How to apply for jobs online at the City of Ottawa 

What is an online profile? 

A profile is an online resume that is used to search and apply for City of Ottawa career opportunities. Your profile includes your: 

  1. Personal data 
  2. Education/Training 
  3. Work/Volunteer experience 
  4. Qualifications, including licenses, certifications, and language capabilities 
  5. Additional information 

Once you have created your profile, you can update it at any time. 

Why should I build a profile?  

Your online profile stores your information securely , saving you from having to fill in your resume details each time you want to apply for a position. 

You may also check the status of the competitions you apply to and set up Job Alerts to receive e-mail notifications of new employment opportunities. 

Is my information safe? Who can access it?  

Yes, your information is safe. Only Human Resources and hiring managers are able to view information relevant to the job applications you submit using your profile. 

You may also refer to the City of Ottawa's Privacy Statement. 

What is a Job Alert? 

A Job Alert sends you an e-mail notification any time a job that you may be interested in is posted. 

How many Job Alerts can I create?  

There is no limit to the number of Job Alerts you can create. 

After creating a Job Alert, you may select the frequency of the notifications that you receive (i.e. daily, weekly, or monthly).  

How long do my Job Alerts remain active?  

Your Job Alerts remain active until you deactivate or delete them. 

Can I modify my Job Alerts? 

 You can modify each Job alert at any time. 

Frequently asked questions 

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. All of the Client Service Centres and the Ottawa Public Library branches are equipped with public computers with Internet access. 

When does the City post positions? 

Positions are posted Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. 

What is the closing period for a job posting? 

Applications for competitions are due before midnight on the day it closes, as indicated on the job poster. 

For example, if the closing date is stated as Friday, applications must be submitted online by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) that day. 

Late applications are not accepted. 

How can you tell that I am a City of Ottawa employee when I apply? 

If you logged in using your internal profile, your employee number and position details will be visible to Human Resources and hiring managers to identify you as a City employee. 

If you logged in using your external profile, your employee number will not be tied to your profile. Please ensure the Internal Work Experience section of your profile clearly indicates that you currently work for the City. 

Can I apply for more than one position at a time? 

You are encouraged to apply for any and all positions that you are interested in. 

An individual application is required to be submitted for each job posting that you are applying to. 

Can I apply for a position past the application deadline? 

The City of Ottawa does not accept late applications. 

Applications for competitions are due before midnight [i.e. 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST)] on the day it closes, as indicated on the job poster. Those received after the closing date will not be considered. 

If I have a disability, will the City accommodate my needs? 

Yes, please let us know if you require specific accommodations or arrangements. You do not need to disclose the nature of your disability. The City aims to hire the most qualified person for each position, and candidates may have different backgrounds and individual needs that need to be recognized, respected, and accommodated within the hiring process and the workplace. 

How can I contact Human Resources? 

For all inquiries, please contact the HR Service Centre at 613-580-2424, extension 47411. 

The HR Service Centre hours are Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST). 

You may also send an e-mail to HRServiceCentre@ottawa.ca. 

Technical questions (FAQ) 

What are the system requirements? 

From a PC, you may use Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer.

From a MacIntosh computer, we recommend using Firefox or Google Chrome 

Ensure Adobe Reader 7.1 or higher is installed. 

Ensure JavaScript is enabled. 

Disable your pop-up blocker. 

You may use any mobile device (cell phone/tablet) to access the career site and apply to jobs. 

How do I enable pop-ups? 

If you do not have pop-ups enabled on your browser, the site may not display correctly. To enable pop-ups, follow the steps for your internet browser below. 

Google Chrome 

  • On your computer, open Chrome 
  • At the top right, click More. Settings 
  • Under "Privacy and security," click Site settings 
  • Click Pop-ups and redirects 
  • At the top, turn the setting to Allowed 

Microsoft Edge 

  • Tap the menu 
  • Select Settings 
  • Select Site permissions  
  • Select Pop-ups and redirects  
  • Toggle Pop-ups and redirects on to allow pop-ups on your device 

Internet Explorer 

  • Select Tools from the menu 
  • Select Pop-up Blocker 
  • Select Pop-up Blocker Settings 
  • Type www.ottawa.ca/careers in the box 'Address of website to allow' and click Add 
  • Set the Blocking Level to ‘Medium: Block most automatic pop-ups’ 
  • Click Close 

Firefox 

  • Select Tools from the top menu 
  • Select Options 
  • Select the Web Features icon 
  • Ensure ‘Block Pop-up Window’ is not checked
  • Click OK 

Designated bilingual positions and language proficiency assessments FAQ 

What is a designated bilingual position? 

A designated bilingual position requires specific language skills and proficiency levels in both English and French. 

What determines whether a position is designated bilingual or not? 

Factors considered in the recommendations to designate positions include functions of the work unit and individual positions, service plans and strategies, language needs of the clientele served, the degree and method of interaction with clients as well as coverage for vacations/absences. 

The corporate approach to designating bilingual positions is outlined in the Bilingualism Policy section IV, subsection R4. 

What types of designated bilingual positions are there? 

There are two types of designated bilingual positions: Designated Bilingual and Designated Day One Ready. 

Designated bilingual (D): positions requiring a specific level of proficiency in English and French in order to meet service delivery requirements. Candidates who do not meet the required levels will be required to participate in language training. 

Designated bilingual Day 1 Ready (DD1R): positions requiring a specific level of proficiency in English and French at the time of hire in order to meet service delivery requirements. 

What language skills may be required? 

Designated bilingual positions typically require Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension and may also require Reading and Writing. 

What proficiency levels may be required? 

Levels are assigned to each skill required based on the City’s nine level proficiency scale. The City’s proficiency scale is comprised by three Beginner levels, three Intermediate levels and three Advanced levels. 

A candidate is considered a Beginner when having a minimal to significantly limited capacity to speak, understand, read or write in the language being assessed. 

At the Intermediate levels, candidates have a broader capacity in all skills, with errors still present. At the Advanced levels, a candidate is expected to be able to be understood and manage with little to no errors in all situations. 

View the Language Level Definitions here.

What material will I be assessed on? 

Materials used in the assessment will be related to the position / type of work for which a candidate has applied. 

I am applying for a bilingual position; do I need a language assessment? 

Yes. 

I have had a language assessment in the past, do I need another one? 

This is determined on a case by case basis. Factors considered are the levels achieved, the time since the last assessment and the position for which the assessment was conducted. 

I have had a language assessment with another organization; does the City recognize those results? 

No, the City’s assessment system was created specifically for the city of Ottawa and equivalencies with other organizations are not identified. 

I received an email that I will need to have a language assessment. What do I do? 

You would have received this as part of the staffing process for a designated bilingual position. The language assessment service provider will contact you to schedule your assessment. To ensure staffing process timelines are met, the assessment should be a priority and scheduled within five business days of the service provider contacting you.