unnecessary_rough's journey

Applied at El Paso County for Stormwater Inspector I/II/III

I have over 12 years of experience in construction and multiple certifications, yet I've faced rejection from a government job twice without even getting an interview. Recently, I applied for a Stormwater Inspector I/II/III position with El Paso County, Colorado, where I believed my extensive background in managing stormwater compliance across numerous residential developments would make me a strong candidate. I tailored my résumé specifically for the role and completed all supplemental questions. However, I received an email stating I didn’t meet the eligibility requirements, which was confusing. After contacting HR, they admitted they had mixed me up with someone else who had a similar name and assured me my application would be considered. A week later, I was rejected again—no interview, no phone screening, nothing. I’ve been hearing rumors that someone already in the department was training a temporary employee around the same time I applied, which raises questions about the fairness of the hiring process. A former County employee also shared experiences of qualified candidates being overlooked for less experienced individuals in supervisory roles, adding to my concerns about favoritism and the overall transparency of the hiring process. To seek clarity, I submitted two Colorado Open Records Act requests for information on hiring criteria and selection procedures. I hope to uncover whether the process was handled appropriately or if there are deeper issues at play. It’s frustrating to see employers claim they want experienced candidates when those candidates often can’t even get an interview. Has anyone else faced similar challenges with government jobs or other employers?