Employee Referral Pilot: Supporting Calgary’s Water System
The Employee Referral Pilot is a targeted recruitment initiative designed to help The City connect with qualified candidates for critical and hard-to-fill positions required to support the stabilization and sustainability of Calgary’s water system.
This pilot complements our existing recruitment and talent attraction efforts by helping us reach individuals with specialized technical and operational experience through the professional networks of City employees. This approach can help us connect with qualified, public service-minded candidates who may not be reached through traditional recruitment methods alone.
Applying as a referred candidate
If you have been referred by a current City of Calgary or Calgary Police Service employee, you must:
To ensure your referral is recognized, this information must be provided when you submit your application. Referrals cannot be added after an application has been submitted, nor can an employee submit the referral on your behalf.
If you were referred by more than one employee, please note that only the first employee named in your application can be recognized as the referring employee.
Eligibility
To be considered as a referred candidate, you must:
Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
Apply to a job posting identified as eligible for the Employee Referral Pilot.
Not be a current employee of The City of Calgary.
Be hired into a referral eligible position and successfully complete your probationary period.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the pilot run for?
The pilot is a temporary initiative that is scheduled to run until Dec. 31, 2026.
How do I know if a position is part of the pilot?
Eligible positions will be identified in two ways:
- (Referral Eligible) will be in the position job title.
- There will be a note on the posting: “This position is eligible for a referral incentive under the Employee Referral Pilot for water-related Recruitment.”
Who can be referred?
Referred candidates must meet the minimum qualifications for the position and must not be current employees of The City of Calgary.
What if more than one employee referred me?
If more than one employee referred you, only the first employee you identify in your application will be recognized as the referring employee.
Do I still need to submit a complete application?
Yes. Referred candidates must complete the same application process as all other applicants, including submitting all required information and documents outlined in the job posting.
I was referred by a City employee. What do I need to do?
You must apply through the regular online application process and identify the name of the employee who referred you in the referral source questionnaire when you submit your application.
Can I let you know who referred me after I've submitted an application?
No. Referral information must be provided during the application process. Candidates should ensure they identify their referring employee when completing the online application.
Does being referred guarantee an interview?
No. A referral does not guarantee an interview. All applicants must meet the qualifications and requirements of the position and are considered through The City’s standard recruitment and selection processes.
Does being referred improve my chances of being hired?
No. Referred candidates do not receive preferential treatment. All applicants are assessed using the same recruitment and selection processes, qualifications, evaluation criteria, and hiring standards. Hiring decisions are based on qualifications, experience, and job-related requirements.
How does the Employee Referral Pilot support fair hiring?
Employee referrals are simply one way that candidates may learn about opportunities at The City. Referrals help expand awareness of career opportunities but do not provide any advantage in the selection process. All applicants are assessed against the same qualifications, criteria, and hiring standards to ensure fairness, consistency, and equity in hiring decisions.