Employment Information

What jobs are available right now?

All jobs that are open to external candidates (people who are not currently employees of the municipality) are posted on our website:

For unionized positions, there is an internal posting process that gives the City’s existing unionized employees the first opportunity to apply for jobs. This provides current employees who have the skills, qualifications and abilities that a vacancy requires with the opportunity to advance within the organization or move to other departments. If no suitable applicant is found during this process, the job is opened up to external candidates. 

All employees hired by the City except management and other union-exempt positions are subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the current collective agreement between the City of Courtenay and CUPE Local 556.

The City of Courtenay is committed to providing a workplace that promotes and supports a safe and caring work environment where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

When should I check the website for new job opportunities?

Jobs can be posted at any time between Monday and Friday. The length of time the job is advertised will depend on the position, but generally will range from two to three weeks.

While vacancies can occur at all times of the year, specific departments usually look for temporary help for the following:

  • The Recreation Division starts looking in March for its summer lifeguards, which start work in late May.
  • The Public Works Services Department begins recruiting applicants for summer student positions in March. These work opportunities generally align with the post-secondary summer break.
  • Other departments such as Planning, Engineering, Finance and IT begin recruiting Co-op students in February for positions that generally start at the end of the school term. These are usually recruited through cooperative education programs with various post-secondary institutions.

What qualifications does the City look for when hiring?

We seek candidates with the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities in their field of expertise as well as people that have a positive attitude regarding teamwork, customer service and overall drive to succeed to bring about the best results for the City. Each position requires a unique set of education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

The following are some examples of positions at the City of Courtenay and the basic educational/experience requirements necessary to meet the qualifications of the position. These do not represent an exhaustive list of qualifications. At the time of application, please review the specific qualifications for the position.

 

What are the requirements for student jobs?

You must be a full-time student in a recognized post-secondary institution, and you must be returning to full-time studies immediately after the work term. In addition, you must also meet the advertised requirements of the job.

Does the City have practicum opportunities for students?

Yes. The City works directly with post-secondary institutions and hires co-op students directly through post-secondary hiring programs.

How Do I Apply?

Applications in response to employment postings must be received prior to the closing date and time, and must include a cover letter and a resume. Applicants should clearly indicate how they meet each of the stated requirements in the job posting.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada in order to be considered for employment with us.

Applicants are required to submit a separate application for each posting they wish to be considered for. The City of Courtenay appreciates the interest of all applicants. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Apply online

When can I expect to hear about the job?

Following the closing date we review all applications, and based on the information submitted we select for further consideration those candidates who best meet the required qualifications. These individuals are then contacted and given information on the subsequent selection process. Calls are usually made within two weeks of the posting closing date. We appreciate and thank all applicants for responding to our postings. However, only those under consideration for the postings will be contacted.

Do you accept resumes if there are no job openings?

No. Unsolicited or general applications for employment will not be retained. Any vacancies that currently exist are listed on the Employment Opportunites page.

If I am short- listed for a job, what will the interview be like?

The City of Courtenay conducts panel interviews with between 2 and 4 people, depending on the job. In addition to general questions about your skills and past employment, you will be asked to tell the interview panel about specific work-related situations from your past and how you dealt with those situations. Interviews for each position are conducted in a consistent format to ensure each candidate is given fair treatment, and to assist with the decision making process.

Is a Criminal Record Check part of the hiring process?

Some positions with the City of Courtenay require a criminal record check. This is usually done at the time the job is offered, and for these positions, continued employment with the City of Courtenay is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal record check.  Individuals working with children or vulnerable adults directly or potentially have unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults will require a Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check.

If I have applied for jobs with the City of Courtenay in the past, will I automatically be considered when new vacancies occur?

No, each job posting is handled separately and you must apply for each vacancy for which you wish to be considered. We encourage candidates to tailor their cover letters to the specific job, as this is a great way to highlight your skills and qualifications.

Are there any opportunities to volunteer?

Volunteer opportunities are not offered for work currently done by staff, but may be considered through formalized work experience programs, such as with the schools.

Courtenay Fire Department

For volunteer positions with our paid-on-call Fire Department, the recruitment process is handled directly by the Fire Department.  If you are interested in volunteering with the Fire Department, we encourage you to call 250-334-2513.

Courtenay Recreation

A wide variety of volunteer opportunities are available with Courtenay Recreation.