Administrative Services Officer

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to building a diverse workforce that is representative of the Canadian population through equitable and accessible employment practices. We strive to achieve an inclusive and open work environment that embraces a variety of perspectives where accessibility is a central pillar to all. These qualities help us make a positive impact in the lives of our increasingly diverse clientele, in a workplace where everyone’s contributions are valued.

Veterans Affairs Canada is seeking talent from a wide range of communities, identities, and backgrounds. We value the experience of diverse groups of women, men, and gender diverse people. Using a Gender-based Analysis Plus lens, we recognize that there are multiple characteristics that intersect and contribute to our social and professional identity. These include race, ethnicity, religion, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, education, veteran status, and more. The interaction between these factors has a positive influence on how you, as an employee, help us develop, implement, and deliver the services and benefits we provide. We are committed to establishing a workplace culture that is accessible by design to ensure that all employees are fully supported to flourish in their roles.

We welcome members of equity seeking groups to apply and recognize that the current Employment Equity Act does not fully encompass all equity seeking group members. If you are a member of the groups indicated in the Employment Equity Act, we respectfully request that you self-declare during this process. These groups include women, aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities and members of a visible minority community.

On October 6, 2021, the Government of Canada announced details (https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/news/2021/10/backgrounder-covid-19-vaccine-requirement-for-the-federal-workforce.html) of its plans to require vaccination across the federal public service.

As per the new Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration Including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=32694), federal public servants in the Core Public Administration and members of the RCMP must attest to their vaccination status. The requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated applies whether they are teleworking, working remotely, or working on-site. This is a condition of employment and it applies to indeterminate (permanent), determinate (term), casual, and student hiring. Should you reach the point in the selection process where it is necessary to verify terms and conditions of employment, you will be contacted to complete an attestation of vaccination status.

When submitting an application to this selection process, you will be prompted to answer screening questions concerning the essential education and experience qualifications and, if applicable, other (nonessential) qualifications. As a result, please ensure you allow yourself a significant amount of time to complete this application.

Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information in your answers to questions.

The ability to communicate effectively in writing will be evaluated in the application you submit.

Resumes may be used as a secondary source to validate the experience and education described in the screening questions.

Education and/or Experience factors in the asset qualifications may be used for screening. Applicants should clearly demonstrate on their application if they meet any of the education and/or experience asset qualifications.

Work environment

EVERYONE IS WELCOME: Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is committed to building an inclusive workforce with a diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds that represents Canada now and in the future. We are passionate about fostering a workplace where all people feel welcome, can reach their full potential, and contribute their unique perspectives and experience to the success of the team.

Don’t miss the opportunity to work with one of the Top 100 Employers in Canada according to Forbes Magazine 2020! Only 5 federal government departments and agencies made the Top 100 employers on Forbes list and Veterans Affairs Canada is one of the Departments.

With more than 1,200 employees across the country, Field Operations has a wealth of knowledge, skills, abilities and strengths in multiple areas thanks to its diverse workforce. The opportunity for movement brings renewal to our workforce and creates a stimulating work environment. We work together to create healthy workplaces by ensuring that people feel valued, where employee development, transparency and wellness are fostered.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to create a pool or partially assessed pool of candidates to fill similar or identical positions with various language profiles, durations (term, indeterminate, assignment, secondment, acting appointment and deployment) and conditions of employment in Veterans Affairs Canada.

The immediate need is to staff 1 position in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Education:
A Secondary school diploma or an acceptable combination of education, training and /or experience.

An acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience is defined as:
A Minimum of Grade 10 education combined with at least one year of experience in one of the factors listed below.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
EX1 - Experience in providing administrative support services.*
EX2 – Experience providing service to clients by telephone, in person or in writing.

*Administrative support is defined as: managing agendas, scheduling and organizing meetings/teleconferences, preparing and collating meeting file folders and background materials, procuring office equipment and supplies, maintaining a filing system and other related duties.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

Abilities:
AB1 - Ability to use reasoning skills to solve problems.**
AB2 - Ability to organize work, establish priorities, and work effective under pressure and with conflicting demands.
AB3 - Ability to manage people.
AB4 - Ability to communicate orally.
AB5 - Ability to communicate in writing.***

** This ability will be assessed through the online application and a response is MANDATORY.
***This ability will be assessed through the online application.

Personal Suitabilities:
PS1 - Leadership****
PS2 - Dependability
PS3 - Judgement

****This personal suitability will be assessed through the online application and a response is MANDATORY.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Asset Qualifications:
AEX1 - Experience as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
AEX2 - Experience using various software such as word processing, spreadsheets and email.
AEX3 - Experience working with financial information or financial documents such as budget tracking and forecasting, acquisition card reconciliation and petty cash.
AEX4 - Experience drafting, editing or verifying correspondence or reports.

Organizational Needs:
In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates who self-identify as belonging to one (1) of the designated employment equity groups under the Employment Equity Act: women; Aboriginal peoples; visible minorities; persons with disabilities.

Operational Requirements:
Willing and able to work overtime on short notice.
Willing and able to travel when required.

Conditions of employment

Conditions of Employment:
Reliability Status

All employees of the core public administration are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status unless accommodated based on a medical contraindication, religion, or another prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

It is your responsibility to ensure that your email and contact information are maintained with the hiring board. All communication for this process will be sent by email and it is your responsibility to verify your messages regularly.

Reference checks may be sought. The Assessment Committee reserves the right to contact references other than those provided by the candidates (within the Public Service only) in order to adequately assess the candidates.

Other sources of information (e.g. performance agreements, work samples, board member knowledge, etc.) may be used to assess the criteria identified on the Statement of Merit Criteria. Recent and past performance agreements may be used as part of the assessment. Please be prepared to provide such documentation should it be requested.

A new Public Service Commission unsupervised language test of reading comprehension and written expression for Levels B or C may be used to assess candidates second language evaluation as part of this process. Link to further information: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/corporate/about-us/letters-heads-human-resources/new-psc-unsupervised-test-written-expression-level-b-c-20-10.html

You must provide proof of your education credentials. If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. For more information please click on “Degree Equivalency” in the Education section above.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to notify the Departmental contact of any pre-approved leave throughout the duration of the process in order to facilitate scheduling of evaluations. One (1) alternate date will be possible only if requested for the following reasons: 1) Medical reasons with doctor’s certificate 2) Death in your immediate family 3) Confirmation of pre-approved travel plans or training plans (made before the advertisement posting date) 4) Religious reasons or another reason that is considered reasonable by the assessment committee.

Indeterminate employees at the same group and level or equivalent may be considered for assignment, deployment or secondment opportunities before other candidates.

One or more asset qualifications may be used during the screening to manage the volume of applications.

An interview and/or written exam may be administered.

PLEASE NOTE: All information must be provided through the “apply online” application process. Do not fax, mail, email or drop-off a hard copy application as these will not be accepted. To apply in an alternate format due to disability, you must contact the email address indicated in the "Contact information" section below PRIOR to the Closing Date.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.