L&I Employment Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
If the answers provided do not satisfy your needs, please feel free to email your question to the Staffing Services Division at
RA-LI-BHR-Career@pa.gov. Be as specific as possible in order to get the most accurate answer.
How do I apply for Civil Service tests?
The State Civil Service Commission develops and administers all Civil Service tests for the Commonwealth. Go to
www.scsc.state.pa.us to view and register for Civil Service exams that are currently open. You can submit an application and register on-line for most exams. New exams are opened periodically. If you do not see the job title you are looking for, you may want to check back and watch for it to open. You may also call Civil Service at 717-787-7811 to find out when a job title may be opening.
What does MET stand for?
Minimum Experience and Training (MET). This is the minimum experience and training that a person must have in order to be qualified for a position. You can find the MET on the job posting or on the Civil Service test announcement for the job title for which you are applying. Applicants must meet the MET to be considered for that job title. The State Civil Service Commission makes the final determination of a person’s qualifications.
I took the exam and got my score, when will I be contacted about the job openings?
When a vacancy exists, the hiring office may request a Civil Service list to fill the position. That means that the office will use the information from the lists to generate an availability survey for you to fill out indicating if you are available for that particular position. If you receive an availability survey, you must return it by the date specified, or your name may be removed from that list. If you return your survey in time, are available for the position, and meet the scoring requirements set forth by the Civil Service Commission, you will be considered for an interview. You may or may not be contacted for an interview, depending on the option that the hiring office uses to fill the position.
What positions are open in a specific county?
All L&I Civil Service covered jobs are posted on the State JobNet at
http://jobnet.scsc.state.pa.us, along with Non-Civil Service jobs at pay range 5 and below. You can also view these job vacancy announcements at any Human Resources Office, nearest PA CareerLink, or State Civil Service Commission office. Links can be found on the L&I Web site,
www.dli.state.pa.us.
Can you explain the parts of a Job Posting/Job Vacancy Announcement and what they mean?
- The first section gives the general information about the job that is posted, including the job title, bargaining unit information, hours of work and the position description.
- The second section lists the Recruitment Methods. This includes all options under which candidates can be considered. The following are definitions of the options:
- Seniority Promotion – Most senior person in the next lower class in the seniority unit.
- Seniority Unit lateral – Same classification as the vacancy, in the same seniority unit.
- Civil Service Lists – Anyone who has taken and passed the Civil Service Exam.
- Promotion without examination – must have held regular Civil Service status in one or more of the job titles specified under the Eligibility – Promotion Without Exam section of a job posting for a minimum of 1 year without a break in service, must not have received discipline above a written reprimand during the past 12 months, and must meet the MET.
- Reinstatement – Held regular Civil Service status the same pay range or higher. No dismissals from Commonwealth employment. Must meet MET, have held the job title, or be in the job series (ex. HR Analyst 1, 2, 3.).
- Transfer (Lateral) – Same classification, anywhere.
- Reassignment – Same pay range, different classification. Must meet the MET.
- Voluntary Demotion – Higher pay range willing to demote. Must meet the MET.
- Eligibility – All Candidates: Indicates what any person must have in order to be considered for the job. This also includes the MET.
- Eligibility – Promotion without Exam: Indicates what job titles a person must have held in order to be considered for a promotion to this position. It also defines the criteria applicable to the candidate and recruitment area restrictions in which candidates must be currently employed.
- How to Apply – All Candidates: Includes application materials to be submitted and instructions on how to apply for all candidates in order to be considered for the vacancy.
How do I know if I will qualify for a Job Posting? I don’t want to waste my time if I’m not going to qualify.
Review the Recruitment Methods for the posting. Each method is described in the question above. If you feel that you may qualify, you can submit the application materials specified in the “How to Apply” Section.
Once you submit your application materials, HR will review your job history, as well as your qualifications, against the posting criteria and MET to make a preliminary determination. The Civil Service Commission has the final authority on qualifications for job titles.
If you are unsure if you qualify, please contact the analyst indicated on the posting.
Did your agency receive my application information for a position I applied for?
Please contact L&I’s Staffing Services Division at 717-787-6374 to verify receipt of applications in response to Job Vacancy Announcements. Please have the position number available when you call.
For information regarding applications for Civil Service testing, please contact the Civil Service Commission at 717-787-7811, or use the on-line application tool at
www.scsc.state.pa.us.
I applied for a job, when would I be contacted for an interview?
After the posting period ends, BHR forwards the names of eligible candidates to the hiring office as options for filling the posted position(s). Management has the option of interviewing from any one or a combination of recruitment options listed on the posting. Interviews may be scheduled several weeks after the end date of the posting. You may or may not be contacted for an interview, depending on the option that the hiring office uses to fill the position.
How will I know when interviews have been scheduled?
The program area in which the vacancy exists is responsible for scheduling interviews. Management has the option of interviewing from any one or a combination of recruitment options listed on the posting. Please contact Human Resources at 717-787-6374 for further information. Please have the position number available when you call.
I'm not a Commonwealth employee. How do I find out what positions you currently have open?
The majority of positions within L&I are Civil Service Covered. You can visit the State Civil Service website at (
www.scsc.state.pa.us) to apply for Civil Service exams.
You can also visit any State Agency’s Human Resources office or visit your nearest PA CareerLink Office.
Why do I have to submit another Civil Service Application when there is already one on file?
