Division of Personnel FAQ
Have a question about a career in state government or are you seeking information about a human resources topic? Please view the list of frequently asked questions from the Division of Personnel (DOP) below:
Employment
- How do I apply for a job in a state agency?
- Why should I pursue a career in state government?
- Do I have to be a West Virginia resident or U.S. citizen to obtain employment?
- Do I have to take a test?
- Are degrees required to obtain employment?
- What is a DOP-covered agency, and what types of positions does it have?
- What benefits do state employees receive?
- Do classified-exempt employees receive the same benefits as classified employees?
Employee Training Opportunities
- I work in the State government. What training is available to me?
- How do I register for a DOP training class?
- How do I un-enroll from a DOP training class?
- How do I receive a certificate for DOP training I have completed?
Employee Human Resources Topics
- I work for a state agency and need to take some time off for surgery or medical treatment. What type of leave can I take?
- I work for a state agency; can I take time off to care for an ill or injured family member?
- I am in the military. Does the State provide leave to soldiers who are ordered to duty or are engaging in a service-related activity during work hours?
- I’m a State employee who was injured at work. What do I need to do to report my injury?
- How do I request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
- To whom may I report allegations of workplace harassment and/or discrimination?
- Does the State have an assistance program to help employees experiencing personal concerns?
- Can a State employee run for state or national election or hold a position in another paid public office?
- Where can I find DOP’s laws, rules, and policies and other guidance?
- I am a classified employee who believes I am performing duties outside of my job classification. What should I do?
- I am a classified employee and I do not agree with the classification determination. Can I appeal?
- What is the difference between reallocation and reclassification for classified employees?
- What is the basis for requesting a review of a position?
- I want to review the class specifications for jobs in the State of West Virginia.
Employment
1. How do I apply for a job in a state agency?
Individuals interested in a career in state government should visit the DOP job board to search for open positions. Select the job(s) that interest you and click the “APPLY” button in the upper-right corner of the job posting. For more information or assistance, the DOP’s Staffing & Recruitment section may be reached at 304-414-1852 or applicantservices@wv.gov.
2. Why should I pursue a career in state government?
Working in public service lets you directly improve your community, solve large-scale societal challenges, and gain strong job stability with solid benefits like health insurance and retirement options. A career in state government also offers personal and professional growth opportunities backed by flexible options and a generous leave package.
3. Do I have to be a West Virginia resident or U.S. citizen to obtain employment?
West Virginia residency is not required for most positions. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in this country.
4. Do I have to take a test?
The job announcement will clearly state if a test is required. Please read the job announcement carefully for details relating to that specific position. Many state jobs require only that you submit an application or resume for review. For those requiring an examination, it is necessary to take a test. Instructions for taking the test online will be sent to you immediately upon application.
5. Are degrees required to obtain employment?
Demonstrated skills, functional expertise, and relevant hands-on experience can qualify candidates for positions even when formal degree requirements are listed, provided the job posting permits experience substitution. Click here to learn more about DOP's commitment to skills based hiring.
6. What is a DOP-covered agency, and what types of positions does it have?
A DOP-covered agency is a State agency or affiliated local health department whose employees fall under the Division of Personnel (DOP) merit system. These agencies have two main types of positions:
- Classified: Positions fully covered by DOP merit system rules, including competitive hiring, the DOP pay plan, probation, layoff rights and the State grievance procedure.
- Classified-exempt: Positions that DOP groups by job title and duties but that are not covered by merit system rules.
A list of covered and non-covered agencies is available here.
7. What benefits do state employees receive?
State government employees receive a wide range of benefits designed to provide peace of mind and work-life balance. More information about available benefits may be found here.
8. Do classified-exempt employees receive the same benefits as classified employees?
Certain provisions in the DOP's legislative rules and policies apply only to classified positions and not to classified-exempt positions. However, certain policies, rules, and benefits pertain to classified and classified-exempt employees. A list of the benefits or regulations available to each type of State service is available here.
Employee Training Opportunities
1. I work in the State government. What training is available to me?
The DOP offers education and training programs covering a wide range of topics. For more information, see the Training and Education webpage.
2. How do I register for a DOP training class?
You can enroll in a class by going to onlinelearning.wv.gov and searching for it in the Course Catalog. You can also contact dopregistrar@wv.gov by email.
3. How do I un-enroll from a DOP training class?
The DOP prefers that participants unenroll from courses rather than simply not showing up on the day of the training. You can unenroll by going to onlinelearning.wv.gov, selecting the “i” icon next to the course, and selecting “Unenroll”. You can also contact dopregistrar@wv.gov by email.
4. How do I receive a certificate for DOP training I have completed?
You will typically receive a digital certificate for completing a class. This will arrive in your State email inbox within a few days of the last day of the training. You may also contact dopregistrar@wv.gov if you want a certificate to be sent again to you.
Employee Human Resources Topics
1. I work for a state agency and need to take some time off for surgery or medical treatment. What type of leave can I take?
Eligible employees can use multiple types of leave if they are ill, injured, or have medical appointments. These include accrued paid sick and annual leave, as well as medical leave provided under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the DOP’s Administrative Rule (143CSR1). Employees who have exhausted all accrued paid leave may also qualify for wage replacement through the Donated Leave Program.
For additional information about medical leave options, eligibility under federal and State leave laws, or the Donated Leave Program, please contact your human resources designee or the Employee Relations section of the DOP. You may also visit Paid Leave Information and Forms and DOP Administrative Rule.
