Hearings Officer

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

Only applications submitted via this portal will be accepted. If you encounter any problems or issues when submitting your application with the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS) online portal, please contact the Public Service Commission (PSC) through their “Contact us” page (https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs/contact-us.html). If you need to contact the PSC, please advise us to avoid any unnecessary delays in the application process.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their online application via the screening questions, how they meet at least THREE of the essential experience, and any asset education and experience qualifications in the text boxes provided.

Please ensure you provide concrete examples of the activities you have actually performed and how those activities meet the requirements. The screening board cannot make any assumptions about your experience. It is not sufficient to say that you have the required qualifications or to list your current duties. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or missing information. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

Take the time to answer the questions with as much detail and examples as possible. Be specific about projects you’ve worked on, where (occupational title, organization), when (from, to), what your role was, what your tasks were and the actions taken.

Should you only indicate the following in your responses “See my résumé”, “Example can be provided upon request”, “Yes I do”, “I have 5 years of experience in the field”, “I acquired this experience working at XYZ”, “I meet this qualification” or similar statements, your response will not be accepted.

Written communication WILL be assessed on the application.

Please note that any information regarding this selection process is to be kept confidential.

Duties

Represents the Minister, before the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) at detention reviews, hearings, appeals and dispute resolution sessions. Protects Canadian society by determining client and claimant compliance with the provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and Regulations, preventing the entry to Canada or effecting removal of people who violate the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and ensuring that persons who are undeserving do not receive status as protected persons.

Key Activities:
• Prepares, conducts, and manages the litigation and settlement of assigned cases dealing with entry, removal, Convention Refugee status, sponsorship and other appeals.
• Argues for the continued detention of persons who are a danger to the public, unlikely to appear for immigration proceedings, or cannot establish their identities and may present a risk to national security or have been complicit in grave violations of human rights.
• On behalf of the Minister, decides to consent in law or in all the circumstances of the case where appropriate to negotiate the resolution or settlement of cases with legal or lay counsel and the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).
• Reviews and Evaluates IRB decisions and, where appropriate, recommends further action such as the judicial review of IRB decisions, presents appeals by the Minister, and collaborates with Department of Justice lawyers in the preparation of cases with legal or lay counsel and the IRB.
• Provides advice and guidance to CBSA and Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) staff with respect to technical, legal and procedural matters concerning proceedings before the IRB; trains, mentors, and provides guidance to new officers and other staff.

Work environment

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is the first point of entry for travelers 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. Today, we are the second-largest law enforcement organization in the country.

While the environment in which we operate continues to evolve, the CBSA's dual mandate remains the same. We support both national security and economic prosperity by preventing the entry of those travelers 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:

1. Our mandate is unique;
2. We offer a variety of interesting and challenging opportunities;
3. We take your professional development to heart.

In order to align with current work realities, The CBSA strives to offer a flexible work In order to align with current work realities, The CBSA strives to offer a flexible work environment with possibility of flexible work arrangements depending on the position.

Intent of the process

Establish a qualified listing of candidates to staff existing and future vacancies and for developmental acting opportunities.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Various language requirements
English Essential
Bilingual Imperative: BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC, CCC/CCC

Information on language requirements

Second Language Writing Skills Self-Assessment
In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your writing skills in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

For more information, please consult:
Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills

EDUCATION
Graduation with a degree or diploma from a recognized university or college in a field such as Law, Criminology, Sociology, Psychology, International Relations, Political Science, Justice System Administration, Legal Studies or another specialty relevant to the position being staffed.
OR
Candidates who already meet the following criteria must be accepted as meeting the educational 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.

Note: If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your degree and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards through a recognized credential assessment service. Please see the Degree Equivalency link for further information.

*Proof of education and education equivalency (if applicable) must be provided prior to appointment. Education equivalency if required, is the responsibility of the candidate to obtain.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Experience in at least three (3) of the following seven (7) essential experiences:

EXP 1 - Recent* experience administering or enforcing legislations and/or regulations.
EXP2 - Recent* experience researching and preparing documentation for presentations before a judicial or quasi-judicial tribunal.
EXP3 - Recent* experience providing advice or guidance in the administration of a government program.
EXP 4 - Recent* experience researching, analyzing and evaluating information such as the legal, economic or political conditions and/or current or past events in foreign countries.
EXP 5 - Recent* experience presenting before a judicial or quasi-judicial tribunal.
EXP 6 - Recent* experience interviewing clients, witnesses or members of the public.
EXP 7 - Recent* experience working at Canada Border Services Agency.

*Recent experience is defined as the experience normally acquired over two (2) years within the last five (5) years

COMPETENCIES
• Judgment
• Decisiveness
• Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders
• Uphold Integrity and Respect
• Adaptability
• Written Communication
• Oral Communication

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

EDUCATION
• Law Degree from a recognized University from a recognized post-secondary institution

Degree equivalency

OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION
• Membership in good standing in the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada prior to appointment. Please note if the candidate wishes to maintain their membership, the fees are the sole financial responsibility of the candidate.

EXPERIENCE
• Experience working in the Federal Public Service

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
In support of achieving a diversified workforce and to address under-representation of Employment Equity groups, consideration may be given to qualified candidates self-identifying as belonging to one or more of the following Employment Equity groups: Women, Aboriginal peoples, Persons with a Disability or Visible Minorities.

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

• Willingness and ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance if required.
• Valid motor vehicle driver's license
• Willingness to operate a government-owned vehicle.
• Willingness to carry a government issued smartphone or mobile communication device.
• Willingness to work overtime.
• Willingness to undertake job-related travel and occasionally work away from the office as required.
• Virtual presence may be required

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

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.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
***************************
Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.


COMMUNICATIONS
************************
All communications regarding this process will be administered via e-mail. It is the candidate's responsibility to provide a valid e-mail address (both professional and personal) and update their personal information when/if it changes. Candidates should include an email address that accepts emails from unknown users (some email systems block these types of emails).

LEAVE/ABSENCES DURING THIS SELECTION PROCESS
***************************
It is the responsibility of the candidate to notify the Agency’s contact of any pre-approved leave throughout the duration of the process in order to facilitate scheduling of evaluations. One (1) alternate date will be possible only if requested for the following reasons: 1) Medical reasons with doctor’s certificate 2) Death in your immediate family 3) Confirmation of pre-approved travel plans or training plans (made before the advertisement posting date) 4) Religious reasons 5) Participation in a different appointment process or another reason that is considered reasonable by the assessment committee.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, 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.