Working for a local government offers stability and good benefits, say promoters
Brian Morton, Vancouver Sun
Published: Saturday, June 07, 2008
If you're looking for a job with good pay, great benefits and plenty of opportunity -- and who isn't? -- then a career in local government might be right up your alley.
To help promote these jobs, a new website called "CivicJobs.ca" was recently launched that's aimed squarely at people who might never have considered local government as a career option.
Although the new site is now focused on B.C., other provinces are expected to come on board in the coming months.
CivicJobs.ca, based in B.C., is planned to be the first cross-Canada website offering jobs in local government.
"The variety of jobs is absolutely incredible," CivicInfo BC executive-director Todd Pugh, who helped set up the new website, said in an interview. "There are parks and recreation, engineers, city managers, planners, accountants. There are 60 different professions in local government. There's a shortage of skilled workers [and] there are over 180 different local governments in B.C. We're absolutely starved for qualified people. There's a world of opportunity there right now."
The new website contains a wide array of job opportunities, from management positions to clerks, electrical technicians, groundskeepers, firefighters and carpenters.
The website, launched in March, includes general information for job-seekers new to municipal government and current and archived job postings searchable by province, employer, location, or employment category.
Pugh, whose website civicinfo.bc largely serves people already employed in local government, said the new website greatly broadens the pool of employees seeking civic work.
"CivicInfo BC's primary audience is people who already work in municipal governments and regional districts. We weren't getting enough members of the public using it."
Pugh said there are many reasons to take a job with local government. "The first thing is it's personally rewarding. You're working for your community and that's wonderful. And there's a variety of work available. The opportunities for movement within and across municipalities are there."
Pugh also cited the personal benefits of working for local government. "Generally speaking it's very good pay, living wages, very solid jobs."
Pugh said the website is not just aimed at people out of college or university, but also "people who are contemplating a career change."
He said he doesn't have any numbers yet on how many have used the new website, but that CivicInfo BC posted 2,100 jobs last year.
CivicJobs.ca came about after a subcommittee of Metro Vancouver's human resources advisory council wanted to heighten public awareness regarding the variety of employment opportunities in the 21 member municipalities. The committee collaborated with both Pugh and Tom MacDonald, executive-director of B.C.'s Local Government Management Association, on the project.
Suzanne Ayin, human resources advisor for the District of North Vancouver, was involved in the subcommittee and believes the website will go a long way in helping local governments attract talent.
This is a one-stop shop to find municipal jobs," Ayin said in an interview about CivicJobs.ca. "You no longer have to go to each municipality. And we know people are already using the site. We're seeing a lot of applications coming through."
Ayin said that like other organizations, local governments are experiencing a tight labour market. "It's tough to get the right people right now, especially among planners. We have to be innovative in our advertising as well."
Ayin said that mechanics, for example, don't make salaries as big as many in the private sector, but that they have a good benefits package and stable employment. "We try to be competitive."
Ayin started working in human resources for the district nine years ago after being a banker for 12 years. "For me, it's great because I'm in a generalist position. I get a variety of work, including recruiting and labour relations."
As an example of her benefits, Ayin cited the district's work-life balance policy, including a "5-5-4" program that sees employees working an extra 30 minutes each day and then working two five-day weeks, followed by a four-day week.
"And we've got such a diversity of jobs in municipal government. There's something for everyone, including part-time and temporary work."
Nancy Johnson, human resources specialist responsible for talent acquisition for the City of Burnaby, said in an interview that her department has had a good response from the website. "We have a lot of seasonal positions at this time of year."
bmorton@png.canwest.com
