Application FAQs

APPLYING FOR CITY JOBS

Who can apply?

At time of application, applicants must be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States or non-citizens eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment.

Employees applying for inter-departmental recruitments (promotional job opportunities), must be regular employees of the City and County of Honolulu who have successfully completed the initial probationary period by the application deadline date.
Click here to view promotional opportunities for City employees.

Where can I get an application?

Job applications can only be found online at www.honolulu.gov/career and on our Job Opportunities page. Application forms will not be mailed or faxed. Applicants are responsible for checking our website for job announcements and submitting their application before the deadline.

The locations below have free public computers access. Please check the websites for specific locations and hours.

When is the application deadline?

Jobs with Closing Dates
Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time (H.S.T.) on the closing date. The closing date can be found on the job announcement.

Jobs with Application Limits

If a job announcement includes a job application limit, the application period will close when the maximum number of applications are received regardless of the advertised closing date. If the maximum number of applications are not received prior to the closing date, the application period will close on the listed closing date.

Jobs with “Continuous” Closing Dates
If a closing date is listed as “Continuous”, the application period will remain open until for as long as is necessary to seek a sufficient number of applications and can be closed at any time without advance notice.

How do I apply?

Click here, or visit our website at www.honolulu.gov/career to view the different types of City jobs available.

1. Click on the job title to view the job details.
2. After reviewing the job announcement, click on “Apply.”
3. Log in to start the application process. A step-by-step instruction guide on how to apply is available online: click here. If you already have a Government Jobs account, login and complete the application.
  - If you forgot your username or password, click here.
  - If you do not have an account, see “How do I create a Government Jobs account?” below.
  - Note: You cannot create multiple accounts using the same e-mail address.
4. Before submitting your application, please review your information and verify that all the information provided is correct.
5. After reviewing your completed application, click on “Accept and Submit.”
6. If you successfully submitted your application, you will immediately receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive an email, then your application was not submitted.

IMPORTANT:

To expedite completing the application, gather all pertinent data regarding your employment history, education, and professional licensing prior to the application process. In addition, you may be able to “cut” and “paste” from a saved document.
Do NOT share your government jobs account or email address. Applications may be disqualified if a shared account or email is used.
Show all relevant education and experience on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
Applications must be submitted online by midnight (11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time) on the job announcement’s closing date.

How do I create a Government Jobs account?

If you do not have a Government Jobs account, click here, or visit www.governmentjobs.com and click on “Sign Up.”

– 1. Create your account using an email address which is exclusively for your own use.

Note: You cannot create multiple accounts using the same e-mail address. In addition, when creating a new account, the “Notification Preference” option is not applicable for City positions. Please read the job announcement to determine how notifications will be sent.

When filling out the personal information section on your application, please follow the guidelines listed below:

- Please use your full legal name, not a nickname or shortened name.
  Note: If you are scheduled for a written test, the name on your application must match the name on your government-issued photo I.D. You may not be admitted to the test site if the names do not match.
- Include generational titles (such as Jr., Sr., III, etc.) after your last name. Example: John Smith, Jr.
- Address #1 should be your current mailing address. Use Address #2 only if you run out of space on the Address #1 line. We are NOT responsible for misdirected mail due to incorrect information on your application.
- Remember your new Username and Password (You will need this to Login next time).
- A step-by-step instruction guide on how to apply is available online: [CLICK HERE]
- Complete your application.
  - SAVE your work to avoid losing data.
  - The NEOGOV system will take you through eight (8) application process steps:
    Section 1 – Info
    Section 2 – Work
    Section 3 – Education
    Section 4 – Additional
    Section 5 – References
    Section 6 – Attachments
    Section 7 – Questions
    Section 8 – Review
    Section 9 – Submit

How can I retrieve my username and password?

To retrieve your username or password, you may use the following links:

Forgot Username: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/RecoverUserName

Reset Password: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

If you are still unable to access your account, please call the Toll-Free Applicant Support Line at 1-855-524-5627 between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time or email applicantsupport@neogov.com to reset your account login information.

If you must create multiple accounts, please be advised that you are responsible for keeping track of which jobs you applied for on each account. In addition, as important information will be sent via email, you are responsible for monitoring the email addresses associated with each account.

Who can I contact if I'm having trouble with the online job application?

During regular business hours (Monday thru Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays) you may call (808) 768-8536 and we can answer questions about your online application.

If you leave a voice mail message, please be sure to include the following information:

- your full legal name
- your telephone number (include area code)
- the title of the position you are applying for
- a BRIEF description of the difficulties you are encountering

Please note that leaving a message will NOT extend the application deadline.

How can I verify that my application was successfully submitted?

