Niagara County Civil Service launches tutorial videos on hiring process

Submitted by the Public Information Office

The Niagara County Civil Service Office has launched a tutorial video series to walk residents through all aspects of the civil service hiring process. The five videos are all available on the Niagara County website at https://www.niagaracounty.gov/employment/index.php.

“We have long believed that some people find the civil service process a bit daunting, and this stops them from applying for positions for which they are qualified,” said Mal Needler, Niagara County’s personnel officer. “And with fewer people signing up these days to take civil service exams and apply for open positions, it has become increasingly harder to fill local government jobs. So, we are looking at all aspects of the process to see how we can better engage the public.”

Needler said that, in conversations with community leaders, hiring managers and other stakeholders, including the county’s ad hoc committee on minority hiring, all thought the idea of tutorial videos on civil service could help simplify the process and encourage more people to apply. The five videos run between 5 and 11 minutes, and cover a different topic, including:

√ An overview of civil service, what it is and how it works in Niagara County;

√ Detailed instructions on how to fill out an online application;

√ The hiring and examination processes;

√ The Rule of Three used for competitive position hiring, with examples of how it works; and

√ How to view exam results, eligible lists, and job specifications.

“Right now, there are nearly 30 job postings on the Niagara County website for jobs with county government that offer good pay and benefits,” Needler said. “If you have been reluctant to pursue these career opportunities because of the civil service process, I hope our tutorial videos will address your concerns, answer your questions and, ultimately, help you complete the application for employment.”