LUSD Hiring Process FAQ

What is a Merit System?

A Merit system is a method of personnel management that is designed to promote the efficiency and economy of the workforce and the good of the public by providing for the selection and retention of employees, promotional opportunities, in-service training, and other related matters, on the basis of merit, fitness and the principle of “like pay for like work.”

What are the principles of a Merit System?

• Hiring and promoting employees on the basis of ability, with open competition in initial employment
• Providing for compensation
• Retaining employees on the basis of performance
• Correcting inadequate performance and separating those whose inadequate performance cannot be corrected
• Training employees as needed for high quality performance
• Assuring fair treatment of all applicants and employees in all aspects of personnel administration without regard to political affiliation, race, color, national origin, gender or religious creed and with proper regard for their privacy and constitutional rights as citizens
• Protecting employees against political coercion and prohibiting use of official positions to affect an election or nomination for office

Job interest cards serve the purpose of notifying prospective applicants via email of job openings that pique their interest. Prospective applicants can avoid having to check and re-check the website for openings; they can merely fill out a job interest card and receive notifications for any job category(s) of their choosing.

Job Interest Card Online

Each job requires the submittal of its own application. However, a single application can be stored online in the Neogov system and adapted for each job.

If an applicant fails an examination, he/she must wait 90 days to retake the examination, if the recruitment for the position is still open.

Applicants will be contacted approximately two (2) weeks after the recruitment period for the position has closed. Recruitment periods generally last three (3) weeks, for a minimum of fifteen working days.

For test preparation information, including links to free test preparation and test taking practice websites click HERE. Public libraries are also a good source for reference materials. Below is the contact information and hours of operation for the Lynwood Public Library:

Veterans are allowed an additional five points (or ten points if disabled as the result of military service) for military or related service rendered during time of war or national emergency, to be added to the final passing score in an “open examination.” This does not apply to promotional opportunities.

Promotional applicants who successfully complete all parts of the examination process for these positions shall have seniority credits added to their final overall passing scores in the amount of one-half (1/2) point for each year of service with the District to a maximum of ten (10) points (20 years).

A number of variables factor into the duration of the examination process (e.g., ability to recruit interview panel members). Generally, the examination process can be expected to be completed in 90 days.

The examination process will commence approximately two (2) weeks after the closing of the recruitment period for that position.

Within three (3) weeks following the examination, applicants will receive either a pass/fail letter, disqualification letter, or a letter inviting them to the next phase of the examination process.

A rank number is an applicant’s position on the eligibility list in the order of their relative merit, according to their combined point total from all examinations.

The eligibility list shall become effective upon approval by the Personnel Director, but shall be presented to the Personnel Commission for formal approval at its next regularly scheduled meeting (following completion of the selection process). Once approved, an eligibility list shall remain in effect for a period of one (1) year.

Rank numbers can change when applicants ahead of you are interviewed, selected, and/or rejected, thus meaning that they have been taken off the list.

All eligible applicants with the same total score will be considered as having the same rank. It must be noted: rank is NOT the same as number. Though an applicant may be ranked second, he/she is not necessarily the second of three people that will receive an invitation to a selection interview. Again, a particular rank can be given to more than one eligible applicant.

An applicant that completes and passes two examinations will assume a rank on the eligibility list according to their combined point total from all examinations. Applicants in the top three (3) ranks of the eligibility list receive an invitation to the selection interview.

Applicants on the eligibility who do not receive an invitation to interview will remain on the eligibility list, to be called for future vacancies as they occur. Once approved by the Personnel Commission, an eligibility list shall remain in effect for one (1) year.

Applicants on the eligibility who are not selected yet and who have not been rejected will remain on the eligibility list, to be called for future vacancies as they occur. Once approved by the Personnel Commission, an eligibility list shall remain in effect for one (1) year. To be considered for a position after a year (after the eligibility list has expired) you will be required to re-test for the position to be placed on the list.

Applicants will receive a call from a Classified Personnel staff member notifying them that they have been selected for a position, at which point they have the option of either accepting or declining the offer. Applicants can decline twice before they are removed from the eligibility list.

To view your application, check the status of your application, and view examination dates/time, please use your NEOGOV/GovernmentJobs Username and Password to log onto www.governmentjobs.com (click “Career Seekers”).