When you become a priority one of the first things that needs to be sorted out is which jobs you will be referred to. This is done by determining what group and level or what classification and level would be appropriate for you.
The Public Service of Canada uses "group" to organize jobs into job families. As an example, under the Aircraft Operations (AO) group are all the jobs that deal with the operation of aircraft including: inspectors
(AO-CAI), test pilots (AO-ETP), and helicopter pilots (AO-HPS).
The codes that come after AO indicate the classification. On the government job search website only the classification and the level are listed. Knowing the group is important because it helps you to understand the broad family of jobs that the position you are looking at falls under, but also different groups have different unions and collective agreements. Here is a reference guide to the different groups that are found within the public service.
Since there are no limits to the occupational groups and levels to which a person with a priority entitlement is allowed to be appointed to,* it is important to familiarize yourself with the various groups, classifications and levels found within the public service.
Using this link you will find a chart that looks like this:
The column called definition, has a link where you can review each of the classifications that you believe you may be able to apply your priority status to.
You should notice that there are over 200 classifications of jobs. If you don't know which ones are the best fit for you, a representative from HR will make that decision for you. You are much better to go into a discussion about your priority status well researched and prepared to justify why you should be included in a classification and level.
Level indicates a numeric range, generally from 1-8, although most classifications will rarely have levels that high. As an example CR02 or a CR05. These two jobs are in the same classification but the higher the level, the more complex the job. A CR02 may be responsible solely for data entry, where the CR05 would provide a wide range of clerical duties.
It isn't just enough to know the classification system. You also need to know how many of those types of jobs are available in your area. Since a priority entitlement is anywhere from one to five years, you do not want to be waiting for a job that will never come. Use the search archives tab (next to the help tab) to search the classification and level you are interested in.
As an example you may believe that the Financial Management classification (FI) is a good fit, but when you do your research you discover that in the last 5 years 90% of all jobs in that classification were found in Ontario and you are in Vancouver. All of a sudden being an FI02 priority is not very attractive! You may discover that there are many more opportunities at the AS03 level in your region or city.
Another important aspect to become familiar with is the educational standards for the various groups and classifications. You will have to meet the minimum standard always, and a manager may choose to set a higher standard than the minimum. As an example if the position is entry level, but the person who fills it can only move up to the next level with a degree, graduation with a degree may be required.
Again using the search archives feature you can determine if manager typically set the standard to the minimum or if in some groups the standard is raised.
This research is a critical part of being successful as a priority hire in the public service.
Feel free to ask questions.
*the only exception is a reinstatement priority who cannot be promoted
No comments:
Post a Comment