Policy Statement
Eligibility lists are an effective and efficient method to staff positions in the public service, and can be used for positions where significant turnover exists, when vacancies are anticipated, and to fill similar vacancies in an identifiable occupational category. Eligibility lists are used in consultation with the Delegated Staffing Authority.
Application
This policy applies to all organizations specified in Schedule A of the Public Service Commission Act, and to positions in those organizations not otherwise excluded by Section 4 thereof.
Definitions
For the purpose of this policy:
Delegated Staffing Authority – delegated authority from the PSC to another government entity to exercise and perform powers and functions of the PSC related to appointment and promotion.
Eligibility List – an inventory of candidates who have been assessed and deemed recommendable through a merit-based process for an occupational category.
Selection Board Chair – an official acting on behalf of the PSC on selection boards, convened to conduct competitions for the recruitment of public service positions.
Roles and Responsibilities
Delegated Staffing Authority
It is the responsibility of the entity that holds Delegated Staffing Authority to:
- use a previously conducted job competition or initiate a full recruitment process to create an eligibility list (please refer to the PSC’s Previously Conducted Job Competition Policy);
- ensure that all positions are advertised as having the potential to generate eligibility lists for similar positions; and
- rank all recommendable candidates in a competitive process to generate eligibility lists as per the PSC’s Competitive Process Policy.
Selection Board Chair
It is the responsibility of the Selection Board Chair to:
- determine, in consultation with the Delegated Staffing Authority, whether an eligibility list can be utilized for positions having the same or lower classification with similar job duties/qualifications;
- advise the department or agency of the existence of an eligibility list;
- when revisiting a previously conducted eligibility list, recommendations must follow the same guidelines as set out in the PSC’s Previously Conducted Job Competition Policy; and
- ensure candidates are recommended from existing eligibility lists in order of merit.
Public Service Commission
The Commission shall:
- monitor and audit to ensure compliance with this policy;
- provide guidance and interpretation of this policy; and
- adjudicate complaints related to the application of this policy pursuant to the Public Service Commission Act.