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Has anyone applied to CSIS for intelligence Officer?

  • Last Updated:
  • Dec 7th, 2023 5:22 pm
Newbie
Sep 13, 2019
11 posts
13 upvotes
burnt69 wrote: I remember talking to the recruiter for CSIS, and they started people out all at the same salary, no matter if they did a 3-year Arts degree, or a full-fledged engineering degree. Whether they brought special language skills to the table (ie: Arabic, etc.) or not.
There was no flexibility whatsoever.

Can't believe that cr*p-show received 40,000 resumes. Must be a lot of naive kids out there.

It's worse. A 24 year old university Arts grad will get the same starting salary and early career progression timeline as a 40 year old with an MBA and 10+ years of management experience. While waiting 1-2 years to be hired. Any other career track other than IO is a dead end relegated to support roles. Then both will have to learn french and retest (every 5 years?) even though they will never use it.
Newbie
Sep 13, 2019
11 posts
13 upvotes
burnt69 wrote: I remember talking to the recruiter for CSIS, and they started people out all at the same salary, no matter if they did a 3-year Arts degree, or a full-fledged engineering degree. Whether they brought special language skills to the table (ie: Arabic, etc.) or not.
There was no flexibility whatsoever.

Can't believe that cr*p-show received 40,000 resumes. Must be a lot of naive kids out there.

Unfortunately, It seems the account of Twitter contributor @csisprocess has been unceremoniously disappeared (This account doesn’t exist).

Something or Someone must have Spooked @csisprocess.

Just as he or she was getting to the juicy details of the outcome of their interview. Perhaps he or she was finally hired and had to suddenly delete their account. Or perhaps he or she said a bit too much...

You can see what little is left of it in the cached version:

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/s ... sisprocess
Deal Fanatic
Jul 13, 2012
8501 posts
1053 upvotes
Occupied Ottawa
1990sTech wrote: Interesting older article. Not much (if anything) has changed since...just posting it here in case it disappears.

CSIS urged to end polygraph testing
Andrew Mitrovica
Toronto
Published June 12, 2000
Updated April 3, 2018

Canada's intelligence service should abolish the use of polygraph testing because the device is unreliable and has lost its scientific credibility, says the former head of the agency's polygraph unit.

"I agree it should be abolished if it is not done properly and I am not convinced that it is being done properly just about anywhere, including at CSIS," said Brian Lynch, a former chief psychologist at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

Mr. Lynch said last week in an interview with The Globe and Mail that CSIS managers pressed him to divulge employees' confidential medical and psychological information.

One of the agencies acting as a watchdog for Canada's intelligence service says the allegations are a grave matter which could trigger a formal inquiry.

"It's obviously a very serious allegation to make," Maurice Archdeacon, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service's Inspector-General, said in a recent interview.

Mr. Archdeacon, who reports to Solicitor-General Lawrence MacAuley, said that, if true, the allegations may be investigated "more seriously."

Dr. John Service, executive-director of the Canadian Psychological Association, said the allegations were "troubling" and he would welcome any probe that would "get to the bottom" of the issue.

"We hold the confidentiality of client information very dear. It's very important," Dr. Service said.

Both men were responding to accusations made by Mr. Lynch who left CSIS in 1996 after spending 12 years at the service. He suggested last week that the pressure from some CSIS managers to provide the sensitive information became so untenable that he chose to leave the agency rather than agree to hand it over.

CSIS denies the allegation.

Mr. Lynch joined CSIS in 1984 and set up the new civilian intelligence service's combined polygraph testing and psychological assessment programs.
He said the agency uses polygraph testing simply as a "pretense for interrogation."

The use of polygraph testing is a source of considerable friction between CSIS and its watchdog, the Security Intelligence Review Committee. SIRC has repeatedly urged CSIS to abolish the use of polygraph testing because it also believes it is unreliable.

Indeed, in seven consecutive annual reports from 1985-1986 to 1991-92, SIRC demanded that the solicitor-general and CSIS dump the polygraph, once even suggesting the device be thrown onto the "scrap-heap."

In its reports, SIRC said it had "grave doubts" about the use of the polygraph, pointing out that "even defenders of polygraph examinations admit that their results are sometimes are wrong 10 per cent of the time or more."

SIRC chairwoman Paule Gauthier reiterated the watchdog's desire to see CSIS abandon polygraph testing.

The only concession CSIS has made was to end mandatory testing for employees in the mid-1980s. However, SIRC noted in its 1986-87 report, anyone reluctant to take such a test "would inevitably be suspected of having something to hide."

Mr. Lynch said that polygraph testing was used on all new CSIS recruits and even occasionally for operational purposes.

"It was driven by the police community originally, historically and still primarily. It does not have the academic substance. It doesn't enjoy the kind of reliability that is inherent in most psychological tests," he said.

