CBSA Officer Trainee (FB-02) - Developmental Program (Bilingual Positions Only)

Update: Links have been updated.

Important messages

We are 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 use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory of applicants, for future bilingual vacancies. As bilingual positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

Candidates must be proficient in both English and French to perform the duties of the job. To be considered for appointment, you must have valid language test results or be tested for language proficiency in reading, writing and oral interactions in your second official language. As such, Second Language Evaluations will be conducted early in the selection process, whereby BBB/BBB levels must be attained. Applicants who do not meet the requirements of a bilingual position will not be considered further in the process.

Great care is taken to ensure the right people are chosen to become a CBSA Officer Trainee. The foundation of a career with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is built by ensuring people have the right qualifications and are provided with the knowledge and training to work in an armed law enforcement environment. To become a Border Services Officer (BSO), recruits must successfully complete the Officer Induction Training Program (OITP), as well as the Officer Induction Developmental Program (OID Program) as an Officer Trainee. After approximately two years in the OITP and OID Program, successful Officer Trainees embark on their careers as BSOs with the CBSA.

CBSA employees, including Officer Trainees, must adhere to the principles outlined in the Values and Ethics for the Public Sector and the CBSA Code of Conduct.

The CBSA is committed to increasing representation of Black employees and other racialized groups, Indigenous People, women and persons with disabilities. The CBSA would like its workforce to be reflective of the population it serves. Therefore, we encourage candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a member of one of these groups.

Duties

BEFORE YOU APPLY

We strongly encourage you to complete the Personnel Security Screening Self-Assessment Questionnaire, which may help you determine whether pursuing a career as a CBSA Officer Trainee is the right career path for you. Since meeting the basic requirements are often acquired on your own time and at your own expense, it is prudent to determine whether your character, and your past and present lifestyle are a good fit for a career with the CBSA.

In addition to meeting the bilingual requirement of the position, there are four basic requirements that you must possess. Only applicants who can demonstrate that they meet these basic requirements will be considered in the selection process.

As a means to manage high volumes of applicants, please note that achieving the pass mark on any of the assessments used does not mean you will immediately move forward in the selection process. Management may decide to use a top-down selection at any stage of the process.

Management may also choose to invoke an asset or an Employment Equity criteria at any point of the process based on operational and employment equity needs.

You must be prepared to provide original documentation and/or a copy of the original at any time during the selection process, as proof that you have successfully completed/possess these four basic requirements:

Basic requirements at the time of application:
1. Secondary school diploma

Basic requirements during the recruitment process *Proof will be required.*:
2. Possess and maintain a valid unrestricted driver's license that allows the holder to drive a motor vehicle in Canada.
3. Successful completion of the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) and pass the tests. Please visit the Canadian Firearms Program’s website for further information.
4. Successful completion of a physical abilities standard as established by the CBSA.

IMPORTANT DECISION POINT

When you apply to the CBSA Officer Trainee-Developmental Program selection process, you need to be aware that you are volunteering for, and committing to a posting anywhere in Canada, which may include rural, remote or isolated areas. You need to fully understand and embrace the commitment you are making.

You will be asked to participate in a Duty Placement Process (DPP) that will determine your work location posting. Postings will be based on operational requirements. The DPP follows a transparent, equal opportunity, unbiased process and allows for a preference. Various ports of entry will be available and there is a chance you may be assigned to an area of Canada that is new to you, as bilingual officers are needed across the country. Please see the Directory of CBSA Offices and Services for general information regarding the ports of entry.

Work environment

Are you interested in an exciting and dynamic career in border security? Then come join the CBSA where we value inclusiveness and are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that reflects our country’s population. We are currently recruiting bilingual candidates to work at various locations across Canada. Your days will be varied and exciting as you work to keep Canadians safe by enforcing laws and regulations, facilitating legitimate trade and travel, while upholding the CBSA’s values of integrity, respect and professionalism. You will work alongside a team of dedicated BSO who will welcome you to the frontline and provide you support to help you reach your highest potential. Career development is fostered at the CBSA and there are a number of directions you can take your career, depending on your skill set and interests. Join the CBSA where the possibilities are endless!

The CBSA provides intensive in-person training prior to becoming a BSO, along with on-the-job development once you are assigned to a port of entry. While attending in-person training at the CBSA College, you will be provided with accommodations (meals and an allowance of $125 per week to cover basic living expenses).

When you complete the training, as a CBSA Officer Trainee (FB-02 level) your annual salary will be between $64,234 and $71,525 (salary currently under review). Once you become a CBSA Officer Trainee, after only three months on the job, you will receive dental benefits, and after six months, you will receive health and pension benefits.

