There's no link between an internal call to fill two senior positions within the Department of Highways and Public Works and the recent auditor general's report, a department spokeswoman said today.

Deb Wald said the jobs were posted to fill vacancies left before Sheila Fraser dropped a bundle of criticism on the department last Friday.

Fraser was critical of the highway maintenance branch for not addressing long-term maintenance needs and costs, and for not taking steps to correct a consistent problem with tenders consistently coming in over-budget.

She was also critical of the department's property management section for its consistent use of sole-source contracts to provide for additional office space.

Wald said the vacant position of operations manager for the department's property management branch was posted Jan. 26 as a temporary assignment.

The position is being filled using the government's succession plan to provide training and development opportunties for employees in house, she said.

The positon of superintendent for maintenance and planning section was posted under the same in house initiative, Wald said.

Employees considering the superintendent's position were asked to respond with letters of interest by tomorrow, to fill the job between Feb. 12 and July 31, at a salary rate of $73,342 to $95,246 annually.

Employees interested in the position of operation managers were asked to respond with letters of interest by Friday, to fill the job between Feb. 12 and July 31, at a salary rate of $62,383 to $72,073.

It's not known when or how the management positions were vacated.

Archie Lang, the minister responsible for the department, told the Star this morning he knew nothing of the job posting. He indicated he does not get involved with his department at that level.

Advertisements to fill the vacancies were posted just two weeks after John Stecyk was removed by Premier Dennis Fentie. Stecyk was hired by former Liberal premier Pat Duncan.