Interested in joining our ranks?
Make sure you hear about jobs in your field, claim your veterans' preference, and submit a stand-out application every time.
Explore Your Options: Sometimes our job titles don’t tell the whole story. Take time to explore our career paths to find the areas that match your qualifications and interests.
Write with the Recruiter and Hiring Manager in Mind: You’ve developed a wide range of skills that can transfer to different jobs within the county, but you need to make that clear to the people screening your application materials.
- Use non-military language to describe your skills and experience.
- Consider the required and preferred skills and experience stated on each job announcement, then clearly describe how your experience and qualifications match.
- A number of online tools can help you translate military skills into plain English. The O-NET Military Crosswalk Search tool is a good place to start. Other options include CareerOneStop’s Military to Civilian Occupation Translator and Military.com’s Skills Translator.
Claim Veterans’ Preference: We give preference in accordance with Oregon law. Learn more about how to apply for veterans’ preference.
Highlight Transferable Skills and Qualifications: If you qualify for veterans’ preference and you believe you possess skills that would transfer well to a specific job opening, and/or special qualifications that relate to the position, be sure to explain how your skills and/or qualifications relate to the required and preferred skills and qualifications stated on the job announcement.
Read the Job Posting – Then Read it Again: Our job postings state the minimum and preferred qualifications for each position. Be sure you clearly demonstrate how you meet those qualifications on your application. Make sure you understand what materials are required to apply for each opening and take the time to review your application and other materials before you submit your application.
Be Clear and Complete: If you are required to answer supplemental questions as part of the application process, be sure to include all relevant information for each question. Be as concise as possible, but don’t leave out any experience or skills that directly relate to each answer. Any training or experience you refer to in your responses should match the information on your application. (In other words, if you answer a question using details about a particular job, make sure the job appears in the work history section of your application.)
Don’t Delay: Apply for an opening that interests you as soon as you can. Some recruitments may close without warning.
Be Patient: Because we follow a structured civil service exam process for most openings, it can take several weeks or more before you receive an update about a recruitment. Be patient. We will notify you when there's an update.
Consider the Long-Term: The county offers a wide variety of career paths, with positions at all levels of the organization. Many long-time employees will tell you that accepting an entry-level position with a program that interests you can be an important first step in a long and successful career with us. It also can be a great way to develop valuable skills and experience, learn about the county’s diverse programs and departments, and become eligible to apply for positions that are open only to employees.
