Join us in the Border Services Officer Trainee - Developmental Program!

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 for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

Your application in this inventory will be active for three (3) months. A notice that your application is about to expire will be posted to the “My Jobs” menu of your account seven (7) days before the end of your active period. If you do not take action, your application will no longer be active and will be removed from the inventory. Should your application become inactive while the inventory is still open, a notice will be posted to your account indicating that your application has expired. You may select the link “Update my Inventory Status” to reaffirm your interest.

Applications will be accepted to the inventory on an ongoing basis as long as the job advertisement is active. If you have been contacted by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and are actively being evaluated in another CBSA Border Services Officer – Developmental Program selection process you do not need to reapply to this selection process. If you have applied to another selection process and you have not yet been contacted by the CBSA, you must reapply to this selection process.

The foundation of a career as a Border Services Officer (BSO) with the CBSA is built on 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 BSO, candidates must complete all the prerequisites in order to be invited to train at the Canada Border Services College.

Work environment

BSOs across Canada facilitate legitimate trade and travel while preventing prohibited goods and inadmissible people from entering the country. Some of the ports of entry (POE) being staffed are located in small and remote locations. These POEs offer many benefits and unique experiences in addition to a dynamic and rewarding career as a BSO. In order to support people who live locally and close to these POEs and for those who are interested in experiencing what these locations have to offer, successful candidates who have indicated their willingness to work at a small, remote, or difficult to staff POE will have their applications prioritized and the CBSA will endeavour to place candidates at one of their POE(s) of choice.

It is paramount that the CBSA’s values of integrity, respect, and professionalism are upheld at all times and that the laws of Canada are enforced or administered with impartiality and fairness. BSOs serve the public and are committed to treating all members of society equitably and with respect. As a BSO, you will encounter a variety of situations that will challenge you in different ways while working as a representative of Canada. The CBSA welcomes people from all diverse groups, gender identities/expressions, and sexual orientations, including 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Following the assessment process, candidates must successfully complete the Officer Induction Training Program (OITP). Successful recruits from OITP continue their development as a BSO Trainee (FB-02) in the Officer Induction Development Program (OID Program) before becoming a BSO (FB-03).

OFFICER INDUCTION TRAINING PROGRAM
- Four (4) weeks of facilitated distance learning online; and,
- Fourteen (14) weeks of in-residence training at the Canada Border Services College in Rigaud, Quebec.

Candidates who express their interest in working at a small, remote, or difficult to staff POE will only be considered for one of their POE(s) of choice. The duty placement process considers candidate preferences but is determined based on a number of variables including but not limited to: operational requirements, language profile, and candidate availability. While the CBSA will make significant efforts to align candidate placement and preference, this may not always be possible.

As part of the OITP, you must successfully complete Control and Defensive Tactics, the firearm certification components, and demonstrate a capacity for physical abilities. These certifications must be met and maintained throughout your career as a BSO.

While participating in OITP, you will be provided a tax-free allowance to cover basic expenses. While attending in-residence training at the Canada Border Services College, you will also be provided with lodging (room with individual bathroom) and your meals.

OFFICER INDUCTION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
- BSO Trainees will report to their POE following successful completion of OITP, where they will participate in the OID Program.
- After a minimum period of twelve months and successful completion of the program, BSO Trainees (FB-02) will be recommended for promotion to a BSO (FB-03), at which time their annual salary will increase to $75,100 to $89,068 (under review).
- Bilingual BSO Trainees and BSOs receive a bilingual bonus of $800 per year if they meet the required bilingual level (BBB/BBB) in French or English.

Intent of the process

Applications will be selected from the Public Service Resourcing System inventory based on the CBSA’s organizational priorities and operational needs to achieve a diverse and high-functioning frontline workforce. As such applications from candidates who identify within one or more of the following groups will be prioritized for assessment:
- Candidates who self-declare as belonging to one or more employment equity group (Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women)*;
- Candidates who express their willingness to work at a small, remote, or difficult to staff POE**;
- Candidates who have recent*** experience as a Student Border Services Officer (SBSO); and,
- Candidates who wish to be considered for a bilingual position (French and English only).

*The terms “Aboriginal peoples”, “persons with disabilities” and “members of visible minorities” are used to align with the terminology defined in the Employment Equity Act. We understand and recognize that candidates may prefer to use other terms.
**The CBSA will endeavour to place candidates at one of their selected POE(s) of choice.
***Recent experience is defined as having performed the duties of an SBSO for a period of at least one full Federal Student Work Experience Program or CO-OP term within the last two (2) years.

Note:
You can make updates to your application up until you have been notified it has been pulled from the inventory for further assessment.

Information regarding employment equity declarations that are collected helps the Public Service fulfill its obligations under the Employment Equity Act, the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Public Service Employment Act. The self-declaration information you provide will be held in the strictest confidence under the Privacy Act.

HOW TO SELF-DECLARE
1. Select the appropriate box in the employment equity section of your online application.
2. Select option 3 “I wish to complete the self-declaration form for employment equity groups”.
3. In the next screen, select option 1 “for collection purposes to be considered for this job opportunity where belonging to one of the targeted employment equity groups is a condition for eligibility”.

