Applying for a Position

Permanent Positions

The City of Arcata only accepts applications for positions in which a recruitment is currently being conducted. If you are interested in being notified when there are job vacancies at the City, please sign up for Job Opportunity notifications.

When applying for an open recruitment, an application packet can be obtained online.

All interested candidates must complete and submit a City of Arcata employment application packet. Applications that are illegible, incomplete or received after the deadline will not be considered. Please do not submit additional materials, such as resumes, letters of recommendation, transcripts or training certificates with your application. These materials will not be considered during the screening and evaluation of your qualifications for the position, and are usually discarded. You may attach additional sheets only if it is a continuation of the information being requested on the application form. For example, if you need to continue your work experience information, you may attach additional pages listing information in a similar format as what is on the original application materials.

Applications will be screened to evaluate the qualifications of each candidate. Those applicants whose qualifications demonstrate the most directly related experience and/or training will be invited to take part in a competitive testing process, which may include written, oral and/or practical performance examinations. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not necessarily guaranteed advancement to the examination process, as only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate. All applicants will receive written notification of the results of the screening process.

Part-Time, Seasonal, Temporary & Volunteer Positions

You will find these opportunities posted on our Job Opportunities page, generally, each of the City's departments (view organizational chart (PDF)) recruit their own part-time, seasonal, temporary, and volunteer employees. If you are interested in part-time, seasonal, temporary, or volunteer work within any of the departments, you can also contact each department either in person, by phone, by email, or by mail. 

Equal Employment Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation

The City of Arcata is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, material status, sexual orientation, age disability or on any other non-merit factors in its process of recruitment, selection, promotion or other conditions of employment.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable efforts will be made during the examination process to accommodate people with special physical or mental requirements. If special accommodations are necessary, please contact Personnel, at 707-822-5953, prior to the testing date.