has five (5) business days to respond from the date of receipt of the notice and an additional five (5) business days to formally submit a written response with supporting documentation, if applicable.

  • If you disagree with the final decision, you may file a complaint with the Civil Rights Department at https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/.

• If I am not hired because of my criminal record, does that mean I cannot apply to other opportunities within the City of Long Beach?

  No. If you were not hired for a specific position, it was because your conviction(s) had a direct relationship with the position or role. We encourage you to apply for other positions if qualified.

• Will a previous disqualification affect my chance for employment in another position?

  No. If you were previously disqualified for a specific position, it will not affect your chances for a different position. If you were extended another conditional job offer, a new, unbiased assessment will be conducted.

• If hired, will my criminal background be shared with my manager or co-workers?

  No. Confidentiality is maintained by the Department of Human Resources. Information will only be shared with those involved in the background screening process.

Application Questions

• Why was I screened out at the minimum qualification stage of the recruitment process, and how can I file an appeal?

  Being screened out at the minimum qualification stage means that, based on the initial review of your application, it was determined that you did not meet one or more of the essential qualifications or criteria required for the position. This stage typically involves evaluating your application against specific qualifications, skills, or experience listed in the job description. If you believe there has been an error or that your qualifications were not accurately assessed, you can file an appeal via Unclassified Applicant Appeal Process.

• How do I apply for a City of Long Beach Job?

  All applications are accepted through governmentjobs.com. Visit our government jobs page to find all open positions in the city here.  

  1. Create a GovernmentJobs.com account.

  You can only create ONE user account per email address. Sharing your account or email address with another person will jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply and may result in missed employment opportunities. When you create your account, please document your email address and password as you will need this information to access your account in the future. 

  2. Carefully read the job posting with specific attention given to the minimum requirements and required documents. 

  Complete each section of the application to ensure your qualifications are fully documented. Also, remember to attach any required documents (e.g., proof of degree, certification, license). An incomplete application could cause a delay in processing your application and may result in your application not being approved. 

  3. Submit your application form within the official application filing period advertised for each job posting. 

• How do I apply for a job if I do not have a computer or web access?

  Visit one of the City of Long Beach neighborhood libraries – patrons will have access to computers and the internet where they can access longbeach.gov/jobs to apply for a job of your interest. 

• Am I able to apply via my mobile device?

  Yes, if you have access to the internet, you can access the longbeach.gov/jobs website on your mobile device. The best browser to use on your mobile device is Google Chrome or Safari.

• How do I know if I am qualified for this job?

  The minimum requirements are listed in the job posting. Your application will be carefully reviewed and any other required materials specified on the job posting to determine whether you meet these requirements. If you do not meet the requirements or provide all the required information/documentation, your application will not be approved. Therefore, you should only apply if you do meet all the specified requirements. 

• What does a job posting with a “Continuous” closing date mean?

  Job positions labeled as “Continuous” means there is no specified closing date and applications will be accepted until further notice. You should still apply as soon as possible since vacancies may be filled while the recruitment process is still open.

• Can I still submit an online application if I miss the deadline?

  No. The date and time listed on the job posting is the deadline to apply and is the recruitment closing date. If you are in the process of applying but have not submitted your application prior to the closing time, you will not be allowed to submit your application for that position. You must click “submit” prior to the deadline in order for your application to be received. 

• How can I confirm the status of my application once submitted?

  To find your application status, you can check it on your profile under the Application and Status tab. 

   

• When will I hear from the City after I have submitted my application?

  All communication will be sent to your government jobs account message inbox and email it is accompanied with. You can check on the status of your application through the government jobs portal under Application and Status. 
  
  
  

• How do I attach Microsoft word documents, such as my resume, to my online application?

  PDF (portable document file) is the only document type allowed on governmentjobs.com. Please convert all required documentation into this format prior to upload.