Application Q & As

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Getting started

• Why should I create a profile?
  • A profile is like an online resume that you use specifically for City of Vancouver opportunities. There are several benefits to creating and maintaining a profile:
  • Once a profile is created all you have to do is maintain it; i.e. create once, then update it when details change;
  • Applications are easy to submit because all data that you include in your profile (work experience, education, contact information) is saved in your profile
• How do I create a profile?
  • First, you need to register.
  • From the Employment home page, click the appropriate button:
    
    for external candidates or
    for current employees.
  • Then click the button. Enter the necessary information. You will receive an email with your new password, and we recommend you change your password as soon as possible.
  • On your successive visits, click the button. If you have not 'released' your profile, a notice will appear informing you that your profile is 'locked' until you release it. Click 'Close' to view and update your profile then use the "Overview and Release" tab to release your profile for viewing. Click on each tab to enter your data. If there is a "Save" or "Transfer" button at the bottom of a page, ensure you click it. For your profile and application to be viewable by a recruiter/manager, you must 'release' it for viewing (use "Overview and Release" tab).
    
    
• As a City employee, what information do I need to register?
  • If you are a City of Vancouver employee, you will need to enter the following information as it is found on your pay advice: employee number (e.g. 00012345), first name, last name, the day and month of your birth (used to validate your registration - your year of birth is not required). Enter your City e-mail address if you have one, or use a personal e-mail address.
• What if I don't have a computer at home or at work?
  • Computers with internet access are more available and accessible than ever before. Check out your local library, internet cafe or community centre. You can also visit Human Resources on the 2nd floor of City Hall (view map) during regular business hours. A computer is available for use by City of Vancouver staff or external applicants. Note: to protect City systems, documents cannot be uploaded from any removable devices (e.g. USB flash drives).
• Is my information safe? Who can access it?
  • Profile/application: If you have applied for a specific posting and have released your profile, the hiring manager who is responsible for that specific posting will have access to your data. They may share that data with other hiring managers (i.e. hiring panel) in order to make an informed hiring decision.
  • General Employment Group: Managers who specifically hire for positions found in the General Employment Group will have access to your information. They may share it with other managers when making a hiring decision.
• How do VPL, VPD, Ray-Cam and Britannia employees register and/or apply for jobs?
  • The Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver Police Department, Ray-Cam and Britannia are considered separate employers, so their employees will register and apply for City jobs as if they are external candidates.

