CBSA Border Services Officer Trainee (Developmental) – FB-02

About the position

Work environment
The CBSA is the first point of entry for travellers and goods arriving to Canada. We are, in effect, the face of Canada. The CBSA was established in December 2003. Its creation integrated border functions related to customs, immigration, enforcement, and food, plant, and animal inspection.

The CBSA supports both national security and economic prosperity by preventing the entry of those travellers or goods posing a potential threat to Canada while at the same time facilitating the flow of people and legitimate goods across the borders. Why work for us? It’s simple. Our mandate is unique. We are a diverse, inclusive and respectful workforce. As one of the largest public service organizations in Canada, we can offer a variety of interesting and challenging opportunities; and we take your professional development to heart.🍁 Are you ready for a career on the frontline?
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/multimedia/bso/hiring-embauche-eng.html🛑 PERSONAL DECISION POINT
By applying for a CBSA Officer Trainee (Developmental) position, you are confirming that you are willing to accept an invitation to the Officer Induction Training Program (OITP) which includes your assigned duty placement that may be anywhere in Canada.The CBSA is a national organization with ports of entry located across the country, including some in rural and/or remote communities. While we consider your work location placement preferences when possible, duty placements are based on organizational and operational needs, including language requirements, and cannot be guaranteed.Successful completion of the OITP is mandatory before you can be appointed to a position. Before you apply, make sure you are genuinely ready to make this commitment both personally and professionally. Note: These positions do not qualify for flexibility under the Hybrid Work Model.SECURITY SCREENING
Due to the enforcement role of the CBSA and the sensitive nature of the work that a CBSA Officer Trainee (Developmental) performs, you must obtain and maintain an enhanced secret clearance. The CBSA carefully assesses the integrity of new applicants with regard to security risks. To help you determine whether pursuing this career path is right for you, we strongly encourage you to complete the Personnel Security Screening Self-Assessment Questionnaire before you apply: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/job-emploi/recruitment-recrutement/qualification-eng.html#a03

Intent of the process
The intent of this process is to assess and qualify applicants to participate in the OITP at the Canada Border Services College and participate in on-the-job development.

Applications will be selected from the Public Service Resourcing System inventory periodically, based on the CBSA’s organizational priorities and operational needs to build a diverse and high performing frontline workforce. This includes advancing employment equity representation, supporting employee career transition, and strengthening bilingual capacity to meet service delivery requirements across Canada.

Important messages
When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.
The CBSA uses the self-evaluation tool and Physical Abilities Test (PAT) to assess your physical fitness and your ability to perform physically demanding "use of force training”. The PAT will be performed during the in-residence part of the OITP and is not a pass or fail exercise but simply an evaluation of your level of fitness. If you fall below the minimum standards of the test, your risk of failure or injury in the program increases.

To evaluate your current fitness level and determine how to train and condition yourself to arrive prepared, please visit: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/job-emploi/recruitment-recrutement/assessment-evaluation/fitness-aptitude/menu-eng.html📌 YOU ARE READY TO APPLY IF YOU: ✅ Are at least 18 years old to participate in the OITP.✅ Have a secondary school (high school) diploma or equivalency, obtained a satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission (PSC) test approved as an employer-approved alternative, or are willing to write the test coordinated by the CBSA. If you have foreign education credentials, you have obtained proof of Canadian equivalency.✅ Have a valid, unrestricted driver’s license to legally drive in Canada.✅ Are willing and able to accept an invitation and make yourself available to participate in the OITP. ✅ Are able to confidently speak, read, and write on your own in a workplace setting in English for an English Essential position OR English AND French for a bilingual position. ✅ Are physically fit and willing to maintain your physical fitness to meet the standards of the PAT. ✅ Are willing and able to carry a firearm, defensive equipment and use physical force when necessary.⚠️ All information obtained throughout the selection process from the time of application to the close of the process (including your overall conduct and behaviour, oral and written communications, email correspondence with CBSA or third-party organizations) may be used in the assessment process, including the assessment of qualifications and competencies. Any behaviour that breaches the CBSA’s Code of Conduct or Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, including providing false, misleading, or fraudulent information, and/or breaching a signed confidentiality agreement, may result in your removal from the selection process. This includes creating or using multiple accounts or submitting more than one application as well as providing false information in your application. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is also strictly prohibited during all assessments. Any use of AI will be considered cheating and may result in your removal from the process.⚠️OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• Throughout the process we will communicate with you by email—make sure you provide the email address that is connected to your GC jobs account and that it is valid and can be checked often (including your spam/junk folders). Add “[email protected]” to your safe sender list so you do not miss any important information and inform us as soon as possible of any changes to your contact information.
• Your application and answers to the screening questions must clearly show how you meet each criterion. Use specific examples and include details about when, where, and how you gained the experience or demonstrated the requirement. If your responses do not clearly demonstrate the screening criteria, or if there are inconsistencies in your application, it may result in your removal from the selection process. Applicants will not be asked to provide incomplete or missing information.
• Some assessments required as part of the selection process have an associated cost (i.e. firearms safety courses, obtaining fingerprints for security clearance, etc.) for which you are responsible and reimbursements are not provided.
• To manage the volume of applicants, different strategies may be used.
• To be appointed to a position, you must meet all the essential qualifications, operational requirements, and conditions of employment. You may also need to meet asset qualifications or organizational needs.

