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, Chief
Recruitment 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.
Opportunities!
•
Over 2,000 distinct job titles.
•
There are anywhere between one and 7,100
individual positions assigned to each job title.
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Opportunities are located in a majority of state
agencies and numerous local government offices.
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Most positions are in Harrisburg, Philadelphia,
and Pittsburgh, but there are also opportunities
available statewide.
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Civil vs. Non-Civil Service
Civil Service (Merit System)
Non-Civil Service
•Accounts for about 70% of the
Commonwealth workforce.
•Accounts for about 30%
of the Commonwealth
workforce.
•Required to complete an
exam or assessment.
•Most jobs do not require
testing.
Types of Tests
Four Basic Types:
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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.
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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.
6
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
Start with
“Job Seekers”
Apply online at www.scsc.state.pa.us.
Job Categories
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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
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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Applying
• 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.
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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
• 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.
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Test Centers
• 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.
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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
• 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.
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After Testing
• Hiring agencies send candidates “Availability
Surveys” about vacancies.
• Completion by survey deadline is key.
• Give advance notice for interview
accommodations.
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More than a job…
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.
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Statewide Employment
Opportunities
•
Competitive Salary
•
Interesting/Challenging
Work
•
Work/Life Balance
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Excellent Benefits
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Endless Career
Opportunities
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 leave
Sick days
11 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.
What is your major?
• Accounting
• Economics
• Finance
• Business Administration
You may qualify to work as a…
Accountant 1with the Office of
Administration
Audit Specialist 1 with the
Department of Public Welfare
Administration and Management Financial Programs Trainee with
Trainee with most state agencies
the Department of Revenue
Depository Financial Institution
Unemployment Compensation
Examiner 1 with the Department of Tax Agent with the Department of
Banking and Securities
Labor and Industry
Executive Financial Associate
with the Office of Administration
Facility Guardian Officer with
several state agencies
What is your major?
• Computer Science
• Information Systems
You may qualify to work as a…
Applications Developer
with most local government
agencies
Information Technology
Generalist with most state
agencies
Database Analyst with
most local government
agencies
Information Technology
Technician with most state
agencies
What is your major?
• Psychology
• Social Work
• Sociology
• History
• Political Science
You may qualify to work as a…
Aging Care Manager with Area
Agencies on Aging
Forensic Social Worker with the
Department of Public Welfare
County Caseworker with county
Employment Facilitator, OVR
children and youth agencies, mental with the Department of Labor and
health program offices, and local
Industry
housing authorities
Therapeutic Activities Services
Drug and Alcohol Case
Worker with the Department of
Management Specialist Trainee
Public Welfare
with local drug and alcohol program
offices
Parole Agent with the Board of
Probation and Parole
What is your major?
• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education
• Special Education
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
What is your major?
• Biochemistry
• Chemistry
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Forestry and Environmental Management
• Biology
You may qualify to work as a…
Air Quality Engineering Trainee Environmental Education Specialist
with the Department of Conservation
with the Department of
and Natural Resources
Environmental Protection
Chemist 1 with numerous state
agencies
Photogrammetry Technician
with the Department of Transportation
Civil Engineer Trainee with the
Department of Environmental
Protection or the Department of
Transportation
Park Manager Trainee with the
Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources
Forensic DNA Scientist Trainee
with the State Police
Blasting and Explosives Inspector
with the Department of Environmental
Protection
More Majors and Titles…
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
Opportunities for ANY Major
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
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?