| How to Apply to Become a Lighthouse Keeper
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Because this website on BC lighthouse keeper memories is read by many people, I occassionally receive questions about how to become a lighthouse keeper. The first task is to read the job description given here which I found on the Public Service Commission of Canada (PSC) website under "Current Opportunities". Most of the highlighted links on this page should still work even if the competition has closed. Note, the description is for a level 3 lightkeeper (LI - 03). Grades (and pay scales) run from one to nine with a principal keeper usually starting at grade 5 or 6. For a full list of the latest pay scales please click here. This shows the wages from the latest Collective Agreement with the Treasury Board of Canada.  When you reach the page (part shown above), enter the following: "Province/Territory: British Columbia, Job Category: Labour and Trades, Advertisement Name: Assistant Lightkeeper" in the correct boxes and then press the "Start the Search" button. Please note, this is not available after the closing date (in this case October 31, 2007) so you will have to keep checking back at the PSC website for a new competition. I will make them available as soon as I hear that a new competition is posted. Once you have read and understood everything, you can even apply online here. If you haven't registered before you will have to obtain an "applicant number and password" here. FAQs: 1. Can a husband and wife team be hired these days? Yes, but only one of them will be on pay. 2. Can a wife find work on the lighthouse? Yes, usually when the station is short one person due to holidays or sickness. 3. Can a woman become a lighthouse keeper? Yes, the PSC "promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman". 4. If I indicate that I am a woman, does this give me more of an advantage? No, the PSC selects each person based on knowledge, ability and personal suitability. 5. If my wife and I both applied and won would we be sent to the same lighthouse? No, there is only one principal and one assistant keeper per station. 6. If my wife and I were sent to different lighthouses could we have time off together? Yes, if approved by the department and it fit in with other station leave plans. 7. Is a lighthouse lonely? Only if you make it so. Please let me know if any of the active links on this page are not working. I will try and keep it updated. | |
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| John Coldwell (retired BC lighthouse keeper) Galvanistrasse 8 A-4040 Linz, Austria Tel: +43 (732) 750515  |