1207 - Hiring Preference for Student Assistants and Internships (Historical View)

Status: Active

Change Notes

DD's fault

Category

Appointments

Audience List

• Administrative Chiefs
• Employee Relations Officers
• Equal Employment Opportunity Officers
• Human Resources Chiefs
• Labor Relations Officers

Synopsis

This policy:

• Describes the hiring preference that must be afforded to certain individuals applying for internships and student assistant positions with the state.

• Provides instructions for departments on how to apply the preference and document hiring decisions in these instances.

Introduction

State agencies have a responsibility to ensure their hiring practices are consistent with statutory requirements, and to provide guidance regarding the provisions of Government Code section 18220, which relates to hiring preference for certain positions in state government.

Statement

Effective January 1, 2017, Government Code section 18220 requires state agencies hiring for internships and student assistant positions to provide preference to qualified job applicants who are, or have been, dependent children in foster care, homeless youth, or formally incarcerated youth.  This preference shall be granted to applicants up to 26 years of age.  For purposes of this section, preference means priority over similarly qualified applicants for placement in the position.

When advertising for an internship or student assistant position, state hiring authorities are required to include the following language until it is added to Examination and Certification Online System (ECOS):

This is a non-testing classification, therefore anyone meeting the minimum qualifications listed on the classification specification may apply for this position.  Individuals who are, or have been, a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth, or a formally incarcerated youth as defined by Government Code section 18220 are encouraged to apply and will be given priority.  If you are applying under this eligibility status, please note on your application your eligibility by stating “preference under Government Code section 18220”. Please note that prior to appointment, individuals claiming preference under one of these categories will be required to furnish documentation establishing their eligibility.

Per Government Code section 18220, applicants are not required to identify a specific category of eligibility. However, prior to appointment, departments should request proof that the applicant falls under the preference category they are claiming.  The specific proof will vary depending on the category, but should satisfy the criteria outlined in Government Code section 18220.

For any applicant who is eligible under Government Code section 18220, and who is not selected for the position applied for, the hiring authority shall document and retain in its records the reasons why the individual was not selected.  This documentation shall be subject to compliance reviews conducted by the State Personnel Board.  The documentation should specifically indicate how the candidate did not meet the published minimum requirements for the position; for example, not furnishing proof of application or enrollment in college for a student assistant position, or not meeting the basic requirements stated for an internship position (e.g., prerequisite work experience or education).

State hiring authorities are also required to continue to follow the guidelines outlined in section 1201 of the HR Online Manual.

Application

Authorities

• Government Code section 18220

Resources

Authorized By

Contact Person

Christina Lopez
Policy Advisor, , Selection Division
Phone: 916-323-0860
Email: christina.lopez@calhr.ca.gov

Superseded Policies