The Civil Service testing process and the job bidding/application process are handled separately and for different purposes. Since an applicant’s information may change over time, an agency will often ask for a completed application to be sure that the most recent and up-to-date information is available to determine your qualifications. Applications received for a vacant position are kept by the agency with the file for that position. Unless otherwise specified on the posting, a separate application is required for each position you wish to apply for.
Since I am already an employee with Labor & Industry, is it necessary to submit all the information that is requested on the Job Posting?
Yes. You must submit all of the paperwork indicated on the posting if you wish to be considered for the vacancy. We request new applications to be assured that we have the most recent and up-to-date information to determine your qualifications.
Why are Employee Performance Reviews (EPR) and/or Civil Service Applications required for some position postings and not others?
EPRs are required for all competitive promotion without exam candidates to verify the Civil Service meritorious service requirements of the posting. Civil Service applications are necessary to identify qualifying experience. BHR determines what application materials are necessary to be able to determine whether or not an applicant meets the eligibility requirements of a position.
Can I e-mail my information to the office?
The Department of Labor & Industry does not accept email applications. Applications must be mailed or faxed to the location indicated on the posting.
How do I apply for reinstatement?
You have several options.
You can take the test for the job title that you previously held or any other job title which you meet the MET by visiting a Civil Service Commission office or the Civil Service website at
www.scsc.state.pa.us. If you meet the requirements and receive a passing score on the exam, your name will go on the Civil Service list for consideration.
If you held Regular Civil Service Status in your former position, you may also apply to Job Vacancy Announcements for job titles at the same or lower pay range. You must meet the current MET for the job title. Job Vacancy Announcements can be viewed by visiting your nearest PA CareerLink, State Civil Service Commission office, or any Agency Human Resources office.
I received an email response to my bid but no information was provided. Is there anything else I need to do?
If the email indicated you are eligible to interview for the position, you do not need to do anything – stay tuned. The hiring office where the vacancy exists may be contacting you for an interview.
If you received notification that you are not eligible, you will not be contacted for interview. If you feel that the determination was made in error, you may contact the analyst indicated on the posting to further discuss your qualifications.
NOTE: Managers may choose to interview from any or all of the available legal hiring options provided to them.
Why am I not eligible for promotion into a position? I meet the MET and the requirements of the posting, but they say I’m not in the seniority unit.
Positions that are Non-Entry Level and covered by a collective bargaining agreement, or union agreement, require candidates be within the next lower classification within the designated seniority unit. Of those candidates, the person with the greatest seniority days is the one who can be considered for the position. The seniority unit is the identified organizational and geographical area that holds similarly situated individuals. Seniority units are determined and agreed upon by the appropriate unions.
I meet the minimum experience and training (MET) for a particular job title; however the job title I am currently in is not listed in the Promotion Without Examination Section on the posting. How can I be considered for this job?
The agency determines which lower job titles are a logical career path into particular positions. If your current job title is not listed as a promotion option, you cannot be considered for Promotion Without Exam for the position.
If this is a job title you are interested in, you should apply for the Civil Service Exam when it is open, as well as any other job titles for which you qualify. Testing information can be found at
www.scsc.state.pa.us.
I am currently in a Non-Civil Service position. Why am I not eligible to apply or bid on Civil Service positions? I have state government experience, why do I have to take a test for a Civil Service job?
The Civil Service is a merit-based system where positions are filled based on the ability to do the job, as determined by the Civil Service Commission. As such, it is illegal to place individuals into Civil Service positions unless they have been deemed qualified by the Commission.
If you never held Regular Status in a Civil Service position, then you must register and take the Civil Service exam for any job titles for which you are interested in and qualify. Testing information can be found at
www.scsc.state.pa.us.
Does the internship/trainee program provide the training to obtain the certifications/qualifications needed for the job, or do I need them when applying?
Even though this is a trainee/intern position, you must meet the MET requirements for the job title. The MET for the job will indicate which criteria you must meet when applying and when entering the job. Typically, all MET requirements must be met prior to your appointment date, and you will be asked to furnish proof of eligibility.
The test announcement will indicate if certifications are required at the time of application or obtained during the probationary period.
I have an interview, but I don’t know where to report, or what date/time I was scheduled for?
Please reference the Availability Survey/Interview notice you may have received for the job. If you are not able to locate that information then please contact L&I’s Staffing Services Division at 717-787-6374 for assistance. Please have the position number available when calling.
Who can I talk to about my paycheck?
Please contact L&I’s Staffing Services Division at 717-787-6374 and someone will assist you.
Does L&I provide parking?
Employees who are interested in parking at the L&I Building at 651 Boas Street, Harrisburg may submit an application to the department’s Parking Officer. They will be placed on a waiting list for parking. Parking is provided at many other locations across the state. Please feel free to ask this question at an interview.
My check did not get deposited; whom can I speak to?
If you made changes to your account or bank information via ESS, you may receive a paper check. Direct deposit should restart with your next paycheck. If you continue to receive paper checks, or for any other paycheck problem, please contact L&I’s Staffing Services Division at 717-787-6374 for assistance.
I need to speak with someone about my Unemployment Compensation check.
A listing of phone numbers, mailing addresses and FAX numbers for the UC Service Centers is available on the L&I Web site,
www.dli.state.pa.us. Select your local area on the state map, select your county from the listing, and scroll down to UC Benefit Services.
If the answers provided do not satisfy your needs, please feel free to email your question to the L&I Staffing Services Division at RA-LI-BHR-Career@pa.gov.
Be as specific as possible in order to get the most accurate answer.