If you complete all steps properly and “ACCEPT & SUBMIT”, you will immediately receive an email confirmation stating that your application was successfully submitted. If you do not receive an email, then your application was not submitted.

To ensure proper delivery, please make sure you:

use a valid e-mail account;
verify your e-mail address is entered correctly on your GovernmentJobs account;
are subscribed to email notices;
check your spam folders; and
add infoneogov@honolulu.gov and info@governmentjobs.com to your contact list.

Please note that these email addresses do not accept email inquires.

If you create multiple accounts and apply for the same job, the duplicate applications will not be accepted.

How can I check on the status of my application?

Go to “Applications” or “Applications & Status”
All applications submitted or incomplete will be viewable

How will I be notified of my examination results?

Notifications will be sent via the method(s) stated on the job announcement. The Department of Human Resources is not responsible for misdirected correspondence due to incorrect information on your application.

Note: When creating a new account, the “Notification Preference” option is not applicable for City positions. Please read the job announcement to determine how notifications will be sent.

Can I update my application after I have already submitted it?

Yes. You may update your email address on your account and it will immediately update all of your applications.

However, if you need to update other information, such as an address, phone number, etc., you must notify the Department of Human Resources in writing. Requests must be mailed or dropped off to our office at:

Department of Human Resources
650 South King Street, 10th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813

Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., except holidays. Click here for directions to our office.

How do I obtain a copy of my application?

There are three ways you may obtain a copy of your application:

During the application steps, you may print a copy of the completed application phase before you proceed to the next section.
At the “Review” application phase, you may print or save a copy of your application before you clicking on the “Proceed to Certify and Submit” button.
After you submit your application, go to menu options and click on “Job Applications” to view a copy of all applications submitted by job title.

What is the selection process?

Review of Application

Requirements for work authorization, veteran’s preference, education, experience and license/certification must be met at time of application. Check the job announcement if copies of documents, such as diplomas, transcripts, and/or professional licenses (e.g. Engineering Licenses) need to be submitted. If claiming Veteran’s Preference, you must submit a copy of your DD214-Form 4 within 7 days of filing your application. Mail or drop off copies to the Department of Human Resources, 650 South King Street, 10th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813. Copies will not be returned.

Completed applications and supporting documents are reviewed by the Department of Human Resources to determine whether the applicants’ meet the minimum qualification requirements for the job. Applicants will be notified by e-mail or mail as to whether they qualify for consideration; when and where to report for written tests or other tests (if applicable); and their test results (if applicable).

Applicants may request clarification of their disqualification or re-evaluation of their qualifications with the Examination Specialists within ten calendar days following the postmark/e-mail date of the notice of disqualification or examination results. If unresolved, applicants may file an informal complaint (administrative review) within ten calendar days following the postmark/e-mail date of the Specialist’s notification of examination results. Applicants may appeal the administrative review decision to the Civil Service Commission within 20 calendar days after receipt of the written response to the informal complaint.

Establishment of an Eligible List

Applicants who meet the qualification requirements for the position are placed on an eligible list. The duration of the eligible list period will be noted on the notification to the applicant. Most common eligible list periods are for one year with possibility for extension by the Director of Human Resources. Qualified candidates are placed on the eligible list in descending order, based on their examination scores. Candidates on the eligible list may be contacted by the hiring departments to schedule an interview

Interview and Selection

Personnel from the hiring department with the vacancy will contact candidates on the eligible list to schedule interviews and/or conduct other selection process(es) based on job-related requirements and departmental needs. Keep a copy of your application and bring it with you, along with any other supporting documents on the day of your scheduled interview. Letters of Recommendation, Reference Contact List, etc., will not be forwarded to the hiring department. The department may select any candidate on the eligible list and will notify each person interviewed of the department’s decision. A candidate who fails to demonstrate interest in employment or is not available for employment may be removed from the eligible list and will not be considered for future vacancies.

Interviewing candidates from the eligible list does not preclude consideration of qualified City employees who are eligible for work injury placements, promotion, demotion or transfer, and former City employees for re-employment. City department heads have the right to fill a vacancy through these and any other procedures established by Civil Service Rules and Regulations.

Employment Suitability Evaluation

To determine the selectee’s employment suitability, the Department of Human Resources will conduct an evaluation of employment suitability including reviewing information from the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center.

In addition, the selectee may be required to:

complete a City medical examination, if applicable
pass a drug test, if applicable; and
provide original documents to verify identity and employment eligibility.

Start Date

If all pre-employment clearances have been met, the hiring department will coordinate a start date with the selectee.

Is there a probationary period?

Yes. Once hired, a 6-month initial-probationary period is in effect. A probationary period may also be extended under certain circumstances.

Note: Police and Fire have initial probationary periods of 12 months due to the nature of their job requirements.