Become a CBSA Officer

Before You Apply

Before applying to become a CBSA officer trainee, learn about the job and the conditions of employment and basic requirements you must meet.

• Is this job for you?
• Work locations
• Job description and activities
• Basic requirements
• Conditions of employment
• Salary/benefits
• Career opportunities

Is This Job for You?

Here you can access a self-assessment questionnaire that will give you a better idea of what is required and what is expected of a CBSA officer trainee.

Work Locations

The offices of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are located throughout the country in seven geographical regions :

• Atlantic
• Quebec
• Northern Ontario
• Greater Toronto Area
• Southern Ontario
• Prairie
• Pacific

Within these regions, CBSA officers are employed at highway, air, marine and rail locations, and at certain postal facilities.

Job Description and Activities

Description

CBSA officers are one of the first points of contact when travellers and goods arrive in Canada. They are Canada's first line of defence in preventing inadmissible people, contraband and other illegal substances from coming into the country. CBSA officers also contribute to the fight against international terrorism and illegal immigration.

When necessary, officers carry out enforcement activities by applying various levels of sanctions, including warnings and monetary penalties, and by seizing goods and assets. In this way, they help Canadian businesses stay competitive and protect Canada's economy and prosperity.

CBSA officers use the latest techniques and technology to carry out their work, such as:

• X-ray equipment for contraband detection
• Mobile vehicle and cargo inspection machines with gamma ray technology
• Ion-mobility spectrometers to detect drugs
• Multi-gas monitors to detect poisonous or explosive gases
• Biometric (iris scanning) technology for pre-approved travellers in the NEXUS program
• Detector dogs

Key Activities

CBSA officers:

• Ensure all people and goods coming into Canada are admissible and comply with Canadian laws and regulations
• Guard against the introduction of human, animal and plant diseases into Canada
• Guard against the flow of narcotics, firearms, child pornography and other illegal and prohibited substances
• Apply various levels of sanctions and seize goods if necessary
• Ensure all applicable duties and taxes are paid
• Detain those who may pose a threat to Canada
• Assist in combating money laundering

Want to Know More About the Job?

Watch a video that highlights the CBSA's important work.

Read profiles online of actual officers.

Basic Requirements

In order to become a CBSA officer trainee, there are certain basic requirements that you must possess before you apply. You are responsible for meeting these requirements. If you choose to apply, you will be required to submit proof or verification of these requirements at the time of application:

1. Education: You must have successfully completed a secondary school education.
2. You must possess and maintain a Standard First Aid Certification (according to the Canada Labour Code, Part II and the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Part XVI). [Learn more]
3. You must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
4. Must have successfully completed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course. Please visit the Canadian Firearms Program on the RCMP Web site for further information.
5. You must accept an assigned posting anywhere in Canada.

Conditions of Employment

Conditions of employment are requirements that you must meet prior to being appointed to a CBSA officer trainee position and must maintain throughout your employment as such. Before applying to become a CBSA officer trainee, be aware that you must be willing to meet these conditions.

If you have been successful in both the interview and reference check phase of the selection process, the CBSA will provide you with information regarding what you must do to meet the following conditions of employment prior to being appointed to a CBSA officer trainee position. These conditions must be maintained throughout your employment as a CBSA officer. Before applying to become a CBSA officer trainee, be aware that you must be willing to meet these conditions:

• Obtain and maintain a high integrity personnel security clearance and a secret security clearance. This includes mandatory digital fingerprints, mandatory standardized reference checks (three most recent employers—direct supervisors) and completion of an integrity questionnaire.
• Have successfully completed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course. Please visit the Canadian Firearms Program on the RCMP Web site for further information.
• You must possess and maintain a Standard First Aid Certification (according to the Canada Labour Code, Part II and the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Part XVI). [Learn more]
• You must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Meet and maintain a medical standard required to perform enforcement duties. A physician designated by the CBSA will complete an Occupational Health Assessment Report, which will attest your physical ability to participate in the CBSA Officer Induction Training Program and subsequently perform the duties of a CBSA officer trainee.
• Meet and maintain psychological requirements by passing the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) and the Sixteen Personality Factor (16PF) and a structured stress and clinical interview. [Learn more]
• Obtain and maintain a Transportation Security Clearance for positions located at airports/marine ports.
• Carry a firearm and qualify and re-certify in its use and maintenance as well as other restricted and prohibited weapons.
• Meet and maintain any medical, behavioural, psychological and physical requirements (including vision and hearing standards) for carrying a duty firearm, as prescribed and required by the CBSA from time to time.
• Undergo a medical examination for isolated posts.

The additional conditions of employment below are also required of a CBSA officer trainee. After the application process, if you are offered employment, you consent to the following when signing the letter of offer:

• Work various shifts on rotation, including weekends and statutory holidays.
• Wear and maintain a uniform, required protective clothing and job-related equipment such as Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray, baton and firearm as per the CBSA standards.
• Work overtime as required.
• Accept a posting anywhere in Canada.
• Operate a government vehicle.
• Travel, as required (domestic and international).

Salary/Benefits

The salary range for a CBSA officer trainee (FB-02) is currently between $55,133 and $61,570.

The salary range for a CBSA officer (FB-03) is currently between $59,518 and $66,564.

As an employee of the public service, CBSA officers can take part in the following plans:

• Public Service Health Care Plan
• Public Service Dental Care Plan
• Pensions and Benefits
  • Public Service Superannuation Plan
  • Canada Pension Plan
  • Disability Insurance Plan

The CBSA has implemented an occupational group called Frontière/Border (FB). The CBSA officer position has been classified at the FB-03 group and level. This FB group standard recognizes the specialized knowledge and expertise required to perform CBSA jobs directly involved in programs related to the management and operation of Canada's border.

Candidates who successfully complete the CBSA Officer Induction Training Program will be required to participate in a developmental program as CBSA officer trainees (FB-02). Upon successful completion of the developmental program, CBSA officer trainees will be appointed to a CBSA officer position (FB-03).

Career Opportunities

Because the CBSA has such a diverse mandate, it offers many different career paths. CBSA officers may pursue career opportunities in specialty areas such as the following:

• management
• intelligence
• investigations
• detector dog services
• compliance verification – trade
• client services – trade
• program services
• international operations

CBSA liaison officers engage around the world with international partners on important border-related issues such as national security and irregular migration.