Two-Year AS-02 Opportunities at the Pension Centre in Shediac: What to Know

If you live near Shediac, New Brunswick, and you’ve been looking for a way into the federal public service that doesn’t require a specialized degree, this inventory might be exactly what you need. Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is hiring up to 100 Client Experience Advisors at the AS-02 level for two-year term positions at the Government of Canada Pension Centre. The pay is solid for the region—$68,849 to $74,180—and the work is structured around client service over the phone and through digital channels. That said, this is not a direct hire for a specific job; it’s an inventory that PSPC will draw from over the next year or more. Most roles require bilingualism at the CBC/CBC level, and you must live or work within a 40 km radius of the Shediac office. Let’s walk through what makes this opportunity worth your time and where the real challenges lie.

Three reasons this inventory is worth a look (and the trade-offs)

1. Professional value: a real paycheck and federal benefits

At $68,849 to $74,180, this AS-02 salary is competitive for the Shediac area and comes with the full package of Government of Canada benefits—pension, health insurance, paid leave, and training. Even though the positions are temporary two-year terms, federal term contracts often lead to indeterminate (permanent) roles, especially in a large contact centre operation that turns over regularly. PSPC also highlights flexible work arrangements including hybrid work, learning opportunities, and a focus on well-being. For someone early in their federal career or looking to make a lateral move into a different department, this is a legitimate stepping stone. The catch, of course, is that it’s temporary—but two years of solid federal experience can open doors.

2. Work reality: contact centre life with rotations and overtime

Don’t romanticize this job. Most positions are in the telephony contact centre, meaning you’ll be on the phone with clients for the bulk of your day. The posting makes clear that you must be willing to work overtime on short notice and rotate to different sections within the Pension Centre. Normal hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Atlantic Time, and shifts are scheduled within that window—so you won’t be picking your hours freely. The work involves providing front-line service to a broad client base that includes active and retired federal employees, survivors, and plan members. It can be fast-paced, repetitive, and emotionally demanding when callers are frustrated. On the upside, PSPC invests in training and development, and you’ll join a team that values collaboration. If you thrive on structured, phone-based client service and want a stable public-sector environment, this could be a good fit. If you need autonomy or prefer varied tasks, you may find the contact centre grind wearing.

3. Screening reality: inventory process with a tight location and language barrier

This is an inventory, not a job competition for a single vacancy. Applications are reviewed periodically—the next extraction is December 18, 2025—and the process continues until the closing date of May 20, 2026. That means you could wait months before hearing back. The essential criteria are broad: a secondary school diploma (or approved alternative), experience serving the public in any channel, experience researching and resolving client problems, and regular use of common office software and databases. Most people with a few years of customer service work will meet these. But the real filters are geography and language: you must reside or occupy a position within 40 km of 10 Weldon Street in Shediac, and the majority of positions require bilingualism at the CBC/CBC level (English essential positions are rare). If you don’t have solid second-language skills, your chances drop fast. Security clearance is only Reliability Status, which is the lowest federal level, so no major clearance hurdle.

Who should apply (and who should skip)

Apply if:

• You live within commuting distance of Shediac (Sackville, Moncton, Dieppe, etc.)
• You meet the CBC/CBC bilingual requirement—or are willing to take the Public Service Commission tests soon
• You have solid client service experience and can prove it with specific examples
• You’re okay with a temporary term and the possibility of shift work in a contact centre

Skip if:

• You don’t live within 40 km of the Shediac office (the posting is strict)
• You aren’t bilingual and aren’t prepared to become CBC/CBC level
• You’re looking for a permanent, indeterminate position right now
• You dislike phone-based work or have a low tolerance for repetitive, high-volume service roles

The inventory is broad enough that a wide range of applicants will qualify, but the location and language requirements narrow the field significantly. If you’re outside the geographic ring, this is not worth applying to.

What to prepare for your application

The application asks for your résumé, contact information for two references, and a text question addressing references and conditions of employment. The critical part is your résumé: you need to clearly show how you meet the three essential experiences. Don’t assume the screener will read between the lines. Use specific examples from your work history that demonstrate:

• Providing service to the public (in person, by phone, or in writing). Even retail, hospitality, or call centre work qualifies.
• Researching information and resolving problems in a client service environment. This could be handling complaints, finding answers to customer questions, or troubleshooting issues.
• Regular use of word processing, spreadsheets, internet, and online databases. If you’ve used Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, or a CRM system, mention it explicitly.

If you have any of the asset experiences—contact centre work, federal benefits (CPP, EI, etc.), or a finance-related role—make sure those are listed. They won’t be essential but can give you an edge when the inventory is searched.

There is no mention of a cover letter, but you may be asked to respond to a text question about references and conditions of employment. Keep your answer brief and professional.

The real gate: language and location

The single biggest barrier here is the bilingual requirement. Most positions are “Bilingual – imperative (CBC/CBC),” which means you must already have the second-language skills at that level (reading, writing, and oral). If you studied French or English in school but haven’t been tested, you’ll need to pass the Public Service Commission language tests. That can take planning and practice. A few English essential positions may exist, but the posting says “a few” compared to the majority. Unless you are a strong bilingual candidate, treat this as a bilingual job and prepare accordingly.

The 40 km radius is also firm. If you live in Moncton, Sackville, or even Bouctouche, you’re likely fine. But if you’re in Saint John or Halifax, don’t apply—the posting explicitly limits eligibility to employees who already work or reside within that radius. This is an unusual location restriction for a federal process, so respect it.

Final thoughts: Is it worth your time?

This is a legitimate entry point to Government of Canada jobs, but it’s not a golden ticket. The inventory process means you may be waiting months before even being contacted, and the term nature adds uncertainty. However, the pay is solid for the region, the essential criteria are achievable for most people with client service backgrounds, and the sheer number of positions (100) suggests that PSPC genuinely needs to fill a lot of roles. If you fit the location and bilingual profile, apply cleanly—focus on clear, evidence-based examples in your résumé—and then move on to other applications. Do not spend your whole weekend on this unless you’re also preparing for the language tests. Paid resume support could help you articulate your experience in GC-friendly terms, but you can definitely do this yourself if you take the time to read the qualifications carefully.

Practical next move: Before you apply, check your second-language level. If you’re not sure, consider taking a sample CBC test online. Update your résumé to highlight client service, problem-solving, and computer skills with concrete results. Then submit with your references and answer the text question. After that, set a reminder to follow up after the December 2025 extraction if you haven’t heard back. Good luck.