Public-sector jobs open for Knoxville residents - what worked for you?

I found several public-sector postings with benefits and a steady schedule. I worked as a procurement assistant before this. Some need a short exam. Do they prefer local residents?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.

The exam was simple, mostly clerical skills. Practice material is usually on the same website.