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Job Application Guide

Managing Your Job Application

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Thank you for your interest in employment with the Oregon Department of Transportation. We recommend you review the resources on this page before you submit an application.

Our team of recruitment consultants is here for you each step of the application process. Job announcements include the direct contact information for the assigned recruitment consultant under the "Need help?" section of the announcement.

ODOT does not offer Visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to complete the United States Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the United States.

ODOT Application and Career Matrix
How to Check Your Job Application Status
Current Job Openings


Our recruitment consultants include important information in each job announcement. Below is an overview of the type of information you should expect to find in our announcements. 

Each announcement will start with the following information:

  • Classification title and working title of the position.
  • Our agency name (ODOT).
  • The organizational structure of the position – the division, branch, section, unit, etc.
  • Where the position is located.

The role

This section will include a summary of the position.

What’s in it for you

There are a lot of benefits to working at our agency – this section will highlight a few.

A day in the life

This section will include a list of duties and working conditions. If you would like to request a copy of the complete position description for the open position, this section will include instructions for doing so.

What we need or Minimum qualifications/Special qualifications​

This section will include the minimum qualifications and any special qualifications for the position. An example of a special qualification is requiring a driver license for a position that requires travel to complete the job duties.

For a complete list of job classifications at the state of Oregon, visit:

Department of Administrative Services’ Classification & Compensation website​

​What we’d like to see

We post the specific scoring criteria that the hiring manager will use when reviewing applications to choose whom to move forward. If you have these qualities or attributes listed in this section, let us know by ensuring that you clearly show the specific type(s) of experience, education, skills, training, etc. in your submitted application materials.

How to apply

Please carefully read this section in the announcement so that you are aware of the required attachments and specific instructions for applying. Any/all job history, education, licenses or other qualifications you want us to review must be included in your application or resume. Depending on the recruitment, a hiring manager may require a cover letter.

  • Fill out the application or attach a resume: Your submitted experience fields or attached resume must include dates (MM/YYYY) for each employer and skills/duties for each work experience.
  • Attach a cover letter: Attach a cover letter that follows the directions listed in the job announcement. Directions may include addressing your cover letter to a specific person, a page limit or including in your cover letter how you specifically meet the desired attributes listed in the announcement under the “What we'd like to see" section. If a cover letter is not required in the “How to apply" section, we will not review any submitted cover letters.

Need help?

Our recruitment team is here to answer your questions. Applying for a job and have questions? Call or email us. The direct contact information for the position’s recruitment consultant will be listed in this section.

Additional information

We share important information in this section related to the position and overall employment with the agency.​​​​

Job announcements and our online applications are available at www.odotjob​s.com​. When you find a position you would like to apply for, click “Apply” in the top right corner of the application. You must have a valid email address to use our electronic application system.

We only accept application materials for currently posted positions. We do not accept unsolicited resumes and applications. ​

Completing your Application

When filling out your application, please note the following:

  • Read the job announcement and the online application carefully and answer all questions. ​
  • Fill-in all required fields on the electronic application.
  • We recommend that you include all your education and experience in your application materials, even if you think it is not directly related to the position for which you are applying.
  • There is no need to submit transcripts, letters of recommendation or other documents unless we specifically request them. We will not consider any documents we do not request.
  • Make sure your application clearly shows how you meet the position’s minimum and special qualifications and the desired attributes listed in the announcement.
  • Carefully review your application to make sure you filled it out completely.
  • We recommend that you save a paper or PDF copy of your application materials before submitting your application.
  • We cannot accept any application materials submitted after the application deadline.
  • If you would like to verify that your application was submitted correctly, please contact the recruitment consultant listed in the announcement.

If you are a veteran, you may receive preference in employment. The task to claim preference will come after you submit your application through our website.​

For privacy reasons, please do not attach your DD214/DD215/civil service preference letter to your application or combine it with any other required document attachments.

If you have any questions, contact the recruitment consultant listed in the specific job you are applying for listed under the “Need help?” section of the announcement.

More information about veterans' preference​​​

Following the application deadline, recruitment consultants review application materials for the minimum qualifications and any special qualifications for the position.

​Following the review process, recruitment consultants send the list of qualified candidates to the hiring manager.

Hiring managers review the application materials for the scoring criteria listed in the announcement under the “What we’d like to see” section. We may also use other factors to help us decide who will move forward, such as transferrable skills, experience, education, and alignment with ODOT values​. Following this review step, the hiring manager invites the highest scoring applicants to interview for the position.

Interviews

During the interview process, we will ask a variety of questions from our agency question bank to help us learn more about you and your experience. We may also ask questions that are not included in this question bank.​

The STAR method of behavioral interviewing course is an excellent guide for answering behavior-based questions. Learn how to respond with real life examples on how you’ve handled past situations by completing the STAR Method of Behavioral Interviewing course in Workday.

If you find you cannot access the course, you can register using the ODOT affiliation link. Once registered, return to this page and use the course link to enroll. Visit the Extended Enterprise Learner Resources webpage or ODOT Extended Enterprise Learner​ webpage if you have questions or need login help.

Interviews can be conducted in person or virtually via video or audio. Virtual interviews can be live or recorded (depending on the hiring manager's preference). If you are selected for a video interview, here are some helpful tips: 

Video interv​iewing - helpful ti​ps for applicants​​​

Reference and Background Checks

All final applicants, including internal applicants, are subject to reference and background checks. The following additional background research or verification may be necessary:

  • Review of criminal convictions (please note that criminal convictions will not necessarily disqualify you from employment);
  • Motor vehicle driving records;
  • Random or pre-employment drug screening for positions that require a commercial driver license.





Need to Request an Accommodation?

ODOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer and committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation during the application/interview process by calling 1-877-EEO-ODOT (336-6368).

Contact our Human Resources Team with questions about the application or selection process. You can also call the number listed on the job announcement for the position(s) you are interested in.

 
 

Contacts

HR Customer Service
355 Capitol St NE, MS #12
Salem, OR 97301

ODOT Recruitment

Salary & Job History Verifications
ODOT Financial Services
355 Capitol St NE, MS #21
Salem, OR 97301

  • Telephone503-986-3900
  • Fax503-986-3907