Conditions of employment

• Possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted driver’s license that allows the holder to drive a motor vehicle in Canada.
• Successful completion of the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) and pass the tests.
• Possess and maintain a valid Standard First Aid Certificate from a qualified provider approved by any province or territory in Canada, and as defined in Part XVI of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
• Obtain and maintain an enhanced secret clearance.
• Carry, use and maintain CBSA-issued defensive equipment, in accordance with the CBSA’s policies and directives. Note: The duties will require you to carry and use a duty firearm as well as other defensive equipment such as oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray and a baton. You must meet and maintain the medical, behavioural, psychological and physical requirements and to re-certify in the use and maintenance of the duty firearm and defensive equipment.
• Work various shifts on rotation, weekends as well as statutory holidays.
• Wear and maintain a uniform as per the CBSA Uniform Policy and Standards of Appearance.
• Work overtime as required.
• Operate a government vehicle.
• Travel as requested (in Canada, Continental USA and/or International).
• Undergo a medical examination for isolated posts.
• Obtain and maintain a Transportation Security Clearance as required.
• Accept an assigned posting anywhere in Canada.

Operational Requirements

Successful completion of the Canada Border Services Agency Officer Induction Training Program.

You need (essential for the job)

Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following

A secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternative (see note 1).

Note 1: The employer-approved alternative to a secondary school diploma is a satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission (PSC) test* approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma.*A federal government equivalency test arranged by the CBSA.Notes:
• Learn more about the PSC test here: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/staffing/qualification-standards/core.html#toc5
• Proof of an educational credential that is higher than the education required may be acceptable. For example, proof of a degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution may be acceptable when a secondary school diploma is required.
• Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Contact the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials to find out which organizations across Canada perform these assessments (www.cicic.ca).
• Equivalencies granted by Canadian provincial and territorial authorities (e.g., Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) which is a secondary school equivalent) will be accepted as equivalent to the respective education level.
• A combination of education, training and/or experience will NOT be considered as an alternative to a secondary school diploma.Additional information:
Applicants who already meet the following criteria must be accepted as meeting the secondary school diploma requirement for the FB Group only:
a. Those who were converted on an indeterminate basis to a Border Services (FB) position; or
b. Those who were appointed or deployed on an indeterminate basis to a Border Services (FB) position and have already attained a satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission test approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma; or
c. Those who were appointed or deployed on an indeterminate basis to a Border Services (FB) position using an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Learn more about degree equivalency.

Applied / assessed at a later date

Behavioural Competencies:
• Analytical Thinking
• Client Service Orientation
• Dealing with Difficult Situations
• Decisiveness
• Effective Interactive Communication
• Judgement
• Personal Integrity
• Values and Ethics

Technical Competencies:
• Writing Skills
• Reasoning SkillsReview the competency definitions for the:
• Officer Trainee Entrance Exam: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/job-emploi/recruitment-recrutement/assessment-evaluation/exam-examen-eng.html#a02
• Interview: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/job-emploi/recruitment-recrutement/assessment-evaluation/steps-etapes-eng.html#a03

Language requirements (essential for the job)

Applied / assessed at a later date

Various language requirements - Various language requirements - English Essential or Bilingual Imperative (BBB/BBB)

The CBSA is committed to creating a workplace that is respectful of Canada’s two official languages. You will be asked to confirm your preferred official language in your application and are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of your choice. Second language assessments are done by the Public Service Commission (PSC). You may be asked to provide valid PSC results if you have them. Take a self-assessment test to give yourself an idea of the proficiency level you could attain on the official test: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/second-language-testing-public-service/self-assessment-tests.html

Learn more about language requirements.

