Jobs

Hiring Preferences That Strengthen Our Community

The City of Long Beach understands that a workforce with deep roots in the community will inherently bring a higher level of care, understanding, and dedication to serving its needs. This hiring approach is not just about filling positions but instead about fostering a culture of opportunity, inclusivity, and mutual investment in our community’s future.

Who qualifies for hiring preferences? 

How are they implemented?

During the application process for classified job opportunities, applicants will have the option to indicate if any hiring preferences apply to them. Job bulletins will specify when a position is eligible for preference points.

Candidates must first meet the minimum requirements, such as passing the initial screening and any required assessments, before preference points can be applied. Candidates who do not meet these minimum requirements or fail the assessments are not eligible for the position, regardless of hiring preferences. Candidates who successfully pass the screening and assessments will receive additional preference points. They will receive five points for meeting one localized hiring preference and up to ten points if they meet two or more localized preferences. 

Veteran preferences are applied separately and may be combined with localized preferences. Qualified Veterans may receive up to 25 additional points, further enhancing their eligibility for a position.

Note that these preference points and procedures apply exclusively to classified job positions.

For more information regarding the hiring preferences please contact out Talent Acquisition Help Desk by calling (562) 570-7008 or emailing HR-TalentAcquisition@longbeach.gov.

Eligibility Criteria FAQs

• Long Beach Residents

  Eligibility: Candidates who are residents of Long Beach at the time of application are eligible to receive 5 additional points.

  Verification: Residency listed on the application must fall within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Long Beach.

• Graduates of Local Institutions

  Eligibility: Candidates who have graduated from higher education institutions located within a 10-mile radius of Long Beach and within Los Angeles County will receive 5 additional points.

  Verification: Candidates are required to attach their official transcripts or a copy of their degree to both this questionnaire and their government jobs application, as applicable.

• Internal Candidates

  Eligibility: Candidates currently employed in a non-career capacity with the City of Long Beach who have completed at least 1,500 hours of service within the last two years will receive 5 additional points.

  Verification: Candidates must attach official records or documentation confirming the completion of service hours, such as timekeeping records.

• Internship/Apprenticeship Experience

  Eligibility: Candidates who have completed at least 1,000 hours of internship or apprenticeship experience relevant to the position within the last two years are eligible for 5 additional points.

  Verification: Proof of participation should be provided, such as a letter of recommendation, certificate of completion, that outlines a description of key responsibilities, skills gained, hours completed, etc., per the standards listed below. This can be flexible depending on the nature of the program.

  Qualifying Criteria for Internship/Apprenticeship:

  To ensure consistency and fairness, the following standards will be used to evaluate eligibility. All programs must be reviewed and approved by the Human Resources Director or designee:

  • Relevance to Position: Experience must be related to the job applied for. Transferable skills and broader professional development will also be considered.
  • Duration & Hours: Minimum of 1,000 hours completed within the last two years. This can include full-time, part-time, or project-based work.
  • Learning Experience: Program should include meaningful learning, mentorship, and/or skill-building experiences. Remote and informal arrangements are acceptable if they meet learning criteria.
  • Employer Reputation: The experience must come from a credible source (e.g., recognized organization, business, or community initiative). Accreditation is not required, but programs must have defined structure and goals.
  • Compensation: Paid, stipend, and unpaid internship opportunities are eligible, provided they offer substantial learning value. Apprenticeships must be paid.
  • Proof of Participation: Acceptable documentation includes letters summarizing responsibilities, skills gained, and hours completed, as well as certificates of completion. Please see the Internship & Apprenticeship Guide (insert link) for more information.

  For more information please see our Internship and Apprenticeship Preference Points Guide.

• Veterans

  Definition: A veteran is any person released or discharged under honorable conditions (honorable or general discharge) from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces or Coast Guard.
  
  Eligibility: Veterans who pass the examination will receive 10 additional points.

  Verification:

  • A copy of the DD-214 Member 4, “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,” is required.

• Disabled Veterans

  Definition: A disabled veteran is a veteran possessing at least a 10% service-connected disability certified by the Veterans Administration.

