Veterans Service Agent: Bring your skills to Veterans Affairs Canada

Update: Please note the closing date for this advertisement is now June 9, 2023.

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

Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to building a diverse workforce that is representative of the Canadian population through equitable and accessible employment practices. We strive to achieve an inclusive and open work environment that embraces a variety of perspectives where accessibility is a central pillar to all. These qualities help us make a positive impact in the lives of our increasingly diverse clientele, in a workplace where everyone’s contributions are valued.

Veterans Affairs Canada is seeking talent from a wide range of communities, identities, and backgrounds. We value the experience of diverse groups of women, men, and gender diverse people. Using a Gender-based Analysis Plus lens, we recognize that there are multiple characteristics that intersect and contribute to our social and professional identity. These include race, ethnicity, religion, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, education, veteran status, and more. The interaction between these factors has a positive influence on how you, as an employee, help us develop, implement, and deliver the services and benefits we provide. We are committed to establishing a workplace culture that is accessible by design to ensure that all employees are fully supported to flourish in their roles.

We welcome members of equity seeking groups to apply and recognize that the current Employment Equity Act does not fully encompass all equity seeking group members. If you are a member of the groups indicated in the Employment Equity Act, we respectfully request that you self-declare during this process. These groups include women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of a visible minority community.

When you apply for this process, please keep in mind that the essential merit criteria education and experience will be assessed by the answers you provide in your online application. As a result, please ensure you allow yourself a significant amount of time to complete this application.

You must include in your application a valid e-mail address and make sure this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users (Junk mail).

Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information in your answers to questions.

Resumes may be used as a secondary source to validate the experience and education described in the screening questions.

Education and/or Experience factors in the asset qualifications may be used for screening. Applicants should clearly demonstrate on their application if they meet any of the education and/or experience asset qualifications.

All information must be provided through the “apply online” application process. Do not fax, mail, email or drop-off a hard copy application as these will not be accepted. To apply in an alternate format due to disability, you must contact the email address indicated in the "Contact information" section below prior to the Closing Date.

Work environment

Everyone is Welcome: Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is committed to building an inclusive workforce with a diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds that represents Canada now and in the future. We are passionate about fostering a workplace where all people feel welcome, can reach their full potential, and contribute their unique perspectives and experience to the success of the team.

Don’t miss the opportunity to work with one of the Top 100 Employers in Canada according to Forbes Magazine 2020! Only 5 federal government departments and agencies made the Top 100 employers on Forbes list and Veterans Affairs Canada is one of the Departments.

The Veterans Service Agent position is attached to the Field Operations Division with the core mandate of delivering direct services to our Veterans and their families. With more than 1,200 employees across the country, Field Operations has a wealth of knowledge, skills, abilities and strengths in multiple areas thanks to its diverse workforce. The opportunity for movement brings renewal to our workforce and creates a stimulating work environment. We work together to create healthy workplaces by ensuring that people feel valued, where employee development, transparency and wellness are fostered.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to create a pool or partially assessed pool of candidates to fill similar or identical positions with various language profiles, durations (term, indeterminate, assignment, secondment, acting appointment and deployment) and conditions of employment in Veterans Affairs Canada.

The immediate need is to staff one position in Halifax, NS and one position in Greenwood, NS.

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Education:
ED1 - Successful completion of an acceptable post-secondary program in an area of study that focusses on human behavior, social services, social sciences, or other areas relevant to the position being staffed.
OR
An acceptable combination of successful completion of a post-secondary program with a minimum of 1 year experience working directly with clients in a Social Services setting.
* Social Services is defined as the provision of services intended to aid disadvantaged, distressed, or vulnerable persons or groups.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
EX1 - Experience in applying provisions of legislative, regulatory or policy related benefits or services.
EX2 - Experience working in an interdisciplinary team environment in a health care, social services, or military setting.
EX3 - Experience in screening clients for benefits, services, follow-up and referrals.

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

Various language requirements
English Essential
Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC

Information on language requirements

Abilities:
AB1 - Ability to prioritize, organize and manage a workload.
AB2 - Ability to analyze and problem solve.
AB3 - Ability to communicate effectively orally.
AB4 - Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
AB5 - Ability to deal with situations of conflict and crisis.
AB6 - Ability to document and maintain records.

Personal Suitabilities:
PS1 - Effective Interpersonal Skills
PS2 - Integrity
PS3 - Client Service Orientation
PS4 - Judgement
PS5 - Adaptability and Flexibility

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

Experience:
AEX1 - Experience as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
AED1 - Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Organizational Needs:
In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Indigenous peoples, Persons with a disability, Visible Minorities, Women.

Operational requirements:
•Possession and maintenance of a valid driver's license or personal mobility to a degree normally associated with the possession of a valid driver's license
•Veterans service agents are assigned to a primary work location but may be required to work at various locations and travel between these locations.
•Must be willing to occasionally officially represent the Department at functions such as conferences, commemorative events, etc.
•Consent to be deployed or assigned within the Area office, as per the organizational needs

Conditions of employment

Reliability status

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

If you have previously applied for a VSA position, please note there is a required 6 month waiting period to retake the VSA exam or interview. The required waiting period only applies to retaking the VSA exam or interview, if you applied and did not write the exam or had an interview, you can re-apply at any time.

Reference checks may be sought. The Assessment Committee reserves the right to contact references other than those provided by the candidates (within the Public Service only) in order to adequately assess the candidates.

Other sources of information (e.g. performance agreements, work samples, board member knowledge, etc.) may be used to assess the criteria identified on the Statement of Merit Criteria. Recent and past performance agreements may be used as part of the assessment. Please be prepared to provide such documentation should it be requested.

A new Public Service Commission unsupervised language test of reading comprehension and written expression may be used to assess candidates second language evaluation as part of this process. Link to further information: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/corporate/about-us/letters-heads-human-resources/new-psc-unsupervised-test-written-expression-level-b-c-20-10.html

You must provide proof of your education credentials. If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. For more information please click on “Degree Equivalency” in the Education section above.

Candidates may be asked to provide proof of Canadian Citizenship at a later date.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to notify the Departmental 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 or another reason that is considered reasonable by the assessment committee.

Indeterminate employees at the same group and level or equivalent may be considered for assignment, deployment or secondment opportunities before other candidates.

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.