Student Border Services Officer

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) offers exciting job opportunities related to the protection and safety of Canadians.

About the job

Student border services officers help border services officers in protecting the health and safety of Canadians, the environment and industry by working at international air, land and sea ports and at certain postal facilities.

Officers carry out enforcement activities involving the various customs, immigration and food inspection regulations.

Where are the positions

Some ports of entry are situated in major centres while others are in more isolated locations.

Positions for student border services officers are located in regions across the country (Atlantic, Quebec, northern Ontario, Niagara/Fort Erie, Windsor/St. Clair, Greater Toronto Area, Prairies and Pacific).

Work locations:

• Alberta:
  Calgary, Edmonton
• British Columbia:
  Prince Rupert, Vancouver, Sidney
• Manitoba:
  Winnipeg
• New Brunswick:
  Moncton, Campobello, Fredericton
• Newfoundland:
  Corner Brook
• Nova Scotia:
  Halifax
• Ontario:
  Hamilton, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Ottawa
• Prince Edward Island:
  Charlottetown
• Quebec:
  Québec, Dorval
• Saskatchewan:
  Saskatoon, Regina

How to become a Student border services officer

Eligibility and Experience

The CBSA is looking for highly motivated, mature and reliable post-secondary students to work as student border services officers.

To be eligible, candidates must meet the following general criteria:

• be enrolled full-time in an accredited post-secondary institution;
• be returning to full-time studies in the next academic term;
• meet the minimum age requirements to work in the province or territory where the job is located;
• have experience dealing with the general public; and
• undergo a Secret security assessment.

Preference may be given to students in a field related to the job such as criminology, law, law and security, law and enforcement, psychology, sociology or business administration.

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

Training

Upon recruitment, student border services officers will receive three weeks of formal training and on-the-job shadowing/coaching.

Conditions of Employment

Student border services officers must meet the following conditions of employment:

• Obtain and maintain Secret Clearance.
• Have a valid driver's licence where required.
• Work various shifts, rotations, flexible hours, weekends and statutory holidays and overtime.
• Wear and maintain a uniform, the required protective gear and equipment associated with the job.
• Successfully complete the Control and Defensive Tactics training (provided by the CBSA) which requires significant physical exertion.
• Successfully complete a course in Safe Handling of Firearms – Restricted and Non-restricted.
• Possess and maintain the Standard First Aid Certification (according to the Canada Labour Code, Part II, Canada Occupational Health & Safety Regulations, Part XVI).
• Be willing to operate a government vehicle where required.
• Obtain Airport and Marine passes for restricted areas for specific zones as required by Transport Canada. (Pacific, Quebec and Prairies).
• Meet and maintain a physical standard to safely perform the functions of the border services officer position. A physician from Health Canada will complete an Occupational Health and Safety report that will attest your physical ability to perform the job and participate in the required training prior to placement. It also includes:
  Vision: corrected vision 6/9 (20/30) in better eye and 6/15 (20/50) in other eye.
  Hearing: no more than 25 decibel loss (in better ear) at a range between 500-3000 hertz. This standard applies with or without hearing aids.

Employment Equity

The CBSA is committed to having a skilled, diversified workforce reflective of Canadian society and to the equitable representation of women (especially in non-traditional occupational groups), Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability and members of a visible minority group.

Salary

Student border services officers are paid according to the Treasury Board's Terms and Conditions of Employment for Students.

How to apply

Student border services officer recruitment takes place between October and February each year depending on the geographical location of the job opening.

Visit the Federal Student Work Experience program Web site to apply and click on "Departmental Programs" to view current positions.

Should you have any questions please call 1-800-O-Canada.

Prospects for the Future

There are various opportunities for experienced border services officers to compete for managerial positions or to pursue a career in specialty areas such as intelligence, enforcement, investigations or policy development. Opportunities are also available in administrative areas such as information technology, human resources or finance.

The demands placed on border services officers are continually evolving. Students considering permanent employment as a border services officer must be willing to undertake and successfully complete an extensive in-residence training program at Rigaud, Quebec.