Employment with the provincial government

submitted by the PEI Public Service Commission

The PEI Public Service Commission (PSC) is creatively working to build a brighter future for the province through successfully staffing government departments and Health PEI. Their renewed energy helped the Government of Prince Edward Island earn sixth place on the 2024 Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers.

Recently, Monic Vokey, Recruitment Consultant with the PSC, shared insights on the opportunities available within the PEI Government.

“We post new job listings daily, so I recommend checking the job board weekly. If you create a job profile and upload your resumé, it’s even easier to apply when a relevant job gets posted.”

Benefits of a career with the Government of Prince Edward Island

• Competitive wages: Both unionized and Excluded positions offer competitive wages and benefit packages.
• Comprehensive benefits package: includes long term disability, life, and accidental death & dismemberment and optional health, dental, and travel insurance coverage.
• Pension: with employer-matched pension contributions, employees can retire earlier with a full pension, depending on their length of service. The earlier you start with government, the sooner you can retire with benefits.
• Advancement opportunities: employees can move to different positions and departments without leaving their employer.
• Funding for education: up to $2,500 per year to upgrade skills and education.
• Ongoing training and development: includes internal courses during work hours, such as Excel, project management, and change management training.
• Remote work options: some positions offer the flexibility to work remotely or in a hybrid arrangement.
• Flexible work hours: some jobs allow for flexible work hours to suit individual needs.

Types of job opportunities

• Permanent positions – These roles have no end date
• Casual (on-call) and temporary (with an end date) positions: Employees can apply for internal positions after working one shift with Health PEI or completing one full year with the civil service. “There are many benefits to getting your foot in the door and then moving to other positions,” says Monic.
• Co-op placements, summer student positions, and internships

Many departments are expanding student placements and internship opportunities, including:

• Provincial golf course student positions
• Provincial Park student positions
• Student vacation planner jobs
• Council of the Federation youth internship
• Health Care Futures program
• Nursing Student Summer Employment program
• Post-secondary Student program

“I recommend checking them out early in the new year,” says Monic.

For more details, visit www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/student-summer-jobs

Internship program

This program offers temporary one-year assignments in various departments and is designed to help new hires gain experience. Interns receive extensive training and development opportunities, peer guidance, and the chance to network with professionals in the public service.

Benefits include:

• professional development and training
• peer guidance and career support
• networking opportunities within the public service
• eligibility to apply for internal job competitions after one year of service
• pay starts at $28.84 per hour

Eligibility:

• completed a post-secondary program within the last 36 months before the job start date
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible for a work permit To apply, visit https://jobspei.ca/internship

Keep checking the website for opportunities in the new year.

Casual Pool

By joining the casual pool, you apply for positions that do not yet exist but may become available. After submitting your resumé, you’ll be pre-screened and interviewed. If you pass the interview, you’ll be contacted if a position becomes available.

Casual pools are used for various roles, such as administrative clerks, service workers, and cooks. Find casual job listings at www.jobspei.ca

Diversity Talent Pool

A special program that supports individuals belonging to diversity groups including Indigenous peoples, neurodivergent candidates, persons living with disabilities, immigrants, newcomers, international students, Black, Racialized and culturally diverse groups, as well as people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.

When positions arise, HR managers can quickly access resumés from this pool to fill casual and project-based positions without posting jobs.

To apply, submit your resumé and cover letter, including proof of education if you studied abroad.

Eligibility

• legal entitlement to work in Canada
• willingness to self-declare as belonging to one of the diversity groups
• minimum Grade 12 education or equivalent, combined with work and volunteer experience
• fluency in English or French (for bilingual positions) or other required languages

To apply or to learn more, contact Diversity Employment. Visit www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/diversity-and-inclusion-in-the-public-service

Applying for jobs with the PEI Public Service Job postings for the Government of PEI and Health PEI are available at www.jobspei.ca

“I recommend creating an account to track your applications,” says Monic.

Each job listing includes details like salary, location, and position type.

Interpreting job postings

Experience

• Some experience: 3 months to 1 year
• Experience: 1 to 3 years
• Considerable experience: 3 to 5 years
• Extensive experience: 5+ years

Demonstrated equivalencies

Individuals who don’t meet education requirements may be considered based on relevant work experience.

Example: Administrative Assistant position may deem equivalent:

• Diploma in another area with administrative support training
• Degree or part-degree with related experience
• Certificate with significant directly related experience