  Eligibility: Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or more (as certified by the VA) will receive 15 additional points.
  
  Verification:

  • Copy of the DD-214 Member 4
  • Official VA disability rating statement certifying at least 10% service-connected disability

• Spouses of Disabled Veterans

  Definition: A spouse of a disabled veteran is the spouse of a disabled veteran with at least a 10% service-connected disability certified by the VA.

  Eligibility: Spouses of veterans with a qualifying disability rating (10% or more) who are not eligible for employment, while the veteran is qualified, will receive 10 additional points.

  Verification:

  • Veteran’s DD-214 Member 4
  • VA disability rating letter or official certification
  • Valid marriage certificate
  • Current military identification card

• Un-remarried Spouse of Deceased Veterans

  Definition: An unremarried spouse of a deceased veteran is the unremarried spouse of a veteran killed in action or who died from service-connected injuries.

  Eligibility: Spouses of veterans who were killed in action or died from service-connected injuries or illness and who have not remarried will receive 10 additional points.
  
  Verification:

  • Veteran’s DD-214 Member 4 or VA letter awarding death benefits if death occurred during service
  • Valid marriage certificate
  • Current military dependent ID card
  • Death certificate verifying service-connected death

Implementation & Process FAQs

• Do internships/apprenticeships need to be with the City of Long Beach or within city limits?

  No. Internships and apprenticeships do not need to be completed with the City of Long Beach or within city limits. Eligibility is based on the criteria outlined above, not geographic or employer affiliation.

• Do fellowships qualify under the Internship/Apprenticeship preference point category?

  Fellowships are typically not eligible for preference points under the apprenticeship/internship category. Fellowships can qualify if they meet the criteria used for internships or apprenticeships—such as minimum hours, relevance to the role, and verifiable learning outcomes. But they don’t automatically qualify due to differences in purpose, structure, and documentation. Eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

• Can applicants submit the preference points form once and it be applied to multiple jobs?

  No. Applicants must submit a separate form for each job application. This ensures a review process specific to each role.

• Can applicants be disqualified if the information they provide is inaccurate?

  Yes, but only from receiving preference points. Applicants will not be disqualified from the entire recruitment process, but if their preference point documentation is found to be invalid, the points will not be applied.

• Are preference points applied to promotional job opportunities?

  No. Preference points apply only to open competitive or non-competitive recruitments, not promotional opportunities. 

• Will applicants be notified if they receive preference points?

  A general notification will be sent to applicants informing them of the outcome. For specific information regarding total points and categories applied, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition help desk at 562-570-7008.

• Can preference points change the outcome of my ranking on the eligible list?

  Yes. Preference points are added after a candidate meets the minimum requirements screening and passes the examination. Preference points can affect the final score used to determine eligibility list banding for competitive recruitments. For non-competitive recruitments, there is no banding, however eligible candidates will be placed at the top of the list for consideration by time of application submission.

• Are preference points automatically applied if I qualify?

  No. Applicants must submit a Local Preference Points Questionnaire with their application to be considered. Points are not awarded retroactively or automatically.

• Will my application be delayed if I submit the Local Preference Points Questionnaire?

  No. Submitting the form does not delay the application process. The form is reviewed in parallel with your application.

• Is there a deadline to submit the Local Preference Points Form?

  Yes. The form must be submitted by the final filing date of the job posting. Late submissions will not be considered.

• Do preference points guarantee I’ll be selected for the job?

  No. Preference points may improve your band on an eligible list but do not guarantee selection or advancement in the process. Final hiring decisions are made by the department based on interviews, references, and other factors.

• Can I appeal if I believe my preference points were not applied correctly?

  Yes. You may contact the Human Resources department to request a review of your preference points’ determination.

• How many local hiring preference points can I be awarded?

  Candidates who qualify and pass the exam may receive: 5 additional points if they meet one localized preference and up to 10 additional points if they meet two or more localized preferences. Veterans and disabled veterans may combine both Veterans points with Local Hiring Preference points up to a maximum total of 25 additional points.

• Does a PO Box address in Long Beach count as proof of residency?

  No, a PO Box in Long Beach would not qualify.