What happens after I submit my application form? How can I find out the status of my application?
I applied for an examination and was qualified. Are there study materials for the test?
What should I do if I need a special accommodation for the test?
I am scheduled to take a test. What should I bring with me to the test?
I applied for a test but cannot make the scheduled test date. Can I request a make-up test?
Is there a dress code for tests?
I recently took a written test. When can I expect to receive my results?
What should I submit to receive veterans’ preference points?
I received a letter saying I passed a recent examination. What happens next?
Frequently Asked Questions (with Answers)
No. You must submit a separate application for each job in which you are interested.
No. The District does not accept applications for classifications that are not currently open for filing.
If you are interested in a classification that is not currently open for filing, you should consider submitting an interest card for that title. This will ensure that you are notified
the next filing period for that classification opens.
In almost all cases examinations are offered every three years. One exception is the Assistant Engineer classifications which are typically offered every year.
If you don’t want to miss the next filing period for that position, please submit an interest card and you will be notified when the next filing period for that position opens. Click
here to submit an interest card now.
What happens after I submit my application form? How can I find out the status of my application?
All communication with applicants during the selection process will be by email. It is the applicants' responsibility to check their email for important notifications from the District during the selection process.
Your application will be reviewed by a Human Resources Analyst. If you meet the minimum requirements, you will receive an admission letter
by email that you should bring to the test. The letter includes the date, time and place of the exam, along with a contact phone number.
If you do not meet the minimum qualifications for that examination, you will receive an
email stating you are not qualified to take that examination and the reason for that decision.
You should receive notice of your qualified/not qualified status no later than one week prior to the test date. If you have not received any notice from us, please contact the Employment Service Office at 312-751-5100,
prior to the test date.
I applied for an examination and was qualified. Are there study materials for the test?
Typically, the District does not distribute or recommend study materials for a test. You can refer to the section on the job announcement titled “The Examination.” This section lists the knowledge, skills and abilities that will be represented on the test. Your local library may be helpful in providing study materials.
What should I do if I need a special accommodation for the test?
Reasonable accommodation will be made for qualified individuals with a disability in accordance with applicable laws. Requests for testing accommodations are to be made within one week after the close of the filing period for that particular examination. See Information for Applicants Requesting Accommodation For Disabilities or call the Employment Services Section of the District at (312) 751-5100 or (312)751-5170.
The District does not reimburse candidates for their travel and expenses during the examination process. Applicants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements.
I am scheduled to take an examination. What should I bring with me to the test?
You must always bring your admission letter and a current driver’s license or other form of photo identification to the test. Your admission letter will describe other materials (calculators, etc.), if any, that you should bring to the test site. No books, study guides, cell phones, tablets, PDAs, laptops or other aids will be allowed in the test rooms.
I applied for a test but cannot make the scheduled test date. Can I request a make-up test?
The District does not offer make-up tests for written tests. (Rare exceptions will be considered for military or religious reasons.)
Is there a dress code for tests?
There is no dress code for taking a test at the District. However, the following are recommendations for dress at the various types of tests:
Written tests – casual or business casual
Oral tests – business attire, similar to that which would be appropriate for an interview
Performance tests – attire appropriate for the work that would be performed in that type of job (refer to your schedule letter for any specific instructions)
I recently took a written test. When can I expect to receive my results?
You should receive your written test results via email approximately six weeks after the test date. If an examination has more than one test (ex. a written test followed by an oral or performance test), you will not receive your written test score or any individual test score until the entire examination process is completed and the eligible list is posted.
What should I submit to receive veterans preference points?
The District grants veteran’s preference points to qualified veterans in accordance with Illinois State Statute. You will be required to complete a veterans’ preference form and attach a copy of your DD214. For more information regarding veterans’ preference and to print a veterans’ preference form, click here.
An eligible list contains the names of individuals who participated in and passed all steps in the examination process for that classification. To be on an eligible list means that you are eligible for hire in that specific job class for as long as the list is valid. A list is usually valid for three years.
The eligible list is divided into three categories: A (Exceptionally Well Qualified), B (Well Qualified) and C (Qualified). When the District has a vacancy in that job class, candidates in the highest category on the eligible list are contacted first for the next step of hiring, which is usually an interview. In instances where an Original Entrance eligible list and a Promotional (for current employees) eligible list exist for the same classification, it is the District’s practice to appoint only from the Promotional eligible list until all names on that list have been considered. For general questions regarding an eligible list, contact the Employment Service Office at 312-751-5170.
Yes. The upcoming examination will produce a new eligible list to replace the current one upon its expiration. In order to be placed on the new eligible list, you must apply for the classification again and compete in the examination process with all other eligible candidates, as you did previously.
I received a letter saying I passed a recent examination. What happens next?
Your passing score on the examination will place you in one of three categories on the eligible list for that classification: A (Exceptionally Well Qualified), B (Well Qualified) or C (Qualified). When a vacancy occurs in that classification, candidates in the highest category will be considered first. If you are in the highest category, you will receive notice (usually by
email) that the District will be interviewing for that position. There will be a contact name and number for you to schedule your appointment.
If you are not in the highest category, you will simply remain on the eligible list until the District interviews in your category and you get hired, or until the list expires.