Where a public service career can take you
Last updated on July 15, 2024
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Public servants take pride in the satisfaction and sense of belonging that comes from working for the public:
We take time to celebrate achievements and discuss opportunities and employee engagement and recognition comes in a variety of forms.
There are also other rewards, like a competitive wage, full benefits and a work-life balance:
The BC Public Service is as diverse as the people it serves. The people who work here represent everyone in B.C. This includes minority communities, immigrants, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people and the LGBTQ2+ community:
A respectful and inclusive workplace. The public service provides ongoing education and current resources to help promote a respectful and inclusive workplace for everyone. This includes guidance for accessibility, Indigenous cultural safety and reconciliation, LGBTQ awareness, gender diversity and women in leadership and inclusive leadership.
Here are a few examples:
- Our hiring process reduces barriers to employment and creates equal access to work opportunities by using a fair evaluation system that focuses on abilities and behaviours needed for work tasks
- We provide hands-on learning opportunities through hiring programs for students, young people, Indigenous youth and persons with disabilities
- Employees are invited to participate in a regular survey to share their experiences and perceptions of diversity and inclusion in the workplace
- All of our work is guided by Principles of Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples (PDF, 137KB)
- Gender-Based Analysis (PDF, 112KB) helps ensure that budgets, policies and programs meet everyone's needs, no matter their gender, race, class, sexual orientation or other identity factors
- The Accessibility & Inclusion Toolkit provides step-by-step instructions on how to create services that everyone can use
- Employees are invited to request any support they need to help make their workplace more accessible
- Diversity is one of the core principles of workforce planning
- See how diversity, inclusion and respect are part of our work
Change your job without missing a pay cheque. Employees do not have to stay in the same job for several years. They're encouraged to grow their career by trying out different work assignments, applying for jobs in other departments or ministries, or volunteering in a personally-tailored assignment.
The needs of the public and changing government priorities push us to work differently. Even in the context of government with policies and rules, the public service strives to be responsive.
Here's how:
- Where Ideas Work 2023 Corporate Plan for the BC Public Service (PDF, 1.3MB) outlines commitments to ensure we're the trusted, talented, modern public service British Columbians expect and deserve
- Digital Government uses data along with modern tools and technology to improve services
- Behavioural Insights applies behavioural science knowledge and methods to public policy problems
- Exchange Lab (IDIR restricted) uses technology to build a modern public service (video)
- Health Innovation Hub (IDIR restricted) develops evidence-informed policy and innovative solutions
- Service design applies a human-centred, evidence-based approach to designing programs and services
We share leadership and accountability. Leaders challenge employees to take initiative and they expect to be challenged in return. We collaborate. For example, policy decisions involve input from from many people with different expertise.
It's not just an office job. The BC Public Service needs all sorts of different skill sets. Our roles range from front-line workers to accountants and architects, researchers and analysts, to information technology professionals, scientists, engineers and doctors.
With 30,000+ jobs, there's interesting work for everyone:
Check out some of the work we do in the featured videos below:
See what public servants are saying
"There are so many job opportunities in the BC Public Service. How do you choose what will be the best fit for you?"
– Vasuhi Collins
"I chose to come to the BC Public Service because of the great career opportunities and, after working here, I realized those opportunities were just the tip of the iceberg. There are many opportunities to learn and grow your career. [You] can go in so many different directions, directions I didn’t even know existed."
– Alisha Nichols