Official website of the
City of Vancouver, Washington

Applicant Information

With every selection, our goal is to hire the best qualified applicant for positions at the City of Vancouver. Our recruitment and selection process involves several steps to ensure that this goal becomes a reality. Although each position has its job-specific qualifications and requirements, we have established a number of core, basic qualifications which apply to all positions at the City. These are listed below.

Basic Qualifications Expected of all Job Applicants:

• A stable and verifiable work history;
• A record of regular and dependable attendance;
• A valid drivers license and clean driving record (for positions where operation of a vehicle may be required);
• A professional, well-groomed appearance (appropriate for the job assignment);
• Strong communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills (appropriate to the job duties).

All City employees are expected to perform their duties in accordance with the City's Operating Principles; work and act as a team player in interations with other City employees; and provide a high level of customer service at all times.

Benefits: The City of Vancouver offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes family and domestic partner health benefits such as medical, dental and vision.  Coverage is provided through Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield or Kaiser Permanente.  Other benefits include a deferred compensation program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave.  Retirement benefits are provided through Washington State Retirement System.  For additional information, please review the specific benefits plan documents and summaries at www.cityofvancouver.us. 

General Applicant Information: Application materials are accepted only for positions which are currently posted. Unsolicited resumes and applications will not be accepted. 

A complete City of Vancouver employment application is required for each position for which you are applying. Additional materials may also be required - please review the job announcement to determine the items required for the position which interests you.   

Our job announcements and application materials are available at the City's website, www.cityofvancouver.us.  In addition, we list our job opportunities state-wide with the Washington State Department of Employment Security and the State of Oregon's Employment Division. Most positions are advertised locally in The Columbian or in The Oregonian. All of our positions are based in Vancouver unless otherwise indicated on the job announcement.

QuickTip: We no longer accept paper or faxed application materials. Please visit our job opportunities page at www.vanhr.org and apply online.

The Selection Process: Application materials received after the deadline - even if delayed by computer servers - will not be considered.

All applicants should receive a postcard via mail or electronic mail following submission of an application.  Applications will be screened on an ongoing basis, and the most qualified candidates will be contacted via telephone to proceed through the selection process.  If you do not receive a phone call regarding an interview, you may assume that we are considering other candidates.

This selection process may include the use of skill assessments, interviews, and/or other examinations that test the candidates' levels of ability and knowledge necessary to perform the duties of the job.

Before an offer of employment is extended to you, the City may contact prior employers, educational institutions, and any institution or organization with whom you have been associated, giving the City any pertinent information about your employability.

The City of Vancouver offers excellent benefits, competitive market-based compensation, and career growth opportunities.  These factors have made us a very attractive employer in the region; and therefore, our applicant response involves a large volume of well-qualified candidates. It is not unusual for us to receive more than 100 applications for a single position, or more than 400 applications for our civil service positions. Understandably, this volume does make the selection process more competitive for applicants.

How to Apply: Candidates must submit the following to the City's Human Resources Department:

• LIST WHAT IS REQUIRED...
• a current and complete City of Vancouver application
• two current employment references
• responses to the supplemental questionnaire

Paper applications are no longer being accepted.  Applicant information submitted on non-current City of Vancouver forms will not be accepted for consideration.  Applicants will be asked to resubmit their information in entirety in order to continue in the selection process.  Access to current online employment applications are available via the internet at www.vanhr.org.

If you do not have access to the Internet, public access can be found at most libraries, Washington State Worksource, or Employment Security offices. If Internet access through private or public means is not an option, please call our Human Resources Department at (360) 619-1004 and we will be happy to help you.

QuickTip: It is our suggestion that you spend time ensuring your application represents the full amount of your qualifications. The materials you submit do make a difference! Be sure you have provided a complete and thorough application packet for our review.

Reference Checks: Thorough reference checks are completed on all final applicants prior to receiving an offer of employment. This also includes internal applicants.  A history of workplace harassment, discrimination, inappropriate conduct, or poor performance or attendance may disqualify you from the hiring process. Additional background research on finalist(s) may be necessary for certain types of positions prior to an offer of employment.

Civil Service: Recruitments in the City's Police and Fire departments differ from other City departments in that they are usually governed by our Civil Service system. Candidates who successfully pass the written/practical exams and the oral board interview will be ranked according to final scores, placed on an eligibility list. The list will be certified by the City of Vancouver Civil Service Commission. Veteran's Preference will be granted to qualified candidates based on Federal Law.

Equal Employment Opportunities: The City of Vancouver is an equal employment opportunity employer and all employment decisions are made without regard to race, gender, age, national origin, religion, political affiliation, marital status, mental or physical disability, or other classes of protection required by law and City ordinance. The City actively seeks applications from qualified women, minority, and/or disabled candidates as well as from candidates of other protected or minority groups.

Our Workplace: The City supports a drug, alcohol, and tobacco-free workplace.  We follow all applicable Federal and State laws regarding pre-employment and random drug testing for certain positions.

Reasonable Accommodation: Please contact our Employment Coordinator at (360) 619-1006 if you will need any special accommodations in the recruitment and selection process. This may be due to disability or impairment which will allow you to participate in the recruitment process or to perform the work once hired. Accommodation requests should be made as soon as possible.

Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): Click here to view a printable FMLA poster.

TOBACCO FREE/DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER