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The Civil Service Process

ADP is subject to the State Civil Service process. This process was established to ensure equitable selection and hiring practices in all State agencies. If you are interested in becoming part of ADP, there are several steps you need to take.

Examination & Testing (New to State Service) - If you are new to State service, applying for a job at ADP begins with an "open" examination, administered by the State Personnel Board (SPB). Examinations are announced in bulletins, which SPB posts and updates.

After filing your application you will be sent a letter stating whether minimum qualifications have been met. If qualified you are then scheduled for the exam. These exams typically consist of either some type of written test or an oral interview. Once you take the test, you will be sent your results. All successful candidates are placed in ranks. The first three ranks are considered eligible for hire. (There may be more than one candidate in each rank, and once a rank is cleared, through a hiring or waiver of interest, the next lowest rank moves up.)

Locating Available Jobs - If you have passed a civil service test and are high enough on the eligible list of candidates, you can now apply for an ADP job opening. When a job opening appears, list candidates are contacted in order of placement on the list. However, you do not have to wait to be contacted if you hear of a job opening for which you are qualified and eligible. You just need to send an application to ADP. Once applications are received for a specific job opening, interviews are conducted. If you are successful and you join ADP, you will serve either a 6-month or 1-year probationary period, at the end of which you will be given permanent Civil Service status. You can also find a listing of currently available positions at ADP and other State agencies on the SPB web site.

Transfer Opportunities (Already in State Service) - If you are a permanent State Civil Service employee you can transfer from one agency to another – often without having to take an examination. Your current employer will help you determine if you have transfer eligibility.

If you have worked for the State of California in the past, you may also be eligible for job openings under reinstatement rules.

For more information on your eligibility for current job openings within the State, contact your Human Resource office.

Other State Opportunities - The State Personnel Board provides an online listing of open exams and available job openings at other State agencies. These vacancies are available only to eligible individuals based on:

• Successful completion of a competitive civil service examination.
• Current employment with the State of California in a comparable classification (subject to transfer rules).
• Previous employment with the State of California in a comparable classification under "reinstatement rules."

Online State Application Form - An electronic State application form is available on the State Personnel Board Web site.