For Job Applicants
State of Florida Employment Guide
This guide provides information on how to locate and apply for vacant state government jobs in Florida. It also provides information on benefits and other factors to consider in your job search.
The State is a major employer in Florida offering many challenging and rewarding career opportunities. Included among the many advantages of working for the State are the diverse and interesting job opportunities as well as competitive salaries, benefits, and career mobility.
Employees with the State of Florida fall into a variety of different and autonomous personnel systems each with their own set of rules and regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and wage and benefit packages. The State Personnel System, comprised of employees in the Career Service, Selected Exempt Service and Senior Management Service pay plans, is the largest of these personnel systems and is the focus of this narrative.
Most state jobs are in the Career Service pay plan. The Career Service system provides uniform pay, job classification, benefits, and recruitment for the majority of non-management jobs within state agencies. Middle management and professional positions such as physicians, attorneys, bureau chiefs are included in the Selected Exempt Service.The Senior Management Service (SMS) includes upper management and policy-making jobs.Employees can move between the State Personnel System agencies without any loss of state benefits.
Temporary jobs are funded by Other Personal Services (OPS) appropriations. OPS employees receive an hourly wage but no benefits such as insurance, leave, or retirement.
Non-State Personnel System agencies are agencies in which all positions are not a part of the Career Service, Selected Exempt or Senior Management Service system and their employment procedures may differ. For example, in most cases, they may require different applications and their job titles and salaries may not be comparable to those in the State Personnel System
Individual state agencies are responsible for announcing their job vacancies and making hiring decisions. Generally, agencies accept job applications for advertised vacancies via the Internet. In some instances, applications may be accepted on a continuous basis to meet goals and for hard-to-fill vacancies.
Job vacancy information for all Career Service, Selected Exempt Service and Senior Management Service positions, is available through:
- The People First Job Center at:https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com. From this website, applicants can review vacancies, download an application and/or apply for state job vacancies on-line.
Applicants can search the website for positions of interest based on specific job category, location, agency or any combination of these or they can simply choose to view all jobs available statewide. In addition, applicants can register in the system and set up a profile in the system by selecting from the above-mentioned options.When an announcement is posted that matches the applicant's profile, an e-mail is generated informing the applicant of the announcement and provides a link to the posting for their review. Applicants can then review the job posting to decide if it is a position for which they would like to apply.
- Contact individual State Personnel System agencies directly for information regarding their employment opportunities.
- Contact a Florida One Stop Career Center for job information on state employment opportunities. To locate the office nearest you, check your telephone directory under "Workforce One Stop Career Center" or visit: http://www.employflorida.net
Read the Job Vacancy Announcement carefully prior to submitting your application. Job opportunity announcements are issued as either:
- Internal Agency Opportunity: This position is only available to those employees currently employed by the agency and those who have requests on file for promotion in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement; [or]
- State Personnel System Opportunity: This position is only available to employees that are currently employed in a State Personnel System position; [or]
- Open Competitive Opportunity: Applications from all applicants will be considered.
Gather specific information relating to the position you seek by reviewing the job opportunity announcement or by contacting the employing agency for a description of duties and relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities. Then use this information to assist you in preparing your application, cover letters, resumes and other support materials that will allow you to market yourself.
A Florida Employment Application is required for each job vacancy for which you apply. All employment applications, hard copy and electronic, must be submitted by the close of business on the closing date indicated on the job announcement.
Today, there are two ways you may apply for state government vacancies.
- People First On-Line Job Application: Complete and register your State of Florida Employment Application on-line, which will then enable you to electronically submit your application for advertised vacancies in the state agencies.The State of Florida application online can be edited at any time prior to each submission and will automatically populate when you apply to a specific position.After you have applied to one or more job advertisements, all submitted applications can be viewed from the "Applicant Home Page" by clicking on "View Your Applicant Submissions."A listing of all the positions to which you have applied will be displayed.You can view and/or print any or all of the submitted applications, although this information is also maintained online.
[or]
- Download and complete a then fax a completed application to the People First Service Center at 904/636-2627.
For assistance in completing the employment application or applying for jobs using the People First system, call the People First Service Center at 1-877-562-7287.
Competing in the Selection Process
The State of Florida's employment process is decentralized with each state agency being responsible for their own recruitment, selection, and hiring decisions.
The selection of applicants for employment is based on a job analysis of the position being filled and on an assessment of the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for the successful performance of the duties of the position.
The first step an employing agency takes in the selection process is to review the applications which have been received to determine who is eligible to compete further in the selection process.The hiring official will compare the applicant's education, experience, and/or license or certification to the requirements of the vacant position. Only those applicants who appear, after the initial screening, to possess the required entry-level KSAs and any required certification or licensure will be considered further in the selection process.
The hiring authority then uses job-related criteria to determine those applicants who will be asked to participate in additional selection techniques such as an oral interview or a work sample exercise.
The job-related information gained during the selection process will assist the hiring official in making the final selection decision. Veterans' Preference and Affirmative Action goals are also considered by the agency in the decision-making process.
Employment Eligibility Verification, Veterans' Preference, Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action
- Employment Eligibility Verification - By authority of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1988, the State of Florida hires only United States citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers. All newly hired employees are required to possess specific documentation of employment authorization to verify eligibility to work in the United States.
- Selective Service - All males between the ages of 18 and 26 must be registered with or exempted from the selective service system.
- Equal Opportunity Employer - The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity employer. This means that jobs are open to all individuals who qualify, regardless of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, or disability. Applicants who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations, 2009 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 100, Tallahassee, Florida 32301.
