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Civil Service Careers

The City of Somerville fills vacant positions of Police Officers and Firefighters through the Massachusetts Human Resources Division, Civil Service Unit as required by the State of Massachusetts. For more information on Civil Service testing or to apply for a test, please go to mass.gov/civilservice.

Police Officers and Firefighters are employed through the Massachusetts Human Resources Division, Civil Service Unit as needed. After the examination and certification of candidates by the Massachusetts Resources Division, which gives preference to Veterans, the City of Somerville utilizes the Residency Preference system allowed by Massachusetts law for new hires to police officer and firefighter positions. Preference is given to candidates who reside in Somerville for one year prior to the date of the civil service examination. Veterans Preference is provided for appointment to Civil Service positions to veterans as per the Massachusetts Civil Service System.

The Hiring Process

Job candidates should know where they stand in the hiring process. This section outlines the steps we take to make the best hiring decisions. 

  Apply

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  Initial Interview or Screening

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We’ll contact candidates we’d like to talk to further and schedule one of the following:

An initial interview with the hiring panel.

A phone screening.
 

  Final Interview or Assessment

  Conditional Offer & Onboarding

Things to Know Before You Apply

The City of Somerville has several policies and programs in place to ensure the safety and growth of our staff. Please review this section before you apply for any of the City of Somerville’s job openings:

Where can I find open job opportunities? 

Navigate to the “Current Job Openings” tab and click the link to view current openings.  

Do you require a cover letter when applying online?  

Each position has different requirements. Review the job application when applying, there will be a section to paste your cover letter if that is required. 

Do you offer relocation support? 

Currently, we do not offer relocation support. 

COVID-19

The City of Somerville requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, effective November 1, 2021. Human Resources will review exemptions and reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Exemptions and reasonable accommodations are not guaranteed

State Ethics Training 

The Massachusetts Ethics Commission requires all state, county, and municipal employees to complete online conflict of interest law training every two years. You will be required to complete this training as part of the onboarding process. The City of Somerville is also required to provide you with a summary of the conflict of interest law within 30 days of your start date and yearly after that. You will need to sign a written acknowledgment that you received the summary.  

Remote/Hybrid Work

Most employees have transitioned to working onsite full-time. The City of Somerville does not have a remote/hybrid workplace policy, but department heads can grant permission to work a hybrid schedule on a case-by-case basis. 

Professional Development 

As a City of Somerville employee, you’ll receive routine training on employment-related policies and best practices. 

We also encourage department heads to work with staff with staff for participation in job-related programs for continued larning, growth and prfessional engagement. 

Employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement may be provided opportunities and incentives for advancing education and professional growth as outlined in the appropriate agreement. 

Does the City of Somerville sponsor visas?  

The City of Somerville does not sponsor visas currently. 

What are City Hall business hours?

City Hall hours are Monday - Wednesday 8:30am-4:30pm; Thursday 8:30am-7:30pm and Friday 8:30am-12:30pm.

Can I receive feedback on my job application?

We do not provide feedback on individual applications at this time.

How can I be sure that the City of Somerville received my job application?

After completing an application for a position online, you will receive a generated confirmation email from the City of Somerville letting you know your application has been submitted.

Question?

Email careers@somervillema.gov if you have questions or want to check the status of your application. Please include your full name and which position you are inquiring about in your email.

Benefits

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About Employee Benefits 

The City of Somerville provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to ensure that its employees are happy, healthy, and prepared for life changes and challenges. Explore the information below to learn more about each piece of the City's benefits package. 

Benefit Highlights

• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) 
• Dental coverage with low and high plans through Cigna 
• Vision care through the Vision Service Plan (VSP) 
• Long-term disability through Sun Life 
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual 
• Flexible spending plans through Benefit Strategies 
• Deferred compensation through a choice of three vendors 
• Employee assistance through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health 

In addition, the City of Somerville's benefits package includes other discounts and perks with vendors such as Working Advantage, Hubway, Zipcar, and multiple mobile providers.

Employee Guidebook & Policies

Applicant Resources

Tips for an Effective Remote Interview 

Remote interviews have become more common as a part of the interview process at the City of Somerville. Most of these interviews will take place through communication platforms like Microsoft Teams or Zoom. We recognize that this may be an unfamiliar interviewing method for many - below is information on logistics and tips to help you have a seamless remote interview!  

If you have any inquiries regarding your upcoming interview, don't hesitate to reach out to your Recruiter for clarification or should you need to request an accommodation.  

Logistics: 

• When your interview begins, the facilitator will introduce the panelists and provide you an outline of the interview process, including the allotted time.  
• At the interview's conclusion, the panel will set aside time for you to ask any questions you may have! 

Speaking Protocol Tips: 

• Ensure that your microphone is muted when you are not speaking to prevent any background noise from interfering with the speaker. 
• Stay attentive to potential lags or glitches during the virtual interview. If such instances occur, don't hesitate to request the individual who was speaking to repeat themselves!  

Test your equipment ahead of time.

• If you’ll be joining your interview on a platform you’ve never used before, make sure to familiarize yourself with the platform ahead of time so you feel prepared and confident! 
• Test your internet connection before your interview.  
• Test your audio and video ahead of time.  
• Use a microphone/headset, if possible, for clearer audio and to minimize noise distractions.  

Eliminate distractions.

• Use a computer instead of a phone (when possible).  
• Find a quiet space where you will not be interrupted.  
• Aim to find a space with the least amount of clutter in the background. 

Check your lighting. 

• Find a space with good lighting (such as facing in front of a window!  
• If you have a desk light, position it towards your face so you’re clearly visible. 

Show up for success (be poised and professional).  

Interviewing through a remote platform like video or phone limits the ability to communicate through body language and (sometimes) be as engaged as you would be in an in-person interview. It’s important to present yourself in a poised and professional manner. Below are some suggestions! 

• Consider your non-verbal communication (body language, eye contact, hand movements, etc.).  
• Be engaged, focused, and present; this shows the interview team that you're interested in the position and learning more about the company. It is helpful to take notes during your interview and jot down the interview questions being asked so you can refer to the questions. 
• Dress for success! Remote interviews should be treated as a formal in-person interview and so it is best to dress professionally. If you are unsure, business casual is usually appropriate.