(1) The commission shall, from time to time, hold public competitive examinations to ascertain the fitness of applicants for all positions in the classified service.

(2) Notice of the time, place and general scope of every examination shall be given by the commission by publication in a newspaper of general circulation and printed and published in the county, once each week for two consecutive weeks. Notices shall also be posted in three public places in the county, one of which shall be the office of the commission, for not less than two weeks prior to the examination.