Mr. Lynch said that while he was head of polygraph testing, the device was not used to determine whether potential recruits were lying or being truthful, but rather to gauge physiological reactions that may warrant further "exploration."

The device "does not allow you to infer mendacity or outright lying," said Mr. Lynch, who is now a senior adviser at the Public Service Commission of Canada.

However, polygraph testing reverted to a tool of "interrogation" when responsibility for the program was assumed by the agency's internal security division in 1989, Mr. Lynch said.

"I thought it was a very bad move. It was being administered by non-psychologists. I thought that was not the way to go," he said.

Mr. Lynch said that despite its unreliability, polygraph testing was increasingly used at CSIS to "scope people out."

A CSIS spokesman refused a request for an interview.


Source: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/na ... le1040471/
I have mixed feelings about this. Let's say that it was accurate only 90% of the time. I would be ok with using that as part of the hiring process. However, given that many people who initially take polygraphs to get their job have to pass them every X number of years, I would be concerned about 10% of people losing their jobs because of an inaccurate one.
Deal Addict
Oct 6, 2015
2463 posts
1401 upvotes
ConsoleWatcher wrote: I have mixed feelings about this. Let's say that it was accurate only 90% of the time. I would be ok with using that as part of the hiring process. However, given that many people who initially take polygraphs to get their job have to pass them every X number of years, I would be concerned about 10% of people losing their jobs because of an inaccurate one.
Yup, those salaries do not incorporate really any risk premium for that. And if they do fire you, the circumstances involved may very well be classified, so it could actually be a crime to discuss anything related to such with a future potential employer. Nothing like being 50 years old, with a family, end up falsely accused of something, and have no effective redress, nor the legal ability to even talk about it.

As flawed as it is perhaps, at least the Canadian Armed Forces has the Court Martial system where one can have an actual trial before they kick you out. Some kangaroo polygraph CSIS process....

Quite frankly, I think Canadians would be better off if CSIS re-merged with the RCMP. Its been a disaster of an a joke of an agency throughout its existence.
Member
Apr 22, 2015
411 posts
293 upvotes
Ottawa, ON
I applied and got all the way to the polygraph but they didn't like my smoking pot so I didnt get it.

Glad I didn't I have a better job now and I have heard its not a good place to work.

This was in 2009
Sr. Member
Nov 24, 2016
684 posts
992 upvotes
How often do they open up their application intake? There doesn't seem to be an opening right now
Deal Fanatic
Feb 4, 2010
7156 posts
7137 upvotes
Really rotten how some are sharing confidential information on a public forum. If anyone is interested in a position and needs to follow advice on here, you're probably not cut out for it. Surprise mods even allow for this.
Sr. Member
Nov 24, 2016
684 posts
992 upvotes
hierophant wrote: Really rotten how some are sharing confidential information on a public forum. If anyone is interested in a position and needs to follow advice on here, you're probably not cut out for it. Surprise mods even allow for this.
Sweeping generalization.

Advice is always helpful. Even when you are cut out for it.
Newbie
Dec 11, 2022
4 posts
hierophant wrote: Really rotten how some are sharing confidential information on a public forum. If anyone is interested in a position and needs to follow advice on here, you're probably not cut out for it. Surprise mods even allow for this.
It's not Confidential information. Your use of 'Confidential' implies that the information is classified. It is not.

Classified information and assets
Classified
Applies to information or assets that, if compromised, could reasonably be expected to cause injury to the national interest, defence and maintenance of the social, political and economic stability of Canada.
Levels of classified information and assets
Confidential
Applies to information or assets that, if compromised, could cause injury to the national interest.

The job is literally researching and analyzing information from open sources most of the time.
Newbie
Dec 11, 2022
4 posts
A new Intelligence Officer posting is up. Notice the typo on "Discrete". They fixed it in one instance on the generic notice on the website but it's clearly still misspelled in the job description.
https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intel ... ficer.html

Intelligence Officer
Important

Do not discuss your application with others (including on social media) besides your partner, or close family members - who should also be reminded about the need to be discreet.
Important Message            

Discover what an Intelligence Officer career has to offer!

Virtual event on Thursday, December 08, 2022, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. EDT

Our panel includes bilingual HR professionals and Hiring Managers — all ready to answer your questions.

Don't miss this unique opportunity. Register here!

Open the door to our world!
Closing Date 2022-12-16
Reference Number 22-968-08-205
Job Category Entry Level
Who Can Apply Canadian Citizens
Location

Ottawa, Ontario
Salary Range $65,460 - $102,250 (Maximum $89 970 during the developmental program. Salary under revision)
Status Indeterminate (permanent)
Language Requirement

Bilingual Non-Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Details below
Job Summary

Successful candidates must have excellent interpersonal, analytical, and communications skills; they must be resilient and able to easily adapt in a fast-paced environment. CSIS is seeking candidates whose own diverse experiences will allow them to exhibit strong leadership abilities and work collaboratively with various communities. Candidates must be reliable and motivated to work in the field of national security.