Upon successful completion of the development program at an assigned port of entry, you will become a BSO (FB-03 level), and your annual salary will increase to $69,486 to $82,411 (salary currently under review).

Visit the Treasury Board Rates of Pay website for more information.

Intent of the process

The intent of the process is to establish a pool of qualified candidates to participate in the OITP by attending the CBSA College and participating in on the job training.

Once candidates are successful in the selection process, they become recruits and must successfully complete facilitated online training (3 weeks), followed by 14-weeks of in-residence training* at the CBSA College in Rigaud, Quebec.

Recruits graduate from the CBSA College at the FB-02 group and level as CBSA Officer Trainees. CBSA Officer Trainees will be placed at a port of entry immediately following graduation, where they will participate in on the job training. Upon successful completion of the development program at an assigned port of entry, CBSA Officer Trainees are promoted to BSOs at the FB-03 group and level.

*Note that the training component has been amended due to COVID-19 and may be subject to change.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Essential Criteria

A secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives. *Proof will be required.*

Notes:
- Proof of an educational credential that is higher than the education required may be acceptable. For example, proof of a bachelor’s degree would be acceptable when a secondary school diploma is required.
- Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials website for further information.
- Equivalencies granted by provincial and territorial authorities (e.g. General Education Development which is a secondary school equivalent) will be accepted as equivalent to the respective education level.
- Candidates who meet the following criteria must always be accepted as meeting the prescribed 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 already have attained a satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission 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 via an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.
- A satisfactory score on the General Intelligence Test (GIT-320); the Public Service Commission’s GIT-320 test has been approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma.

Degree equivalency

Bilingual imperative BBB/BBB

Candidates must obtain the level B in all language tests (reading comprehension, written expression, and oral proficiency) in order to be considered for this position. To help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, there are optional self-assessments for all tests.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

Asset Qualifications

EDUCATION:

- Graduation with a minimum two-year college diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution. *Proof will be required.*
- Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution. A degree is a baccalaureate or higher level degree, as established by educational authorities. *Proof will be required.*
- Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in one of the following: Law, Law Enforcement, Policing, Criminology or Law and Security or specialization in a field relevant to the position. *Proof will be required.*

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:

- Experience working in a law enforcement environment relevant to the position.
- Recent* experience carrying out duties associated with the Student Border Services Officer (SBSO) job within the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP).
- Significant** Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) experience.

Notes:
*Recent experience is defined as having performed the duties of a SBSO for a period of at least one full FSWEP summer term within the last two years.
**Significant is defined as having been employed by the CAF for at least 3 consecutive years. Serving members and veterans may qualify. A veteran is defined as having served in the CAF and been honourably discharged.

Management may choose to invoke an asset(s) at any point of the process.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

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

Technical Competencies :
- Writing Skills
- Reasoning Skills

REQUIREMENTS DURING THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

Successful completion of the:
- Officer Trainee Entrance Exam;
- Interview;
- Firearms Safety Course (CFSC and CRFSC) *Proof will be required*;
- Physical Evaluation;
- Second Language Evaluation;
- Psychological Assessment;
- Medical Exam; and,
- Secret Security Clearance.

Candidates will be required to possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted driver's license that allows the holder to drive a motor vehicle in Canada. *Proof will be required.*

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

- Successful completion of the CFSC and the CRFSC and pass the tests. *Proof will be required.*
- Possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted driver's license that allows the holder to drive a motor vehicle in Canada. *Proof will be required.*
- Successful completion of a physical abilities standard as established by the CBSA.
- Successful completion of the OITP.
- Notwithstanding the posting identified through the DPP, the CBSA can, based on operational requirements and/or under special circumstances defined by the CBSA, assign candidates to other work locations anywhere in Canada, including remote or isolated posts.

Conditions of employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

- Successful completion of the CFSC and the CRFSC and pass the tests. *Proof will be required.*
- Possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted driver’s license that allows the holder to drive a motor vehicle in Canada.*Proof will be required.*
- Secret security clearance - Obtain and maintain a secret security clearance as per CBSA Security Standards.
- 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.
- Carry, use and maintain CBSA-issued defensive equipment, in accordance with the CBSA's policies and directives. (The duties of a CBSA officer trainee will require you to carry and use a duty firearm as well as other defensive equipment such as oleoresin capsicum spray and a baton in accordance with the CBSA's policies and directives. 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.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

ASSESSMENT

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.

A written exam and other evaluations may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

All the information collected during the selection process including behaviour and communication, from the time of application until the end of the process, may be used to assess the candidates.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

Persons are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of their choice.

COMMUNICATION

Candidates must provide a valid email address as communication for this process will be conducted by email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required.

Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users and are responsible to verify all folders for correspondence, including junk/spam folders, as some email service providers may block these types of emails.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.