TBS 2017 Post-Secondary Recruitment Program podcast

ALIX: Hi there, and thanks so much for listening to our podcast today. My name is Alix Dostal, and this is my colleague Jesse Fleming, and we’re here to say a little bit about who we are and who we are looking for as part of the TBS Post-Secondary Recruitment initiative this year.

So Jesse, you seem pretty great, tell me super briefly about what you do here at TBS.

JESSE: Thanks Alix. As a Director in the Economic Sector of Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), I work with resource ministers and ministries, I’m responsible for managing a team of analysts who work with our client departments on programs, initiatives and policy compliance, and provide advice to the Treasury Board ministers who have important decision-making roles in the Government of Canada and management board responsibilities.

And you, Alix, is it kind of the same?

ALIX: So, yes, I’m Executive Director in the International Affairs Division. And you know one thing that I think is so great about working as we do is that you get to see so much of what departments work on that touch on a whole host of government priorities.

JESSE: We’re really excited to be launching this recruitment program. We are looking for awesome people who are going to be great fits at TBS. So what do we mean by that, more specifically? We need enthusiastic and engaged leaders who want to make a meaningful contribution to decision-making in the Government of Canada. We are looking for analysts that have completed or will complete a Master’s degree on or before December 31, 2018 in a range of disciplines from public administration, international relations, economics or business administration.

So why would someone apply for this program at TBS, Alix?

ALIX: So TBS really is a great place to work. It’s at the heart of government, in beautiful Ottawa, and working here really gives people an opportunity to influence decision making and be involved in files that matter, and files that touch most everything that government does. In my view, there’s really no better way to start off a public sector career than in the middle of the action.
My view too is that TBS really is a place that opens doors for its people for futures across government.

So Jesse, what do analysts do exactly here?

JESSE: That’s a great question, and one that we get a lot. And I’ll be honest, there’s no one answer; there’s a range of different types of work. So, in addition to coming in and then refining really strong analytic skills and communication capabilities, we’re looking for people that are versatile and inquisitive, and that’s really important to us. But above all, I think analysts are problem solvers. They work with their client departments and their management to find solutions to issues, leading files and providing advice to decision makers on the most important issues and priorities facing the Government of Canada. This is all part of what a TBS analyst would do every day.

So, what’s the application process like, and how does that work?

ALIX: So, Jesse, it’s a multi-stage process. There’s a paper screening, and for those who pass the paper screening, there will be a written evaluation. This will be followed by an interview with managers who are looking to hire great analysts for those who are successful in the written evaluation. Hiring timing will vary depending on what the manager’s needs are and also what the candidate’s needs are.

So Jesse, how do people apply?

JESSE: The application period is open from September 27 to October 19, 2017. We hope you’ll consider applying, and we look forward to receiving your application. If you want to find out more, please visit our website, or follow us on Twitter @TBS_Canada.

Alix, thanks so much for your energy and enthusiasm, in leading this initiative, and that’s it for us. So, thanks to listeners for tuning in, and we hope to see your application soon!

Alix: Thank you!