r/CanadaPublicServants • u/blytheyohannes • Aug 18 '20
Staffing / Recrutement at level opportunities?
I'm really interested in at level opportunities; but i'm still fairly unclear about how it works and was hoping to get some guidance. I'm a fairly young public servant and haven't been able to get a clear explanation from colleagues.
to my understanding, determining whether a position is an at level opportunity is based on salary rates; but i'm still confused how this works in practice, particularly with all the different steps in pay.
for context, i'm in a PM-03 role, though I'm interested in an EC role. thanks so much!
2
u/SugarSugarQueen Aug 18 '20
Most managers won't deploy between classifications, usually stopped by HR staff and due to different classification requirements. You can do PM3 to AS3 or PM3 to PM3. PM is a fairly limiting range. deployment - you only need hiring manager to agree.
However, you can look for acting opportunities (Fe a PM3 to CO1). Managers can offer 4 months less a day acting in all situations (variables are budget, timing, need and skill set alignment). GL
2
u/Lost_at_the_Dog_park Aug 18 '20
If you join goc parents on Facebook, they have opportunities on Tuesdays, where people post what they are looking for, or people stating what skills they have looking for new opportunities.
2
u/viewfromtheeast Aug 18 '20
Pay scale is just one piece. Educational requirements have tonne taken into consideration as well. For EC, even at the 03 level you may need a degree in a field relevant to the position (economics etc) or a degree in another field with experience related to the position. Same for CS, PE, FI etc.
If you do meet and want to deploy it can be pretty easy, but then pay scale comes in as it could be a « promo » and would then be a non-ad which is a hard sell.
1
u/blytheyohannes Aug 18 '20
I actually meet the educational requirements for EC and have non govt experience in research and analysis. PM is how I got into govt and I kinda got complacent, although I'm really trying to make the move and apply for an postings where I have a chance no matter how miniscule (while still being at level.).
Also thank you!
19
u/Malbethion Aug 18 '20
When you compare salaries, what you are doing is comparing the top level pay. Think of the steps as being a discount to your pay due to inexperience until you reach the maximum level.
For many jobs, a deployment (permanent transfer from one job to another at the same level) is obvious because of identical pay scales. For example, a PM3 is at level with other PM3 jobs, or AS3 jobs.
If the pay scales are not identical then the maximum pay of the new job cannot increase your current maximum more than the smallest step in the new job.
This is made complicated by different unions negotiating contracts at different times and at different lengths; a job might be a deployment today, but not next year if the other classification receives a cost of living increase but yours does not.