u/Supermoonyellow

Hey everyone,

I’m in an OPS fixed-term position and my current contract ends a few days before I would reach the 18-month conversion eligibility threshold.
My manager mentioned that an extension to bridge that gap isn’t guaranteed and would depend on whether there’s a vacant position available. They also said that if I continue, it could be through a seasonal contract instead of an extension, depending on staffing needs. (Which would reset my conversion eligibility…)

I understand there are operational limitations and that decisions are based on vacancy and business need — I’m not expecting anything automatic. I’m just trying to be proactive and understand how this typically plays out in practice so I can plan ahead.

For people who’ve been in similar situations:

1. When someone is close to the 18-month mark, do extensions to bridge eligibility tend to happen often, or is it more common that staffing decisions override that?

2)If conversion is possible, does it usually depend heavily on a specific classified vacancy being available at the time?

3. In situations like this, is it generally better to wait and see how it unfolds, or start actively moving on if there’s no clear indication early on?

(I’ve also been applying elsewhere but haven’t had much luck with interviews yet, so just trying to understand my options realistically.)

Appreciate any insight!