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Applying for a position

• How do I set up my user name?
  • External candidates must select a user name that has a minimum of 8 characters.
  • City employees will have their user names provided for them.
• How do I set up my password?
  • Your password must be a minimum of 8 characters and a maximum of 20 characters. It must include one or more upper case letters (A-Z) and must include one or more numbers (0-9).
• How do I apply for a position?
  • City employees will search for jobs using the tab in their profile. If you find a job you're interested in, highlight the job then click the button. Follow the instructions in the application wizard.
  • External candidates can apply using this method or by clicking on the job title in the Current Employment Opportunities screen, then clicking the button. Note: the application wizard will automatically populate any fields you completed in your profile.
• What days does the City post positions?
  • We post positions on Wednesday and Friday. Eventually, we will post jobs any day of the week (Monday-Friday). Short Term On-Call (STOC) opportunities are updated online any day of the week (Monday-Friday).
  • Be sure to note the deadline or closing date for applications to be submitted. You can view our postings at any time, from any computer that has internet access.
• What is the closing time for a posting?
  • Applications for postings are due by midnight on the day the posting indicates it closes. For example, if the posting close date is noted as Tuesday, applications must be submitted online by midnight (11:59 pm) that day. The system date stamps applications as they are received and unfortunately cannot accept late applications.
• How can you tell that I am a City of Vancouver employee when I apply?
  • If you have registered online using your employee number, and you use this profile when applying for positions, you will be identified as a City employee by your employee number.
• Do I need bidding rights to apply for a position?
  • Employees with bidding rights receive priority for certain positions. Bidding rights are defined as "all regular full-time, temporary full-time, regular part-time employees who have completed six continuous calendar months of employment, and all auxiliary employees who have completed 913 hours of employment within two consecutive calendar years." As of June 6, 2009, temporary full-time employees whose terms ended are now able to apply for posted positions for up to one year from the date that they last worked. If you do not have bidding rights, you may still apply; however, preference will be given to qualified employees with bidding rights. The system has been designed to automatically include the bidding rights of eligible employees as long as they register and apply using their CUPE 15 employee number.
• I work for both CUPE 15 and CUPE 1004, which employee number do I use to register and how do I apply?
  • Employees who work with both CUPE 15 and CUPE 1004 have 2 employee numbers and must create and use 2 profiles (one for CUPE 15 and the other for CUPE 1004). Because the system has been designed to automatically recognize you and include the bidding rights of eligible employees, if you are part of both CUPE 15 and CUPE 1004, you must use the relevant employee number to apply.
  • To apply for a CUPE 15 job, you must register using the employee number shown on your pay advice for CUPE 15 work. To apply for a CUPE 1004 job, you must register using the employee number shown on your pay advice for CUPE 1004 work.
  • How will you know which profile you are using? Your user name is always based on your employee number (e.g. EE00012345). We recommend that once you register and are in your "Candidate Profile" that you identify the relevant CUPE local on your "Personal Data" screen (e.g. enter CUPE 1004 in the 'Middle Name' field).
• How do I find out about the status of my application?
  • By logging into your profile, you can view the status of your applications. Once you are in your profile, click > .
• Can I apply for a position late or past the application deadline date?
  • Once a posting closes, you will not be able to view it online. If you are a City of Vancouver employee, contact your Human Resources Associate to determine if you can submit an application.
• Who is the Human Resource Associate responsible for the position for which I am applying?
  • Engineering Services: Carmel Wilson (City Hall) - 604-871-6777; Daisy Bains-Hundal: National Works Yard - 604-871-6745, Manitoba Works Yard - 604-326-4861
  • Community Services: Gurjit Chand - 604-873-7006
  • Business Planning & Services/Financial Services/HR/Law/City Clerk's Office/City Manager's Office: Cheryl Byrne - 604-871-6244
  • Park Board: Claire Thomas - 604-257-6900
• Can I still apply with a paper application?
  • Paper applications for posted competitions/opportunities will only continue to be accepted at Human Resources, 2nd Floor, City Hall (453 W. 12th Ave. - view map). Applications for Labourer positions can be brought to Manitoba Works Yard (250 West 70th Ave. - view map) or National Works Yard (701 National Ave. - view map). Applications for Fire Fighter postings must be completed online.

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Technical questions

• How do I get help if I am having technical difficulties using the site?
  • If your question is not answered on this page, contact us at info@vancouver.ca
• What if I forget/lose my password?
  • A new password can be sent to the e-mail address that you provided in your profile. Request a new password by clicking on the 'Forgot your user ID or password?' link on the login page.
• I've locked myself out. What can I do?
  • Your account will lock after several failed login attempts. The system will unlock your account the next day. You can also reset your password by clicking the "Password Forgotten" link on the logon menu.
• What happens if I am called away from my computer before finishing my profile/application?
  • For security reasons, your session will time out after 60 minutes of idle time. Please save your changes frequently.
• How do I log out?
  • If you are using this service on a shared computer in a public area (i.e. public kiosk or library), before leaving the computer, it is important that you fully log out of the application and close down your browser. This will ensure that no one else can access any personal information you may have entered.
• What are the system requirements to apply online?
  • Internet Explorer (version 8, 7 or 6) or Firefox (version 3 or 2). Note: If you use a browser that is not listed here, you may experience rendering or navigational issues.
  • Ensure Adobe Reader 7.1 or higher installed
  • Ensure JavaScript is enabled
  • Turn off popup blocker
• Are there any special requirements for Macintosh computers?
  • We recommend using Firefox (version 3 or 2) with the online application system, otherwise rendering or navigational issues will likely be experienced. You will also need to ensure JavaScript is enabled and popup blockers are turned off.