- Veterans' Preference - (Career Service positions only)- In accordance with Florida Law, Florida residents who are:
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- A veteran with a service-connected disability who is eligible for or receiving compensation, disability retirement, or pension under public laws administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Department of Defense, or
- The spouse of a veteran who cannot qualify for employment because of a total and permanent service-connected disability, or the spouse of a veteran missing in action,captured, or forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign power, or
- A veteran of any war who has served on active duty for one day or more during a wartime period, excluding active duty for training, and who was discharged under honorable conditions from the Armed Forces of the United States of America, or
- The unremarried widow or widower of a veteran who died of a service-connected disability, or
- A veteran who has served in a qualifying campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge or expeditionary medal has been authorized; including any Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. The receipt of a campaign medal is not required, only service during a wartime period. Wartime periods are defined in §1.01, F.S. Veterans' Preference may only be given to non-state employees or current state employees applying to positions outside their current agency or political subdivision. Veterans' Preference is only available to Florida residents. Preference must be claimed at the time the application is submitted.
To claim veterans' preference, a DD214 or comparable document which serves as a certificate of release or discharge and any other required supporting documentation must be furnished at the time of application.If applying electronically, submit by the deadline, copies via facsimile to the People First Service Center at 904/636-2627. Be sure to include the position number of the vacancy for which you are applying on each page of your forms.In addition, applicants claiming categories 1, 2, or 4 above must furnish supporting documentation in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 55A-7.013, F.A.C. Wartime periods are defined in §1.01, F.S. Under Florida law, preference in appointment shall be given first to those persons in categories 1 and 2 and then to those in categories 3, 4 and 5. Veterans' Preference is only available to Florida residents.
If you are an applicant claiming Veterans' Preference for a vacant position and are not selected, you may file a complaint with the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, 11351 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33778. A complaint must be filed within 21 days of the applicant receiving notice of the hiring decision made by the employing agency or within 3 months of the date the application is filed with the employer if no notice is given.
- Americans with Disabilities Act- If, because of a disability, you require a special accommodation to participate in the application and selection process, please notify the hiring authority in advance.
A comprehensive benefit package is available to State employees including:
- Leave
- Annual Leave - All full-time Career Service employees filling established positions earn annual leave in varying increments dependent upon years of creditable service. Employees with up to 5 years of creditable service earn 8.667 hours per month, with 5 to 10 years earn 10.833 hours per month and those with over 10 years of service earn 13 hours per month. Employees in Senior Management Service and Selected Exempt Service positions are be credited with 176 hours of annual leave upon appointment. In subsequent years, the annual allotment is credited on the anniversary date of initial appointment.
- Sick Leave - Career Service employees earn 8.667 hours of sick leave credits per month. Employees in Senior Management Service and Selected Exempt Service positions shall be credited with 104 hours of sick leave upon appointment. In subsequent years, the annual allotment is credited on the anniversary date of initial appointment.
- Holidays- The following holidays are observed as paid holidays by state agencies:
- New Year's Day, January 1
- Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., third Monday in January
- Memorial Day, last Monday in May
- Independence Day, July 4
- Labor Day, first Monday in September
- Veterans' Day, November 11
- Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November
- Friday after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day, December 25
- Personal Day - Full-time employees are entitled to one personal holiday each year. Personal holidays are credited to eligible employees on July 1 and must be taken by the employee by June 30 of each year.
- Retirement benefits
- Insurance benefits
- Deferred compensation plans
- Employee Assistance Programs- The EAP program, provided by Horizon Health, offers confidential, professional, available 24 hours a day, and provided at no cost to state employees and their family members.Call (800) 860-2058 or visit their website http://floridaeap.com/Default.html
- Direct deposit of salary and retirement payments - As a condition of employment, a person appointed to a position in state government is required to participate in the direct deposit program. Rather than giving you a check, we will deposit your payment directly into your account at your financial institution. This will be accomplished by Electronic Funds Transfer. Banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions are eligible to accept such deposits.
- Workplace charitable giving campaign- Section 110.181, Florida Statutes, creates the Florida State Employees Charitable Campaign (FSECC), which is the only authorized solicitation of state employees allowed at the workplace during work hours.The FSECC provides an organized and effective method by which employees can donate to the charities of their choice, either through payroll deduction or a one-time gift.
- Work-site child care -Section 110.151, Florida Statutes, allows for state agencies to establish work-site child care programs.State employees' children or dependents, legally adopted children, stepchildren or any other children for whom the employee has established legal guardianship, pursuant to Chapter 744, Florida Statutes, or comparable statutes may be eligible to enroll their child in one of four state-sponsored child care centers (available only in selected locations).
- Adoption benefits
- Employee telecommuting program -Under s. 110.171, Florida Statutes, agencies may adopt telecommuting program, whereby selected state employees are allowed to perform the normal duties and responsibilities of their positions through the use of computers or telecommunications, at home or another place apart from the employees' usual place of work.
- Tuition waiver program- State employees may be eligible to enroll for up to 6 credit hours of tuition free courses per term on a space-available basis at a state university or community college, subject to approval by an employee's agency head or the equivalent.
- Mentoring program- Each employee may be granted up to one hour of administrative leave per week, not to exceed five hours per calendar month, to participate in the Mentoring Initiative including school or community voluntary activities.
The State of Florida promotesa Drug-Free Workplace and does not tolerate violence in the workplace.
