FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Where can I find available positions for the Lafayette Consolidated Government?
   Available positions may be found on the LCG website Employment Openings page and are posted on the bulletin board at City Hall, outside of the Civil Service office.
   
   
2. How do I apply for a position?
   You may access and print an application from the LCG website employment page.  You may complete the application online; however, you must print the completed application, include an original signature, and return it to the Civil Service office.  Applicants must show proof of social security number and proof that they are 18 years of age or older at the time of application for the application to be accepted. If you are not a United States citizen, you must have permission to work in the US as issued by the Department of State. Proof of these items is required when the application is returned to the Civil Service Office at 705 West University Avenue, Lafayette, LA.  Faxed and emailed applications will not be accepted; nor is LCG able to accept online applications at this time. 
   
   
3. When is the deadline for returning an application?
   The application deadline (date and time) may be found on the top of the application. The deadline for accepting applications is either noon on the deadline date OR once the specified number of applications has been received.
   
   
4. May I turn in an application that can be utilized for future position openings?
   No. Civil Service only accepts applications for positions that are currently open.
   
   
5. Can I submit a resume instead of an application?
   No. To be considered for any position, you must complete and submit the application for that position.
   
   
6. Does every position require a test?
   Yes. Civil Service Rules require that all applicants are tested. Examinations may take the form of a written test, a performance test, a ratings of education and experience, or a combination of these.  Written tests are administered at the Civil Service office; you will be notified of the time and date of written tests at the time you submit your application with the required identifying documents (see question 2 above).  Check-in for written tests is 15 minutes prior to the time of the test.  For performance tests or ratings of education and experience, you will be notified at a later date of the testing schedule.
   
   
7. Are study guides available?
   No. Study guides are not available for any tests given by the Civil Service Office. Examinations are job-related and based on the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position; you may review these in the class specification included in the application packet.
   
   
8. I have taken the State Civil Service test. Can these scores be used?
   No. The State Civil Service system and City-Parish Civil Service system are not related. You must apply and test for each LCG/City-Parish position for which you wish to be considered.
   
   
9. What happens after I take a test?
   Tests are carefully analyzed and scored soon after they are administered. Applicants will receive a letter in about a week to ten days indicating their scores. A score of 70 or above is considered passing. The top five names, including ties, will be certified and sent to the department where the vacancy exists. It is the department’s responsibility to conduct interviews and make a selection from the certified list.
   
   
10. How long do test results remain active?
    Test results will remain active for a period of 3 months. When a position becomes available, the Civil Service Office will use the list that is currently available. If a current list is not available, the office will advertise for the position. 
    
    
11. I have passed an exam. Do I get an interview?
    If your score is among the top five (5) scores plus ties, your name will be added to the register and will be sent to the department filling the position. The supervisor where the vacancy exists will conduct interviews and make any recommendation for employment.
    
    
12. Do I get extra points if I am a veteran?
    Yes. Applicants providing a DD214 and having served 90 consecutive days of active duty with proof of honorable discharge will be awarded five points to a passing score.
    
    
13. If I want to apply for more than one job, do I have to complete more than one application?
    Yes. Since each position is tested separately, you must submit an application for each job for which you wish to be considered. There is no limit to the number of jobs for which you may apply.
    
    
14. Is there a probationary period?
    Yes. All newly-hired employees must complete a 6-month working test. During this period the employee shall not have the right to appeal to the Civil Service Board if terminated. Upon completion of the working test, the employee becomes a regular employee of the Classified Service.
    
    
15. Where do I find a pay range for a position?
    Class titles and pay range minimum, midpoint, and maximum may be found in the Civil Service Rule book under Rule IV, Pay Plan.
    Click here to view the Pay Scale Listing
    
    
16. What is a pay range?
    The pay range is the range of pay rates, from minimum to maximum, established for a pay grade or class, typically used to set individual employee pay rates.
    
    
17. What is a midpoint?
    Midpoint represents the middle of a given pay range.
    
    
18. What are "Special Necessary Qualifications"?
    For some classes, there are requirements which must be met in order to qualify.  Examples include a specific college degree, a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), or a specific professional license or certification.  If you do not possess the indicated special necessary requirement, you will either not be eligible for consideration or for appointment dependent on the specific necessary requirement.
    
    
19. When are new jobs posted on the LCG website and Civil Service bulletin board?
    Positions open to the public are typically posted Fridays at approximately noon; however, some exceptions may apply.