When you apply to this inventory, you need to be aware that a condition of employment for the position includes committing to accepting an assigned posting anywhere in Canada. While the CBSA will make significant efforts to align your placement to your preferences, this may not always be possible based on operational needs. You need to fully understand and embrace the commitment you are making.

Although all BSO positions include the condition of employment of accepting a position anywhere in Canada, the CBSA will endeavour to place candidates who have indicated their willingness to work at a small, remote, or difficult to staff POE at one of their POE(s) of choice.

If your application is selected from the inventory based on your willingness to work at a small, remote or difficult to staff POE and you do not accept the work location you have been assigned, you will be removed from the selection process and must adhere to the applicable waiting periods before you can reapply.

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
- Bilingual Imperative (BBB/BBB)
- English Essential

Information on language requirements

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION
A secondary school diploma or a satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission test approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma (see note).

Note: For more information about the test, visit link #4 above: Alternative to education for the Qualification Standards. The CBSA will NOT be considering the following option as an alternative: an acceptable combination of education, training, and/or experience.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Candidates 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.

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.*
Equivalencies granted by provincial and territorial authorities for a secondary school equivalent will be accepted as equivalent to the respective education level.**

*Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency.
**You must be prepared to provide original documentation or a copy of the original upon request during the selection process, as proof that you have successfully completed/possess a secondary school diploma, a satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission test approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma or Canadian equivalency of foreign credentials.

Degree equivalency

Behavioral 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

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS

EXPERIENCE
1. Experience working in a law enforcement environment relevant to the position.

2. Experience effectively de-escalating difficult situations.

3. Recent experience* as an SBSO.

4. Significant** Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) experience.

*Recent experience is defined as having performed the duties of an SBSO for a period of at least one full FSWEP or CO-OP term within the last two (2) years.
**Significant is defined as having been employed by the CAF for at least three (3) consecutive years. Serving members and veterans may qualify. A veteran is defined as having served in the CAF and been honorably discharged.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
The CBSA processes millions of travelers every day – people of all ages, sizes, shapes, backgrounds, and abilities. Consequently, we want to increase the representation of employment equity groups in order to maintain a diverse workforce that reflects the population we serve.

We are focused on hiring talented individuals from these communities to make our Agency better and continue to enhance diversity. In order to achieve our goal, we may first consider qualified candidates, who have self-declared, when applying, as belonging to one or more of the designated employment equity groups.

The CBSA promotes employment equity and encourages all candidates to indicate if they belong to one or more of the designated groups (women, members of visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples or persons with disabilities) when they apply. For information on self-declaration please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/opportunities/government/self-declaring-government-canada-jobs.html.

*The terms “Aboriginal peoples”, “persons with disabilities” and “members of visible minorities” are used to align with the terminology defined in the Employment Equity Act. We understand and recognize that candidates may prefer to use other terms.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Successful completion of the Officer Induction Training Program.

Conditions of employment

- 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, unrestricted driver’s license that allows the holder to drive a motor vehicle in Canada.*
- 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 a security clearance (Enhanced Reliability Status plus Secret Clearance).
- Carry, use, and maintain CBSA-issued defensive equipment, in accordance with the CBSA’s policies and directives. Note: the duties of a BSO 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 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 internationally).
- Undergo a medical examination for isolated posts.
- Obtain and maintain a Transportation Security Clearance as required.
- Accept an assigned posting anywhere in Canada.

*You must be prepared to provide original documentation or a copy of the original at any time during the selection process, as proof that you have successfully completed/possess the course and/or the license.

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

REQUIREMENTS DURING THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Successful completion of the:
- Officer Trainee Entrance Exam;
- Interview;
- Document validation stage (education, confirmation of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency, valid and unrestricted driver’s license, and certificates demonstrating successful completion of the CFSC and CRFSC);
- Psychological assessment;
- Medical assessment;
- Second language evaluation (if applicable); and,
- Security clearance (Enhanced Reliability Status plus Secret Clearance).

To Note:
- Candidates must meet the essential qualifications, operational requirements, and conditions of employment to be appointed to a position.
- All 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.
- Persons are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of their choice (English or French).
- 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 must include an email address that accepts emails from unknown senders and is responsible to verify all personal email folders for correspondence, including junk/spam folders, as some email service provides may block these types of emails.
- Due to the enforcement role of the CBSA and the sensitive nature of the work that BSOs perform, candidates must be able to obtain an Enhanced Reliability Status plus Secret Clearance. The CBSA carefully assesses the integrity of new applicants with regard to security risks. We strongly encourage you to complete the Personnel Security Screening Self-Assessment Questionnaire found in link #2 above: Find out if you qualify, which may help you determine whether pursuing a career as a CBSA BSO is the right career path for you.
- After only three months on the job, BSO Trainees begin receiving dental benefits and after six months, begin receiving health and pension benefits.

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.

Contact information

Apply online