Registration & Applying for Jobs
1. How do I register with Turtle Island Staffing?
Our pre-registration process starts on our website. Click on the “REGISTER” tab located on the tool bar. Fill out the required information and upload your current resume. One of our qualified consultants will review and assess your resume and invite selected candidates for an interview to complete the registration process. Then you can start applying for jobs so that the recruiters can begin to receive your application for specific positions.
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions
2. I am already registered with Turtle Island Staffing, how can I update my profile and resume?
You can update your profile by going to the “SEARCH JOBS” page on our website where you will see “My Information” on the left hand side. Click on the “GO” button beside “My Information”, and once you log in, you will be able to upload updated resumes to your profile.
3. I registered a long time ago and I’m looking for work again. What do I do?
A few things:
Make sure you are applying for recent NEW jobs on the website so that we know you are still looking for work. Also make sure you have an updated resume on your profile (see question #2).
If you are in touch with a Recruiter already, you can send an updated resume to them by email to remind Turtle Island Staffing that you are available again.
4. How do I know if a job posting is still available?
Job postings are generally valid for 2 business days after the date they are posted on our website. Even if you apply for an expired position, we will still receive your resume and are able to keep it on file for the next available similar position.
HELPFUL TIP: When searching for jobs on our website, do not type in any key words or check mark any of the boxes of locations. Just click “SEARCH”, and you will see a list of all the jobs we have, with the most recent at the top. You will be able to tell which ones are still available by looking at the date posted - anything over 2 days is likely closed already.
5. What if I see a job from Turtle Island Staffing posted on Job Bank or Indeed?
First, check our website to see if that position has been posted in the last 2 days. Jobs posted on external websites may already be closed because external websites often pull our postings to their website days or weeks after they’ve been published on our website.
6. I am applying for jobs, why am I not being contacted?
The position you’ve applied for may be closed if applying more than 2 days after it was posted. You may not have the necessary qualifications, government experience, or security clearance required. Your resume may not clearly show all of the mandatory requirements listed in the job posting for the position you are applying for.
If none of these are the case, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire.
7. Is there any cost associated with registering?
Our services are always 100% FREE for every candidate. However, when processing a security clearance application, Public Works may request fingerprints or other documentation (i.e. certificates of good conducts and basic disclosure), for which there may be a cost for the applicant in obtaining them. These may or may not be requested by Public Works, depending on your international activities, or random verification efforts. There is no obligation to obtain these documents, but please note the Clearance request will be cancelled if requested documents are not provided by the identified deadline.
8. Do I have to be Aboriginal (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) to be represented by Turtle Island Staffing?
No. We represent qualified candidates from all backgrounds. Additionally, we are pre-qualified for the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business (PSAB) program, which allows us to access business within the Federal Government that is exclusive to Aboriginal owned businesses.
9. What kind of positions do you staff?
We currently provide staffing services to clients including the Federal Government, mainly in the NCR (National Capital Region) as well as Crown Corporations and private organizations (including not-for-profit organizations). Our Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal candidates work in the Administrative, IT, Industrial and Professional fields.
10. When do you conduct interviews?
Our interview hours are Monday to Friday, generally from 9AM-5PM. If you have a full-time work schedule, we are happy to accommodate you during the lunch hour. If you wish to reschedule please call 613-567-8828.
11. Will I be paid for Statutory Holidays?
If you are employed by Turtle Island Staffing, you are entitled to payment as per this statement from the Ministry of Labour: “The amount of public holiday pay to which an employee is entitled is all of the regular wages earned by the employee in the four work weeks before the work week with the public holiday plus all of the vacation pay payable to the employee with respect to the four work weeks before the work week with the public holiday, divided by 20.” The Ministry of Labour lists 9 public holidays in Ontario: New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day
12.What is a Security Clearance?
A security clearance is a background check that allows you to access and handle certain kinds of classified information. They are conducted by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) and by the RCMP. Most positions in the Federal Government require a security clearance either at Level I (Enhanced Reliability), Level II (Secret), and Level III (Top Secret).
13. Do I need to have a Security Clearance to apply for jobs with your company?
Since most of our positions are with federal government clients, applicants must possess a Security Clearance in order to be eligible to be submitted for a position. If you do not plan on filling out the Clearance forms online, please contact our office so that we can update your file. See question #14 for more about the process to obtain a Security Clearance.
14. What is the process to obtain a Security Clearance?
Candidates can only obtain a Security Clearance through an agency or directly through a government department. Turtle Island Staffing can only start the security clearance process once we see that you are qualified for the types of jobs we receive, and that you have lived in Canada for 5 years out of the past 5 years.
After you meet with on one of our recruiters, we can then make the online application available for you to complete. It will be sent to your email address, and it is your responsibility to fill it out and submit it online in a timely manner. The application will come to you in an email from Public Works (OLISS), and it may go to your junk mail, so be sure to watch for it. Electronic fingerprints may be required to receive the security clearance application – and associated costs are the candidate’s responsibility.
15. The online application from Public Works says I have to print and fax the completed application to your office. Do I have to do this?
No. You do not have to print or fax in any parts of the online application forms. We do that at our office after you’ve submitted the forms online via the OLISS portal.
If you wish to print a completed copy of the application for you own record, you may do so; however, you must print it before you submit the application online. Once you submit the application online, your information will not appear in the printed version.
16. How long does it take to process a clearance?
Processing times depend on PWGSC’s application volume and associated backlogs. Enhanced Reliability clearance applications, can take 2 to 8 weeks, or more; Secret clearance applications, can take 6 to 12 months, or more, and Top Secret applications can take 1 year or more.
17. How do I know when I am cleared or when my security clearance is granted?
You will receive an e-mail from our Security Department with the file # and expiry date.
One (1) year before your clearance expires, please notify us so that we can send you the online application to update your clearance. Otherwise, once your expiry date passes, your security clearance will be terminated and you will have to start the process all over again.
18. I already have a clearance with another agency. Can’t you use it?
Every agency that hopes to place you has to apply to duplicate your clearance from Public Works. Your certificate is only good for the agency whose name is on it. Therefore you must complete all the PDF forms AND the online Public Works (OLISS) application that will be sent to you from our firm in the event we place you with one of our clients.
19. Where do I find a paper timesheet to complete?
All Turtle Island Staffing contractors must complete e-timesheets.