How to Apply

All applications for City Employment are completed online on our applicant site. If you need assistance with setting up your Account Profile or with the application process, please see our Applicant Guide (PDF).

For those who do not have access to a personal computer, computers are available at all Chesapeake area libraries. If you have a problem accessing the applicant site, please email the Department of Human Resources.

How to Apply for a Position with the City of Chesapeake

The City of Chesapeake accepts applications only for positions which are currently advertised. Employment information is posted on our applicant site and is updated daily. You will receive a confirmation number upon successfully submitting your electronic application to any of our current open positions. If you do not receive a confirmation number, your application is not active and available for consideration.

If a job vacancy is posted with a specified closing date, an application for the position must be submitted successfully (confirmation number received) by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date indicated. All questions must be answered on the application. Please type "n/a" next to any question that does not apply to you. 

Scheduled exams for Police and Fire Entrance process are advertised in the same manner as regular City positions. Interested persons may want to review the list of automatic disqualifiers (Police Department applicants or Fire Department applicants) prior to completing an application to take a police or fire entrance examination. You can also visit the Police or Fire Department's website for more career information.

When You Will Hear Back

Candidates are evaluated on the basis of relevant education, experience, and desired skills and abilities. The hiring department will interview the most suitable applicants from the applicant pool. If you require an accommodation for the interview or to perform in the position, you must complete a "Request for Reasonable Accommodation" form, available in the Department of Human Resources. (A reasonable accommodation is any modification or adjustment to a job or work environment that will enable a qualified applicant to participate in the hiring process, or will enable a qualified employee to perform the essential job functions).

Following the interview portion of the process, the hiring manager will notify the selected candidate. The candidate will be asked to complete paperwork for several background checks. These background checks may include, but are not limited to, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Fingerprint check, a search of the National Sex Offender website, fingerprinting, Child Protective Services background check, a Division of Motor Vehicle transcript, a copy of your diploma or transcript, and two employment verifications.

**Please Note*** If the position requires you to have a CDL license,  a full query will be run in the FMCSA Clearinghouse website. Prior to coming to HR for background checks, please make sure you have registered as a “CDL Driver” in the FMCSA Clearinghouse website: https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov and you have recently updated your information.

Once an offer of employment has been extended and accepted, the hiring department will notify all candidates who were interviewed but not selected via email.

Further Information

 If you do not have your Social Security card, you should apply for a replacement card immediately with the Social Security Administration Office.

Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act, you must provide evidence that you are either a citizen of the United States or an authorized alien before you can be employed with the City of Chesapeake.

The City of Chesapeake maintains a drug and alcohol-free workplace. Applicants for certain positions must test negative for drugs and alcohol in order to be hired. In accordance with the City's Substance Abuse Policy (AR 2.44), job applicants who have previously been denied employment with the City of Chesapeake due to a positive drug or alcohol test shall be ineligible for employment with the City for a period of three years following the date of the positive test.

In compliance with Federal and State employment opportunity laws, qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or the presence of a non-job-related medical condition or disability.