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Backgrounder - National Area of Selection (NAOS)

Greater access to job opportunities for Canadians

How it all started

Under the Public Service Employment Act, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has the authority to set geographic limits on who can apply for jobs in the federal public service. The PSC sets out requirements and guidelines on these geographic boundaries in its Policy on Area of Selection (NAOS).

The implementation of a national area of selection or NAOS took place gradually, as part of a multi-phased approach. The expansion started in 2001 for jobs open to the public at the executive (senior) level. In April 2006, officer-level jobs open to the public and located in the National Capital Region became subject to the NAOS. A national area of selection was then applied across the country to officer-level jobs in April 2007. Officer-level jobs consist of scientific, professional, technical and administration positions. Examples include commerce officers, statisticians and technicians.

In December 2007, the Public Service Commission of Canada (PSC) began pilot projects on the expansion of NAOS to non-officer level positions (administrative support staff) open to the public. Starting December 31, 2008, NAOS will be extended to non-officer-level jobs of more than six months in duration. Since October 21, 2008, NAOS also applies to all full-time post-secondary positions in the Federal Student Work Experience Program.

What NAOS means for Canadians

An expanded NAOS increases access to federal jobs for persons who reflect a myriad of backgrounds, skills and professions needed to serve Canadians in their official language of choice. For Canadians, this expansion means that they can apply for jobs with the federal public service regardless of where they live.

As of April 2006, the use of NAOS increased the proportion of jobs open nationally for Canadians from 19% to 29%. This proportion has risen to 55% as a result of the expansion that took place in April 2007. Starting December 31, 2008, NAOS will extend to non-officer jobs (administrative support staff) and externally advertised positions of more than six months in duration, as well as to students taking part in the Federal Student Work Experience program (FSWEP).

Public Service Commission support for federal departments and agencies

Federal departments and agencies that make appointments to the public service in accordance with the Public Service Employment Act must respect the PSC’s Policy on Area of Selection, which includes changes to NAOS.

The PSC has been proactive in assisting organizations in adopting the NAOS requirements. It has put in place a Web site to support organizations during the implementation of NAOS. To further facilitate implementation, the PSC made the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS) – a Web-based recruitment and screening tool – available to all its regional offices. PSRS has also been made available to departments and agencies, some of which are able to manage their own advertisements and screening processes directly. The PSC is now also using the same technology for FWSEP jobs.

The PSC remains committed to ensuring a merit-based and non-partisan public service in which appointments are based on the values of fairness, transparency, access and representativeness.

For more information on NAOS, please visit the PSC Web site at http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/plcy-pltq/frame-cadre/policy-politique/naos-zns-eng.htm.

For more information:

Media Relations
Public Service Commission
(613) 947-7269
media@psc-cfp.gc.ca
www.psc-cfp.gc.ca

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Date Modified:: 2008-12-31

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