The first month
Last updated: July 5, 2023
Learn about the employee experience
A great place to work. Get an overview of what the BC Public Service offers employees, including career opportunities, flexible work options, and education programs that you will not find anywhere else. Find answers to commonly asked questions about:
The BC Public Service Agency manages human resources for B.C. government employees.
- Use the Careers & MyHR search tool to find HR information and resources for the BC Public Service
- Contact AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) to get information or submit a form
- Review employment conditions and agreements
Meet your union representative. You'll receive contact information for your union representative (a steward) as well as an authorization form to have union dues deducted from your pay cheque. Feel free to contact your steward to discuss how they can provide support. Look up info about unions and professional associations.
Learn about our organization
Corporate culture at the BC Public Service.
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Explore what it's like to work here. See what type of organization the BC Public Service is
- Ethics and Standards of Conduct: Appropriate behaviour and conduct for public servants
- Public interest disclosure: Reporting serious wrongdoing related to the BC Public Service that involves breaking the law, misuse of public funds or assets, or a danger to the public or environment
- Where Ideas Work 2020 Corporate Plan for the BC Public Service: Outlines commitments to ensure we're the trusted, talented, modern public service British Columbians expect and deserve
- Corporate values: Review each value and see how they align with your role
- Social media guidelines for personal use: Information about how to use social media properly for personal or official government purposes
- Diversity & Inclusion | Respectful workplaces: Talk to your supervisor if you have questions or concerns about your workplace
- Provincial Employees Community Services Fund (PECSF): Volunteer or donate to this annual fundraising campaign that gives back to the community
The role of your ministry or branch. Check out information on your ministry intranet or local area network (LAN) that describes the objectives and type of work done at your ministry and branch. Look for things like:
- An integrated strategic plan or ministry service plan
- Vision and mission statements
- Leading workplace strategies
- Minister's mandate letter
Find out who your ethics advisor is. You can talk to your ethics advisor if you have concerns or questions about ethics in the workplace.
Oath of employment. All employees need to take a special oath that highlights the importance of honesty, integrity, and impartiality in what they do as members of the BC Public Service.
Sign up for mandatory training. Register for IM 117: Protection of Privacy, Access to Information and Records Management (IDIR restricted), Diversity & Inclusion Essentials (IDIR restricted), and Fraud Awareness and Prevention (IDIR restricted).
Take optional training or courses. These sessions are recommended, but not mandatory. They're intended for employees who are new to the BC Public Service.
- Welcome to the BC Public Service Sessions: Recommended for employees who are new to the BC Public Service
- IM 112: Records Management Foundations (IDIR restricted)
- IM 118: Information Security and Awareness (IDIR restricted)
- OCIO Microsoft 365 and Teams Training (IDIR restricted)
Additional learning. Ministries may have different required courses. Check with your supervisor.
Participate in regular performance reviews
Your supervisor will guide you through the performance review process.
- Ask them what success looks like for your role
- Think about career development and learning goals and how you'd like to realize them
- Set up regular check-in meetings with your supervisor to discuss work priorities and assignments
Complete an ergonomics assessment
Complete an ergo self-assessment and see how ergonomics impacts the way you work. Report any issues to your supervisor. If necessary, they can arrange for detailed follow-up with an ergonomics specialist.
Traveling for work
Check with your supervisor about your ministry's procedures and policies for work travel. HR policy 17 – Travel (PDF, 184KB) outlines general info for travel and other expense allowances.
Ask your supervisor or contact AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) to find out more about your job classification or appointment status.
Job classification is a system of describing and categorizing jobs by level. It's used to help determine salary. Learn more about the classification system.
Included employees are covered by a union Collective Agreement. Excluded employees are excluded from a collective agreement, but are covered by the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Excluded Employees/Appointees.
Types of work appointments include:
Regular appointments are continuous full or part-time positions. Hiring is based on the principle of merit and a selection process that assesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities of eligible applicants.
Temporary appointments are only open to in-service employees and need to be approved by a ministry's deputy minister. They're used to temporarily fill a new or vacant position, complete a project, cover seasonal work, or provide staff with new experiences.
Auxiliary appointments are temporary work assignments for out-of-service employees (or in-service employees who are already on auxiliary appointment). Auxiliary employees are paid vacation pay (6% of regular earnings) and can apply for in-service status after working more than 30 days (210 hours).
Find out more. See what's involved in being an auxiliary employee, including eligibility for benefits, vacation and other government programs: Auxiliary Appointments FAQ.
Co-op, intern and other student appointments are for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on work experience. Duties are different from a regular position. Work terms and assignments are different, depending on the employment program.
Order in council appointees are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, including:
- Chairs or members of agencies, boards, commissions, Crown corporations or tribunals (for example: chief coroner, fire commissioner)
- Management and professional staff, including those who support executive council, the judiciary or ministries (for example: administrative coordinator to executive, Supreme Court registrar, chief negotiator)
- Senior executives (for example: deputy ministers)
- Administrative support staff to executive council or staff who provide management support to elected officials
>> Next: The first three months
Ask questions or get more information: Onboarding.Support@gov.bc.ca
