British Columbia
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any positions available?
Any vacancies that are open to the public are posted on our website and advertised in the Alberni Valley Times.
How do I apply for a position with the City of Port Alberni?
Resumes with covering letters are accepted for job vacancies that are advertised on our website and the Alberni Valley Times.
Applicants for advertised positions are responsible for ensuring that their resume is received by the closing date and that they clearly indicate how they meet each of the stated requirements.
Applicants are required to submit a separate resume for each position they wish to be considered for.
Resumes with covering letters can be mailed to:
Manager of Human Resources
City of Port Alberni
4850 Argyle Street
Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 1V8
Dropped off at:
Manager of Human Resources
c/o Echo Centre
4255 Wallace Street
Port Alberni
Faxed to: 250 723-1003
Emailed to: theresa_kingston@portalberni.ca (MS Word format)
Do I need an application form to apply on a posting?
A current resume with covering letter, specifying the position, is to be submitted.
For Firefighter postings, a completed application form must be submitted.
What else should I submit with my resume?
It is helpful if you submit copies of any relevant qualifications, including the following:
- Post secondary certificates, diplomas or degrees
- Trade Qualification Certificates
- Current driver’s abstract
- Photocopy of qualifications required for position
Applicants for Lifeguard and Firefighter positions must submit copies of all required certifications listed in the posting, in order to be considered.
Do I need to submit a police records check or employment references?
You do not need to submit a completed police records check form or references with your application, unless we ask you to. The City of Port Alberni is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy community. No offer of employment is made without a police records check and employment references. However, we will ask your permission prior to initiating either of these steps in the recruitment process.
If there aren’t any job postings, do you accept applications or resumes?
No, we only accept resumes for specific job postings.
Do you accept ‘late’ applications for job postings?
We do accept applications after the competition has closed, however, your application will be marked ‘late’ and will not be considered until all other applicants have been reviewed first.
Will you contact me when I apply for a position?
Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
How do I know if I have been short listed?
We will contact you.
If selected for an interview, when would I be contacted?
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted. We endeavour to contact applicants to be interviewed within three (3) weeks of the competition closing date. We appreciate your patience throughout the recruitment process, and ask that you refrain from calling our office.
What will my job interview be like?
We conduct panel interviews, consisting of the department supervisor, the Manager of Human Resources and sometimes other participants. We ask a variety of knowledge, situational and behavioural-based interview questions. Interviews are typically 30 minutes to one hour in length, depending on the complexity of the position.
Do you do any testing of job applicants?
Sometimes we do skill or job-related testing for specific positions at the City. We may also do computer software testing. You would be informed, in advance, of any testing that we might ask you to participate in.
How long until the hiring process is completed?
It can take up to six (6) weeks to fill a job posting, depending on the complexity of the position. We thank you in advance for your patience!
How do I apply to be a firefighter?
Career opportunities with the City of Port Alberni Fire Department are also displayed on our website. A recruiting process is conducted prior to any hiring within the Department.
