Hiring FAQs

In its efforts to continuously improve, the Human Resources Department welcomes comments and suggestions regarding recruitment and other services. Click here for a Customer Service Survey or you can pick up a hard copy at the reception desk in the Human Resources Department.

Interested individuals who would like to be considered for Redwood City positions may apply by:

1. Visiting the Human Resources Division from 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday at:
   • City of Redwood City
     Human Resources 
     1017 Middlefield Road (Map)
     Redwood City, CA
2. Phoning
   • Our 24-hour hotline number at (650) 780-7292
   • Contacting City Hall receptionist at (650) 780-7000.
3. Visiting the “job application” section of this website

An “open until filled” recruitment indicates applications will be taken continuously until someone is appointed to the position. When a sufficient number of applications have been received, the City will proceed with the process (e.g. interviews are scheduled). If you submit an application after interviews have been scheduled, your application will be held until someone is appointed to the position. If no one is appointed after the first round of interviews, the City will consider other subsequent applications sent in.

Potential applicants are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible as initial interviews will be conducted with those whose applications arrive first.

It would be helpful to have a feel for our organization –the values that drive us, the culture and some of our programs and products. That way, you will be able to determine whether there is possibly a good match between what the City is looking for and what you have to offer.

All City jobs have a salary range assigned to the position. Some jobs have five salary steps and candidates are usually employed at the first step. Other jobs have only a top and bottom of the range, with no steps.

Upon approval of the City Manager, appointments can be made at the second or third step (or above the bottom of the range) when justified upon consideration of the difficulty of locating qualified personnel and the candidate’s experience, knowledge, or other relevant criteria.

When Human Resources conducts a recruitment process for a regular position we establish (based on performance and scores during testing or interviews) a list of candidates who are qualified and eligible for appointment to the position. This list is called an “eligibility list.” This list is normally effective for one year.

To fill the immediate opening, the hiring department normally selects from the top three candidates. During the one-year period, if another job opening occurs, the City will consider the next three candidates on the list. You might also be considered for that same job position in another department if an opening occurs in the future.

A regular position is one for which the City has an ongoing need to have a full-time or part-time employee perform essential duties. This category was formerly called “permanent.” A regular employee always participates in a competitive recruitment process, which culminates in appointment to a job. A regular employee works continuously for a specified number of hours and an indefinite period of time.

Non-regular positions are either 1) casual or 2) contract positions. Casual employees are hired when there is work to be performed for an unspecified period of time. They are scheduled to work according to the needs of their particular department, and may be on-call (meaning the department schedules the employee as needed, and there is not necessarily a strict schedule of work hours). For example, they may be hired in an emergency when a regular employee is absent on leave; to work on a short-term basis to complete a project; or to work periodically to assist the department. Typically casual employees do not work more than 1,000 hours a year, and do not receive benefits.

Contract employees are hired when there is full-time or part-time work to be performed on a temporary or project basis. There is a written contract specifying the contract term, compensation, and duties to be performed. Frequently, contracts are approved on a year-by-year basis (e.g. for a fiscal year- from July 1st to June 30th of the following year). The contract is renewed as appropriate and any benefits are specified in the contract.

The Human Resources Division endeavors to notify every applicant as soon as possible. For regular recruitments with a final filing date (the final date by which applications should be received in the Human Resources Division), notification is normally within 4 weeks after the final filing date. However, this time frame is extended if there is an overwhelming response to the position or other unforeseen factors impact the recruitment after the job is posted (e.g. very few applications have been received, and the department would like to take other steps, such as more networking or online advertising).

You may contact our HR Division at 780-7285 and he/she will direct your call to the proper person in charge of the recruitment for which you have applied.