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. 

Does the City of Ottawa accept work permits? 

Yes. A candidate holding a valid work permit may be employed by the City of Ottawa in a temporary or permanent job. The candidate is responsible for submitting their Social Insurance Number (SIN) and the original work permit documents for verification by the hiring manager during the offer stage, or to Human Resources upon request for documentation. 

All job offers are conditional upon the verification of the information provided on the work permit prior to hiring including:

  • terms and conditions on the work permit,
  • authorization dates and locations of work. 

Employees working under a work permit who have an expiry date approaching and who wish to continue their employment with the City of Ottawa must provide proof of permanent status or proof of re-application for a work permit prior to the expiry date (of the existing work permit).

Do I need to provide proof of education? What if my education is from out of country? 

Yes, successful candidates are required to provide proof of educational requirements prior to commencing their employment with the City of Ottawa. If they have obtained their education credentials outside of Canada, they must provide an educational credential assessment (ECA) from one of the following providers: 

Note: Assessment of educational credentials typically requires approximately 1 to 16 weeks for processing from the time the institution receives and approves all documents.  

How do I view the status of my application? 

To view the status of your application please follow these steps: 

  1. Select Candidate Profile (on the top right-hand side of the jobs-emplois.ottawa.ca/city-jobs webpage)  
  2. Enter your username and password and select Sign In
  3. Select Jobs Applied. The section will expand, and you will be able to view your current and previous applications.   

If your application is still in process, it will state: We are currently reviewing your application or Your assessments are currently in progress 

If your application is no longer being considered it will state: Thank you for your interest in this opportunity. We are no longer considering your application at this time. 

If the competition is closed it will state: This Competition is now closed, visit our careers website to find future opportunities.

The City of Ottawa receives hundreds of applications per competition. We recommend that you continue to apply to all positions you are qualified for and interested in.  

Note: Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. 

What are the steps in the City of Ottawa’s hiring process? 

Below is a general overview of the hiring process. This process may vary for certain positions. 

  1. The Staffing Officer and Hiring Manager review applications. 
  2. The Hiring Manager contacts selected candidate(s) for an interview. Only candidates that are selected for an interview will be contacted.
  3. The Hiring Manager selects the successful candidate
  4. The Hiring Manager conducts reference checks. 
  5. The Hiring Manager collects required credentials as indicated on the job posting (education, police record check, certifications/licenses, etc.). 
  6. If applicable, the successful candidate is sent for language assessment. 
  7. An offer letter sent to successful candidate.  
  8. Once offer letter is accepted, the successful candidate will proceed to onboarding stage (information will be provided by Hiring Manager). 
  9. The Hiring Manager advises unsuccessful candidates. 
  10. Hiring process is complete. 

What type of employment does the City of Ottawa hire for? 

The City of Ottawa has a wide variety of employment types including: 

  • Casual 
  • Part-time Temporary 
  • Part-time Permanent 
  • Full-time Temporary 
  • Full-time Permanent 
  • Summer Student 
  • Co-op Student 

Note: the employment type is indicated on the job posting. 

What are the language requirements for employment with the City of Ottawa? 

The language requirement depends on the position and is indicated in the What you Need to Know section of the job posting. There are three (3) possible options: 

  • English only
    • Oral
    • Reading
    • Writing
  • Designated Bilingual: specific level of language proficiency:
    • French: oral, reading, writing
    • English: oral, reading, writing
    • Candidates who do not meet language requirements will be required to participate in training. 
  • Designated Day 1 Ready: immediate requirement for language proficiency:
    • French: oral, reading, writing
    • English: oral, reading, writing
    • Candidates must meet language requirement for position upon hire. 

Will I need to provide a Police Record Check if I am selected for a position? 

The requirement for a Police Record Checks is dependent on the position and, if required, will be indicated in the What you Need to Know section of the job posting. There are two (2) possible options: 

  • Vulnerable Sector Check with the Police Services detachment in their jurisdiction to the City of Ottawa’s satisfaction 
  • Criminal Records and Judicial Matters Check with the Police Services detachment in their jurisdiction to the City of Ottawa’s satisfaction.

Note:  Under the age of 18, requires a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters check in place of the Vulnerable Sector Check.  Police record checks completed by a third-party company will not be accepted. 

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.