Intelligence Officers are at the heart of Canada’s national security apparatus. Successful candidates will undergo extensive training to help them operate successfully within the organization. Intelligence Officers are required to remain discrete while performing their functions and must always be security conscious.

Intelligence Officers are responsible for:

● Conducting, coordinating and managing investigations - this could be subject matter or country specific;

● Conducting research, analyzing information and preparing clear and concise reports on matters related to national security;

● Liaising with partners and developing information networks;

● Consulting and collaborating with counterparts and stakeholders;

● Providing sound, objective and professional advice.
Education

● Completed Undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree

The educational program must be from an accredited learning institution recognized in Canada.

If you completed a program outside of Canada, you will be required to obtain proof of a Canadian equivalency at your expense through a recognized credential assessment service.
Experience

Knowledge

● An understanding of the CSIS mandate, threats as defined in the CSIS Act and priorities regarding the security of Canada.

● An awareness of both national and international current events and an understanding of how they relate to the CSIS mandate.

Assets

● Knowledge of a foreign language(s). Candidates with foreign language abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

● International travel.
Competencies

● Interpersonal skills

● Analytical skills

● Communication (oral and written)

● Judgement

● Adaptability

Applicants should clearly demonstrate in their cover letter and in their application how they meet the Education criteria and the five (5) competencies listed above. Examples can include but are not limited to work experience, student placements, paid or unpaid internships, community experience, life experience or travel experience. Applicants should also describe how they meet the specified Experience criteria (assets), if applicable. Please limit your cover letter to a maximum of two (2) pages.

Demonstration of these five (5) competencies will be assessed in the initial review of your resume and cover letter.
Conditions of Employment

● Training: Intelligence Officers must successfully complete the Ottawa-based Intelligence Officer Entry Training (IOET) program. (approximately 18 weeks)

● Mobility: Intelligence Officers must be willing and able to relocate within Canada due to a variety of circumstances. Intelligence Officers must also be willing to travel as required by operational and organizational requirements. Assistance and financial support will be provided in line with policy.

Relocation to Ottawa is mandatory for initial training purposes and the subsequent three (3) year development program.

Development Program

Intelligence Officers must complete a three (3) year professional development program based in Ottawa.

To work in a regional investigator role, successful completion of advanced training courses is required. Intelligence Officers can apply for these courses upon completion of the three year development program.
Notes

Driver’s License

A driver’s license is not required to apply.

Although a driver’s license is not required for the initial period of Intelligence Officer training, a valid Canadian driver’s license* is a prerequisite for career progression to most Intelligence Officer roles, including that it is required to be eligible for advanced training and deployment as an investigator. Obtaining and maintaining a valid Canadian driver’s license* is the sole responsibility of each Intelligence Officer.

* A valid Canadian driver's license is defined as a G Class (Ontario) or minimum of a Class 5 (remainder of Canada). G1, G2, Class 7, Class 6, Learner's etc. will not be accepted.

Although the training course and first three years of employment will take place at Headquarters in Ottawa, applicants residing outside of the National Capital Region should apply to the region in which they currently reside for processing purposes. Applicants residing in the National Capital Region should apply to Headquarters.

While we continue to explore opportunities for flexible work arrangements, the majority of work in our organization must be done in the office and cannot be performed at home.

The assessment process is conducted in Canada only.

A written exam will be administered to evaluate your written and communication skills. If successful, you will be invited to an interview.
Reference Links

Salary Grade Breakdown

Security Requirements
Candidates must be eligible to receive an Enhanced Top Secret security clearance. The process involves a security interview, a polygraph, and a background investigation that includes credit and financial verifications. The use of illegal drugs is a criminal offense. Drug use is an important factor considered in your reliability and suitability assessment during the selection process. Therefore it is important not to use any illegal drugs from the time you submit your application.
Others
Important

Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application how they meet each Education and Experience criteria. Failure to do so will result in the applicant being screened out of the career opportunity.

CSIS is a separate employer and is not subject to the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA). CSIS has its own classification, compensation system, and a different staffing regime. As such, we use a different staffing process and terminology.

CSIS is committed to building a workforce that is truly representative of the Canadians it serves by cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace environment. This will be achieved by increasing employment equity group representation (including persons with disabilities, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and women) at all levels within the organization through hiring and talent management practices. We will also ensure that appropriate accommodations are made (e.g., specialized equipment, changes to physical workspace) to provide employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. In support of achieving a greater, diverse and skilled workforce, we strongly encourage those individuals who belong to one or more of the employment equity groups to self-identify when applying. 

