Santa Clara County Municipal Code Art. 3 Examination Announcements, Applicants and Applications

Footnotes:

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Charter reference— Rules to provide for examinations, § 704.

Announcements of all competitive examinations shall be publicly posted for at least ten working days prior to the last date for filing applications. The posting timeline of ten working days may be reduced to five working days when it is determined by the Director that the shorter posting period will yield one hundred or more applicants for the available and anticipated vacancies to be filled. Announcements may be publicly posted as necessary to attract qualified applicants. Announcements shall include at least:

(a) The class title;

(b) The compensation;

(c) A statement of duties and responsibilities;

(d) The place and last date to file applications; and

(e) Such other information as will help applicants understand the nature of the employment and the procedure for participating in the examination.

(Code 1954, 3.3.3-1; Ord. No. NS-304.15, § 1, 1-16-61; Ord. No. NS-304.35, § 4, 5-23-66; Ord. No. NS-304.124, § 7, 9-17-02; Ord. No. NS-304.134, § 7, 8-25-15)

Official application forms shall be provided by the Director and shall be filled out by each applicant.

(Code 1954, § 3.3.3-2)

Applications must be filed as indicated in the examination announcement no later than 11:59 p.m. on the last day for filing.

(Code 1954, § 3.3.3-3; Ord. No. NS-304.72, § 2, 7-25-72; Ord. No. NS-304.124, § 8, 9-17-02; Ord. No. NS-304.134, § 8, 8-25-15)

Each applicant approved for examination shall be so notified in writing prior to the examination date.

(Code 1954, § 3.3.3-4; Ord. No. NS-304.134, § 9, 8-25-15)

In addition to those otherwise stated, all applicants must possess good moral character, temperate habits and mental and physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

(Code 1954, § 3.3.3-5; Ord. No. NS-304.6, § 3, 6-18-56; Ord. No. NS-304.15, § 1, 1-16-61; Ord. No. NS-304.124, § 9, 9-17-02)

Applications will not be returned to the applicant.

(Code 1954, § 3.3.3-6)

The Director may refuse to examine an applicant or after examination may disqualify an applicant, or remove the applicant's name from the employment list, or refuse to certify any eligible on an employment list for any of the following reasons:

(a) If the applicant is found to lack any of the requirements or qualifications established for the examination.

(b) If the applicant is determined to be physically or mentally unfit to perform the duties of the class.

(c) If the applicant is currently using illegal drugs.

(d) If the applicant has been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor that demonstrates unfitness for the position.

(e) If there is evidence of immoral, infamous or disgraceful conduct.

(f) If the applicant has made a false statement of material fact or has practiced or attempted any deception, fraud or misconduct in connection with the applicant's application or examination.

(g) If the applicant has been dismissed for any cause mentioned herein from public or private employment or has resigned to avoid such dismissal.

(h) If the applicant has a history of unsatisfactory employment in previous jobs verified by record.

(Code 1954, § 3.3.3-7; Ord. No. NS-304.18, § 1, 3-19-62; Ord. No. NS-304.113, § 12, 8-30-88; Ord. No. NS-304.124, § 10, 9-17-02)

Whenever an application is rejected or disqualified, written notice thereof shall be given the applicant. Applications found incomplete or deficient may be corrected before the date of the examination.

(Code 1954, § 3.3.3-8)

Neither the names of applicants for an examination nor the names of those who failed in an examination shall be made available to those outside the Agency, except to those performing hiring functions in other County departments to aid in the recruitment process.

(Code 1954, § 3.3.3-9; Ord. No. NS-304-138, § 1, 9-16-25)

Applicants for positions which are scientific, professional or technical, or the duties of which require specialized education, training, and/or experience, may be required to provide documentary evidence of a satisfactory degree of education, training or experience.

(Code 1954, § 3.3.3-10; Ord. No. NS-304.124, § 11, 9-17-02)

(a) Applicants before appointment and employees after appointment may be required to be fingerprinted.

(b) Prior to appointment to County employment, applicants may be required to undergo a background investigation to evaluate their suitability for employment consistent with the requirements and duties of the classification or work assignment. The background investigation will include a review of criminal conviction records and verification of social security number. In addition, where there is a legitimate business necessity, the County may include but not be limited to review of motor vehicle records and/or credit history. The County may also verify information found on employment applications including but not limited to education, certification, licensure, and prior employment.

(c) The name of an applicant shall be removed from the appropriate eligible list of applicants if any such applicant does not agree to undergo or fails to pass the required background investigation.

(d) The Director may allow appointment to County employment prior to such a background investigation in the event it is impractical for the County to provide an investigation prior to appointment, provided the eligible candidate cooperates with the investigative process. The County shall endeavor to complete the background process within 30 calendar days following appointment. Employees so hired may be removed from the position if any such employee either does not agree to undergo or fails to pass the required background investigation.

(Code 1954, § 3.3.3-11; Ord. No. NS-304.132, § 1, 9-14-10)

Each applicant, or eligible, must be in good general physical and mental condition and able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. An applicant who has been made a conditional offer of employment may be required to submit to and pass a job-related medical examination that is consistent with business necessity. The name of an applicant or eligible shall be removed from any list of applicants or eligibles if any such applicant or eligible fails to pass the required medical examinations.

The Director may allow appointment of an eligible prior to such medical examination in the event it is impractical for the County to provide such examination prior to appointment, provided the eligible satisfactorily completes a medical examination before the end of the 30-calendar day period next following the probationary appointment.

(Code 1954, § 3.3.3-12; Ord. No. NS-304.6, § 3, 6-18-56; Ord. No. NS-304.113, § 13, 8-30-88; Ord. No. NS-304.124, § 12, 9-17-02; Ord. No. NS-304.134, § 11, 8-25-15)

Editor's note— Ord. No. NS-304.124, § 13, adopted Sept. 17, 2002, repealed § A25-123, which pertained to age limits. See the Code Comparative Table.

No person in the classified service or seeking admission thereto shall in any way be unlawfully discriminated against because of sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), race, color, gender, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, union activity, organizational affiliations, political opinions, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by state or federal law.

(Code 1954, § 3.3.3-14; Ord. No. NS-304.113, § 14, 8-30-88; Ord. No. NS-304.124, § 14, 9-17-02; Ord. No. NS-304.137, § 3, 6-4-24)

Charter reference— Discrimination prohibited, § 700.

Each applicant for employment in the County service shall take an oath that the applicant will uphold the constitution of the United States, the State of California and the ordinances of the County, and will be designated as a Disaster Service Worker as required.

(Code 1954, § 3.3.3-15; Ord. No. NS-304.113, § 15, 8-30-88; Ord. No. NS-304.134, § 12, 8-25-15)

To be entitled to veterans' preference, an applicant must:

(1) Claim such preference upon the application form, and

(2) Present to the Human Resources Department, prior to the date of examination, a copy of a discharge or other release, other than dishonorable, from the armed forces showing service in any branch of the United States military.

(Code 1954, § 3.3.3-16; Ord. No. NS-304.40, § 1, 12-5-66; Ord. No. NS-304.113, § 16, 8-30-88; Ord. No. NS-304.124, § 15, 9-17-02; Ord. No. NS-304.134, § 12, 8-25-15)