Our hiring process

What is the city's approach to hiring?

The City of Vancouver strives to attract, hire and retain the best candidates so that we meet not only our organizational objectives, but continue to maintain the high standards of service expected by the citizens of our community. To support this goal, the city's hiring philosophy is based on several key principles:

• Our hiring process is open and equitable for all candidates.
• We hire the best candidate that meets the qualifications required for the position.
• We value candidates who reflect the diversity of our community (AE-001-02) Employment Equity - Recruitment.
• We support the integrity of our hiring process with policies relating to the hiring of relatives (AE-022-01) Hiring and Employment of Relatives, employment checks for designated positions (AE-025-01) Positions of Trust - Hiring and Employment and health and safety regulations (AE-010-2) Occupational Health and Safety – Employment.

Steps in the hiring process

To make it easier for candidates to find the type of employment opportunity that best meets their interests, skills, expertise and experience, the city has separated its hiring processes into two areas: current employment opportunities and additional employment opportunities.

The following information briefly explains both hiring processes.

Hiring process - current employment opportunities

Current employment opportunities refers to our currently ‘posted' (advertised) positions. Hiring for posted positions occurs as follows:

1. The position is 'posted' for a specified period of time
2. Managers receive and screen applications to create a short list of candidates
3. Only short-listed candidates are contacted and scheduled for interviews
4. Interviews are conducted – sometimes a second interview may be required. Most interviews are conducted by a panel of staff who will ask questions based upon a prepared set of questions specific to the position for which you have applied.
5. Final candidates are selected.
6. Reference and / or other qualifications checks, employment checks (such as police and credit checks - if a requirement of the position) are completed before an offer of employment is made
7. If checks are cleared, an offer of employment is made.

To find out what's new in current employment opportunities or how to apply for them, visit our employment page.

Hiring process- additional employment opportunities

Examples of additional employment opportunities at the City of Vancouver include:

• Short-term temporary and on-call opportunities
• Temp pool (clerical / administration)
• Auxiliary
• Seasonal
• Trades and labourers
• Vancouver Police Department
• Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services
• Vancouver Parks and Recreation
• Vancouver Public Library

These opportunities are specific to the area of the city that is recruiting, are unique in nature and therefore require their own specific hiring processes. When and how you apply, how you are interviewed and hired will vary depending on the type of position for which you apply. To find out more, visit our employment page and select the type of work you are interested in.

If I am interviewed – how will I find out about the results?

Candidates who are interviewed will be contacted by a hiring manager or supervisor regarding the outcome of their interview.

If you are the successful candidate, a verbal offer of employment will be made that will provide detail on the terms and conditions of employment and any other information that may be important to assist you in making your decision to accept the offer. Once you have verbally accepted the offer, a written offer of employment will be provided.

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