Applicant Resources

Applicants who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or otherwise legally entitled to work in Canada (e.g. valid work permit) are eligible to work at the City of Kingston. 

Our team carefully evaluates each candidate's qualifications and experience. We will contact you if your skills match our requirements to proceed with your application. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide individual feedback or updates on the status of each application.  

Applicants being considered are usually contacted within 4 to 6 weeks of the closing date, often sooner. 

Select candidates will be contacted to begin the interview process. 

The City of Kingston uses behavioural-based interviewing to get a better understanding of a candidate's technical knowledge and work experience. The interview questions are based on key competencies (i.e. subject matter knowledge and skills or decision-making) to objectively measure a potential employee’s past behaviours as a predictor of future results. Candidates are asked to give specific examples of when they demonstrated particular behaviours or skills using the S.T.A.R. method (stating the situation, task, action and results).

Depending on the job competition, candidates may be required to participate in testing (i.e. Microsoft Office, Excel, Driver testing, Customer Service simulations, etc.). Assessments/testing are another way for the hiring team to evaluate candidates beyond the interview. Testing is directly related to the position.

Following your interview, you may be asked to provide references, including contact information for previous employers or colleagues who can speak to your work ethic, skills, and professional demeanour.

An offer of employment is the next step following the completion of employment references. At this time, the Recruitment & Selection Advisor will thoroughly review the job offer, which would include: start date, hourly rate of pay/ salary, vacation, benefits and pension entitlements, work arrangement (i.e. hybrid, on-site) and conditions of employment.

As a part of the onboarding process, you will be asked for proof of the required education, certifications and designations as a condition of employment.

Successful applicants will also be required to submit a criminal background check (CPIC) which can be obtained from Kingston Police. The City of Kingston will reimburse the cost of the CPIC. Both references and background checks contribute to a comprehensive assessment of a candidate's suitability for a role, which helps our team make informed hiring decisions.