2. I work for a state agency; can I take time off to care for an ill or injured family member?
Employees can use accrued paid sick leave, family sick leave, and annual leave to care for an immediate family member as defined by the DOP Administrative Rule who is ill, injured, or has medical appointments. Employees may also be entitled to leave under FMLA or the State of West Virginia Parental Leave Act for an immediate family member with a qualifying condition. Employees who have exhausted all accrued paid leave may also qualify for wage replacement through the Donated Leave Program.
For additional information about medical leave options, eligibility under federal and State leave laws, or the Donated Leave Program, please contact your human resources designee or the Employee Relations section of the DOP. You may also visit Paid Leave Information and Forms and DOP Administrative Rule.
3. I am in the military. Does the State provide leave to soldiers who are ordered to duty or are engaging in a service-related activity during work hours?
It is the policy of the State of West Virginia to facilitate the military activities of our employees and to comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended. Qualifying employee service members hired for permanent employment may be eligible for paid and/or unpaid leave on days when they are engaged in eligible military service. For more information, visit the Military Leave Forms, Information, and Rights webpage.
4. I’m a State employee who was injured at work. What do I need to do to report my injury?
Notify your supervisor immediately so the incident can be reported to the State agency workers' compensation provider. A network medical provider must complete a First Report of Injury - Employee Physician Claim Form within 24 hours and no later than five (5) days of the injury. State employees and agencies may find information regarding the claims process by clicking here.
5. How do I request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA is a civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination in various areas of public life. It ensures equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in telecommunications, transportation, public accommodations, employment, and government services.
State employees should contact their agency human resources office or agency Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Coordinator or Counselor to request an accommodation under the ADA, West Virginia Human Rights Act, federal and State of West Virginia Pregnant Workers Fairness Acts, or the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections Act (PUMP). Click here for a list of state agency EEO Coordinators and Counselors.
Click here to learn more about the laws, regulations, and standards under the ADA.
6. To whom may I report allegations of workplace harassment and/or discrimination?
If you believe you have experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation due to your race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information, the DOP and the State of West Virginia Equal Opportunity Coordinator (EOC) may be able to assist you.
State employees who have concerns about illegal harassment or who wish to request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact their agency’s designated Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Coordinator, EEO Counselor, or Human Resources office. A list of agency EEO Coordinators and Counselors is available here. Click here to learn more about EEO compliance and enforcement.
7. Does the State have an assistance program to help employees experiencing personal concerns?
The Employee Referral Program (ERP) provides State employees and their families with resources to obtain assistance for a variety of personal problems. Assistance agencies and programs provided in the ERP include Grief and loss, Addiction and recovery, Mental health, Parenting or eldercare support, Financial issues, and Crisis and Disaster Response. The ERP and other available resources are provided here.
8. Can a State employee run for state or national election or hold a position in another paid public office?
State employees classified under the DOP merit system are prohibited from certain political activities, including being a candidate for an elected position or holding a paid public office.
Information regarding permitted and prohibited political activities for classified employees within agencies of the State of West Virginia or county or municipal agencies affiliated with the DOP may be found here. Classified-exempt and exempt employees should also check with their agency to see whether it has policies governing political activities.
9. Where can I find DOP’s laws, rules, and policies and other guidance?
You can access a wide range of guidance materials on the DOP’s website. This includes DOP laws, rules, and policies such as the Administrative Rule, along with leave forms and other helpful resources. The site also features dedicated Employee Resources and Agency Resources sections to support common workplace needs.
10. I am a classified employee who believes I am performing duties outside of my job classification. What should I do?
You should complete a Position Description Form and submit it to your supervisor. Click here for a Learning Blast that provides guidance on completing Position Description Form.
11. I am a classified employee and I do not agree with the classification determination. Can I appeal?
Yes, you and/or your agency can appeal your classification determination by completing a Classification Determination
Appeal Form.
12. What is the difference between reallocation and reclassification for classified employees?
A position reallocation occurs when the Division of Personnel assigns a position to a different classification due to significant changes in the duties and responsibilities assigned to the position. A reallocation is always limited to a single position.
In contrast, a reclassification occurs after the Division of Personnel, in consultation with affected agencies, conducts a classification study and creates a new class or class series. The new class or class series must be approved by the State Personnel Board and then each affected position is reclassified by the Division of Personnel. Note that a reclassification involves new classes, actions by the State Personnel Board and generally involves multiple positions. Sometimes a reclassification study may involve an entire agency or multiple agencies.
For more information, please see the Compensation and Classification webpage.
13. What is the basis for requesting a review of a position?
When new and significantly different duties are added to or deleted from a position the agency should have a new Position Description Form completed and sent to the Division of Personnel. If the agency fails to do this then the employee may submit the Position Description form on their own. But, remember, the Position Description Form requires that the immediate supervisor complete parts of the form. Also, the agency head or designee must certify and sign the form. If the required signatures are not on the form, then the Division of Personnel will return the form to the agency for certification and signature. By rule, the Position Description Form is the official description of the duties assigned to the position.
For more information, please see the Compensation and Classification webpage.
14. I want to review the class specifications for jobs in the State of West Virginia.
To review class specifications, visit Class Specifications Listing on the DOP Job Board and use the search bar to search by key word.