If you have state or county job, I understand it tends to be a bit more secure than having a job at a private company.

A department director of some state agency once told me that it takes 2 years to fire a someone in his agency. I think that is somewhat of exaggeration. Even if it's state job, "At-Will" employment law still applies.

Can anyone shed lights on what is the termination process and its duration for state or county jobs?
TedEx or anyone else: I'm asking about those state of county employees who just applied and got hired. Passed their probation period. They are not contingent, and don't have Union representation. This would describe most of state or county employees. What about those employees? Are they also protected under Civil Service as you say?
I have seen county or state employees who got laid off beyond their probationary period before and during this current recession. Were they protected by civil service???

There are two kinds of government jobs, Civil Service and Political appointment.
If you have a civil service job, you cannot be fired " at will" because you are covered by civil service, and it is almost impossible to fire a govt employee who is covered by civil service.The " 2 years" is not true, but it can and often does, take along , long time.

Now, a political appointment is just that, he is appointed, he is not covered by civil service, and can be fired at will. And many are, whenever there is a new administration in charge.

Most government employees ARE union.
When the employer wants to fire them, they have to folllow the procedures outlined in the CONTRACT.
You know, the one that BOTH parties signed - the employER and the union.

That may take some time, but two years is en exaggeration.
And every contract contains circumstances in which an employee can be fired immediately, such as for theft, drug use, etc.

A layoff is usually because there's not enough for for all employees, and is usually temporary.

A firing is for cause and he employee can not get unemployment benefits.

They are two different things.