What is the Bridge to Jobs Program?
The Bridge to Jobs Program (BRIDGE) provides an alternate pathway into City civil service positions. These positions are full-time, paid, and provide on-the-job training. BRIDGE provides individuals an opportunity to be randomly selected for referral to City departments in order to participate in their hiring process and be considered for entry-level jobs. The main difference between this program and the Targeted Local Hire Program is that the Bridge to Jobs Program seeks to hire individuals to semi-skilled classifications, rather than entry-level positions. As the positions are semi-skilled, candidates must provide proof of one (1) of the following three (3) requirements in order to be eligible for the program:
- Graduation from a U.S. high school, G.E.D. or equivalent from a U.S. institution
- Approved Certification
- A passing score on the City’s Aptitude test
Candidates hired through the Bridge to Jobs Program are appointed to a training classification and are exempt from civil service during this period. Employees in training classifications are appointed into temporary training positions where they may be employed for a maximum of five (5) years. All trainees hired through the program must successfully complete the on-the-job training period in order to move forward to the applicable “Assistant” classification. Upon appointment to the applicable “Assistant” classification, individuals will need to successfully complete a civil service probationary period. Once the probationary period is successfully completed, the candidate is transitioned to full-time regular civil service employment. Please note, this process does not apply to those hired as Inspector Trainees or Investigator, who must pass a civil service examination within five (5) years of being hired in order to be appointed to a full-time City civil service classification.
Who is the Program for?
TARGETED POPULATIONS. Though anyone may apply, the Bridge to Jobs Program seeks to target and recruit individuals from the vulnerable and underserved populations below:
What Kind of Jobs are Available?
Bridge to Jobs Program candidates may choose to apply for Accounting Clerk Trainee, Communications Information Representative Trainee, Community Services Representative Trainee, Customer Service Specialist Trainee, Electrical Craft Helper Trainee, Field Engineering Aide Trainee, Maintenance and Construction Worker Trainee, Cement Finisher Worker Trainee, Traffic Painter and Sign Poster Trainee, Inspector Trainee, or Investigator Trainee. Trainees must pass an on-the-job training period, and then a six (6) month probationary period prior to full civil service transition. Inspector Trainees and Investigator Trainees are the only classification in BRIDGE that must pass a civil service examination within five (5) years of being hired in order to be appointed to a full-time City civil service classification. During this period, Inspector Trainees and Investigator Trainees are provided robust on-the-job training and are assisted with preparing for exams.
Initial hire to any of these positions offers:
- Full-time employment
- At least $19.00 an hour
- Benefits (health, retirement, and commute options)
- On the job training & development
Applicants need:
- Interest in one of the City career pathways below
- To be deemed "job ready" by one of the BRIDGE Program's Referral Agencies
- Legal right to work in the U.S.
- Proof of one (1) of the following three (3) requirements:
- Graduation from a U.S. high school, G.E.D. or equivalent from a U.S. institution
- Approved Certification
- Passing score on the City's Aptitude test
- In accordance with Los Angeles City Ordinance 187134, candidates must meet the minimum requirement of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive an exemption and report their vaccination status prior to being hired by the hiring City department. The ordinance is available at https://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2021/21-0921_ord_187134_8-24-21.pdf
- Additional requirements may apply
Available Job Pathways:
* Note: additional promotional opportunities may be available through other City civil service exams and career ladders, including lateral opportunities.
For more information regarding careers offered in the Bridge to Jobs Program, please see our BRIDGE Career Ladder Poster
How Do I Apply?
All candidates for both the Targeted Local Hire Program and the Bridge to Jobs Program must participate in a job readiness assessment/screening and be deemed job ready by a Referral Agency. If deemed job ready, candidates will receive a signed Agency Referral Form. If deemed not job ready, candidates have two options: 1) Enroll with an Application Site to obtain additional supportice services in order to become job ready or 2) Seek additional supportive services in order to become job ready.
After being deemed job ready and obtaining an appropriately signed Agency Referral Form, candidates must contact an Application Site to schedule an LA Local Hire Program Orientation & Application Session. During the session, approved candidates will receive an orientation to both programs and submit their online Program Application(s). Applicants without a valid Agency Referral Form or referral code (unique code assigned at the Application Sites) will be disqualified.
Those who wish to apply to the Bridge to Jobs Program must also provide proof of one (1) of the following three (3) requirements:
- Graduation from a U.S. high school, G.E.D. or equivalent from a U.S. institution
- Approved Certification
- A passing score on the City's Aptitude test
Bridge to Jobs candidates should make sure to bring a copy of their High School diploma or equivalent, or approved certification, to their Application Site session. If you wish to qualify by taking the City’s Aptitude test, you will indicate this on your online application, and will be sent information on how to schedule yourself for either exam shortly after your submission.
To schedule an appointment with a Referral Agency, click here to find the location nearest you.
For information on how to apply and next steps, please see our BRIDGE Pamphlet
How Am I Selected for Hire?
APPLICATION POOL & RANDOM SELECTION. Once a program application has been approved, it is placed into the Applicant Pool. When vacancies are available, departments will request a list of candidates to consider for hire. Candidates in the Applicant Pool are then randomly selected* to be referred to the department for hiring consideration.
* The Application Pool is split into two Tiers. Tier 1 consists of those candidates who have identified as one or more of the above targeted categories; Tier 2 are candidates who do not identify or choose not to identify in any of the targeted categories. When a City department has an entry-level vacancy to fill, it may request a Referral List from either Program. Staff will filter the Application Pool based on the candidate's job preferences (as indicated on the Program Application). From the filtered list, candidates will be randomly selected. The Referral List provided to the department will consist of 80% Tier 1 applicants and 20% Tier 2 applicants. For example, a Referral List of ten (10) randomly selected candidates will have eight (8) - Tier 1 candidates and two (2) - Tier 2 candidates. The Referral List is then forwarded to the City department for hiring consideration.
There is no guarantee of a referral or a job under these Programs. Staff is unable to indicate a timeframe for when an applicant would potentially be referred or even hired, as it is all based on available vacancies and random selection. All applications in the Pool will be valid for one year; approximately thirty days before the expiration date, candidates will be notified by e-mail of their renewal options.