You may need (asset qualifications)

May be applied / assessed at a later date

📢 Asset qualifications are not mandatory and your application will not be hindered if you apply without them; however, if you possess one or more asset criteria, you are encouraged to provide further information in your online application as they may be invoked during the assessment process.

👉 Post-secondary education in a related field* to the work to be performed.*A related field to the work to be performed is defined as studying in one of the following areas:
• Law, legal studies, or criminology
• Security, policing, or criminal justice
• International relations or political science
• Enforcement and regulatory studies (customs and border management, immigration studies, intelligence studies)
• Human behavior and social understanding (psychology, sociology)

👉 Significant* experience working in a Canadian law enforcement environment** relevant to the work to be performed.

*Significant is defined by the importance and scope of activities, and the diversity of the files to be managed, normally corresponding to experience acquired over a period of two years.**Canadian law enforcement environment relevant to the position is defined as working in one of the following areas:
• Federal law enforcement (CBSA, RCMP, CSIS)
• Provincial or municipal policing
• Regulatory and compliance enforcement (food inspection agencies, environmental enforcement, transportation security)
• Security and protective services (corrections officer, prison guard, private security, protective services)
• Investigation and intelligence roles (fraud investigators, customs investigators, intelligence analyst, cybercrime investigators)

👉 Significant* Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) experience.

*Significant is defined as having been employed by the CAF for at least three consecutive years. Serving CAF members and veterans may qualify. A veteran is defined as having served in the CAF and been honorably discharged.

👉 Current or recent experience working as a uniformed Student Border Services Officer (SBSO).

To meet the SBSO asset criterion, all the following criteria must be met:
• Currently working as a uniformed SBSO OR worked as a uniformed SBSO within the last eight months from the date of application; AND,
• Worked as a uniformed SBSO for at least eight months.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
The CBSA is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects Canada’s population. As such, for our selection decision we may first consider candidates who meet the qualifications of the position and who:
• self-declare as belonging to one or more employment equity group (Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, women) to advance representation where there are gaps;
• are bilingual (French and English) to strengthen bilingual capacity to meet service delivery requirements across Canada; and/or,
• are CBSA employees and have been impacted by workforce adjustment and been identified as affected or surplus employees as the CBSA is committed to supporting and prioritizing their continued career progression within the Agency.

Our commitment

We're committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please contact the hiring organization below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Learn more about assessment accommodation.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you apply.

Learn more about diversity and inclusion in the public service.

The CBSA is committed to building and promoting a skilled, equitable and inclusive workforce to benefit from diverse experiences and perspectives, representative of Canadian society. All people who believe they are qualified are encouraged to apply, including members of visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities and persons of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. A self-declaration will not hinder opportunities for individuals. The CBSA welcomes applications from eligible veterans and CAF members. We recognize your contribution to Canada and would like to offer you the opportunity to continue your career in an environment where multi-talented employees with diverse skills are appreciated and supported.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first, followed by Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of jobs located in Nunavut or Yukon. For positions located in Nunavut, qualified Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement will be appointed first. For positions located in Yukon, qualified Yukon First Nations will be appointed first, followed by qualified Indigenous persons.

Learn more about preference to veterans.

How to apply

Learn more about applying for Government of Canada jobs.

Information you must provide

• Your résumé

We'd like to thank all those who apply. However, only the people selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Additional links

The Border Is Calling: Are You Ready?
Public service group insurance includes health, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage. See benefit plans.
CBSA Code of Conduct.
Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector.
Before you apply, there are a few things you need to know about the selection process: Find out if you qualify.
Still a student? Find out how to become a student border services officer.
Learn more about rates of pay, working conditions, terms and conditions of employment, and leave provisions of the job: Border Services (FB) collective agreement.
Obtain your firearms licenses via the Canadian Firearms Program.
Learn more, including how to prepare for second language evaluation in the public service.

Hiring organization contact

Name: National Officer Recruitment Program
Email address: [email protected]

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