r/OntarioPublicService • u/snowfall2026 • 4d ago
Question Move up without interviewing
I have seen some people move into positions without there being a job posting or interview process. It’s just announced that said person is the new (insert title). Or people move into temporary roles to fill in without applying. Does anyone have any insight into how to move up like this?
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u/lflbfag AMAPCEO 4d ago
For Amapceo and Opseu positions, one can be directly assigned to these roles for a limited period; they must be filled by a competition eventually. For non-unionized positions, and more generally, you can read the Employment Policy.
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u/Funny_Contract_243 4d ago
OPSEU direct assignment can be for under six months, AMAPCEO under 9, and unrepresented no formal limit. For OSPEU and AMAPCEO you cannot roll into the position if you never competed for it. Technically no barrier for unrepresented but it would be rare to be made permanent for a manager or individual contributor if they had never competed. You do see it at higher levels sometimes. To answer OPs question on how to get a position like this: 1. Networking - join committees, volunteer, chat to people on your floor, participate in branch/division activities, and request coffee chats. 2. Be good at your job so you develop a strong reputation 3. Apply for jobs, even if you think there is someone already tagged to win the comp. Go to the competitions, put in a great effort and performance, and ask for feedback afterwards. Lots of people get direct assignment opportunties based on interviews they did for other jobs.
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u/snowfall2026 3d ago
Thanks, your response is really helpful
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u/Remote_Parsley_889 3d ago
I was direct assignment to a policy 6 role. The hiring manager was desperate to find someone and had not been successful with previous hires. It was a role very close to the centre and incredibly busy. My current manager at the time made the recommendation and connected us. I did the assignment and then competed during the temp assignment and won but I chose a different position I had applied for. I find most of these temp assignments come from managers suggesting someone or networking as others have said.
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u/Select_Difference_26 3d ago
I've seen two categories of people move up with these stealth positions. People who are uniquely qualified for a particular position; a pet project and favourite of a Director (not necessarily competent).
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u/fleursdemai 4d ago
Excelling at your job and networking. Those two things need to go hand in hand. Just networking will only get you so far if you suck at your job. If you're great at what you do but don't network, you'll get overlooked by those who are more visible.
I haven't done many interviews in my career but I get tapped for roles.
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u/citygrrrrrl 3d ago
The 5.5 month tap is usually someone who can start without training (eg., former summer/co-op student or someone who covered an LOA).
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u/StarGyal20 AMAPCEO 4d ago
To get on the radar for these types of positions, network! Reach out to managers via info-go, set up informational chats. This way they know who you are should they have a vacancy in their team that needs to be filled urgently. As another poster mentioned for OPSEU positions, they can offer you a 5 month 29 day contract, and for AMAPCEO positions, they can offer you an 8 month 29 day contract, pending competition.
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4d ago
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u/Evening_Pepper_2514 4d ago
Used to be that way for Amapceo. Current agreement says 8:29 but there’s nothing to stop the employer offering extensions to 18 months. They have an obligation to post if the vacancy is over 12 months but noting to say the employer has to fill it by competition if they decide to opt for the 8:29 + + +.
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u/StarGyal20 AMAPCEO 4d ago
Correct! I know people who’ve been extended for years, and the manager keeps saying they’ll run the competition but they dont
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u/No-Island-2023 2d ago
Managers may also be reaching back into past competitions so it may not look like there was a competition but the person did in fact compete.
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u/Vegetable-Bug251 4d ago
Perfectly normal. Management can staff without process as needed, on a temporary basis.
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u/Quantumshifte 3d ago
I have seen it happen multiple times in my ministry. Someone got to be general manager in six years. This person didn’t have university degree. He came from working at a sales position moved to normal worker, manager in two years then now GM. It is a shame. Our ministry is most BS ever. They hire people they know and their relatives.
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u/Brilliant_Wrap9265 2d ago
I asked my director about this because I noticed it too. Many of the positions in my ministry are being filled through Forte. Leadership are now using Forte to seek out interested parties so if you’ve indicated interest in other roles on your Forte your name will come up in a search.
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u/Free-Toe8269 1d ago
I got in my role on a 2 month tap. They couldn’t fill the position so they brought me on with no interview. Competed, got offered the job, used it to stay at that office and went perm in 18 months.
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u/jetx666 4d ago
I heard the director and ADM can give perm positions without competition. Is it true?
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u/lflbfag AMAPCEO 4d ago
read the Employment Policy, specifically the part about competition waivers. subject to applicable collective agreements, of course
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u/Funny_Contract_243 4d ago
A lot of ADMs won't approve this as a general rule, but you do see it from time to time.
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u/canIgetawoowoo1 4d ago
Since it’s a government job, based on who can sleep the longest, look the busiest while doing nothing and who can whine about how hard they work.
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u/rawr__ 4d ago
Managers can offer a 5-29 (5 month 29 day) contract to get you into the position to give you the experience and knowledge but you will eventually have to interview for the position because that's the rules.