Should you require accommodation in relation to a disability, please tell us at the beginning of the selection process. This information will be kept confidential. 

The personal information provided in your application is protected under the Privacy Act and will be held in Personal Information Bank SIS/P-PU-025.
We thank all applicants for their interest in CSIS. However, only those who are selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Date modified:
2022-11-30
Newbie
Dec 11, 2022
4 posts
There is a new book that is pretty much the only one that talks about the CSIS recruiting and hiring aspect. Dated generic info but better than nothing.

I Was Never Here: My True Canadian Spy Story of Coffees, Code Names, and Covert Operations in the Age of Terrorism – March 1 2022
by Andrew Kirsch
Deal Addict
Jan 12, 2017
1741 posts
1040 upvotes
Having to move to Ottawa for that pay range is probably sufficient self screening in itself. You must really want to work for CSIS.
BrutalKangaroo wrote: A new Intelligence Officer posting is up. Notice the typo on "Discrete". They fixed it in one instance on the generic notice on the website but it's clearly still misspelled in the job description.
https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intel ... ficer.html

Intelligence Officer
Important

Do not discuss your application with others (including on social media) besides your partner, or close family members - who should also be reminded about the need to be discreet.
Important Message            

Discover what an Intelligence Officer career has to offer!

Virtual event on Thursday, December 08, 2022, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. EDT

Our panel includes bilingual HR professionals and Hiring Managers — all ready to answer your questions.

Don't miss this unique opportunity. Register here!

Open the door to our world!
Closing Date 2022-12-16
Reference Number 22-968-08-205
Job Category Entry Level
Who Can Apply Canadian Citizens
Location

Ottawa, Ontario
Salary Range $65,460 - $102,250 (Maximum $89 970 during the developmental program. Salary under revision)
Status Indeterminate (permanent)
Language Requirement

Bilingual Non-Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Details below
Job Summary

Successful candidates must have excellent interpersonal, analytical, and communications skills; they must be resilient and able to easily adapt in a fast-paced environment. CSIS is seeking candidates whose own diverse experiences will allow them to exhibit strong leadership abilities and work collaboratively with various communities. Candidates must be reliable and motivated to work in the field of national security.

Intelligence Officers are at the heart of Canada’s national security apparatus. Successful candidates will undergo extensive training to help them operate successfully within the organization. Intelligence Officers are required to remain discrete while performing their functions and must always be security conscious.

Intelligence Officers are responsible for:

● Conducting, coordinating and managing investigations - this could be subject matter or country specific;

● Conducting research, analyzing information and preparing clear and concise reports on matters related to national security;

● Liaising with partners and developing information networks;

● Consulting and collaborating with counterparts and stakeholders;

● Providing sound, objective and professional advice.
Education

● Completed Undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree

The educational program must be from an accredited learning institution recognized in Canada.

If you completed a program outside of Canada, you will be required to obtain proof of a Canadian equivalency at your expense through a recognized credential assessment service.
Experience

Knowledge

● An understanding of the CSIS mandate, threats as defined in the CSIS Act and priorities regarding the security of Canada.

● An awareness of both national and international current events and an understanding of how they relate to the CSIS mandate.

Assets

● Knowledge of a foreign language(s). Candidates with foreign language abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

● International travel.
Competencies

● Interpersonal skills

● Analytical skills

● Communication (oral and written)

● Judgement

● Adaptability

Applicants should clearly demonstrate in their cover letter and in their application how they meet the Education criteria and the five (5) competencies listed above. Examples can include but are not limited to work experience, student placements, paid or unpaid internships, community experience, life experience or travel experience. Applicants should also describe how they meet the specified Experience criteria (assets), if applicable. Please limit your cover letter to a maximum of two (2) pages.

Demonstration of these five (5) competencies will be assessed in the initial review of your resume and cover letter.
Conditions of Employment

● Training: Intelligence Officers must successfully complete the Ottawa-based Intelligence Officer Entry Training (IOET) program. (approximately 18 weeks)

● Mobility: Intelligence Officers must be willing and able to relocate within Canada due to a variety of circumstances. Intelligence Officers must also be willing to travel as required by operational and organizational requirements. Assistance and financial support will be provided in line with policy.

Relocation to Ottawa is mandatory for initial training purposes and the subsequent three (3) year development program.

Development Program

Intelligence Officers must complete a three (3) year professional development program based in Ottawa.

To work in a regional investigator role, successful completion of advanced training courses is required. Intelligence Officers can apply for these courses upon completion of the three year development program.
Notes

Driver’s License

A driver’s license is not required to apply.

Although a driver’s license is not required for the initial period of Intelligence Officer training, a valid Canadian driver’s license* is a prerequisite for career progression to most Intelligence Officer roles, including that it is required to be eligible for advanced training and deployment as an investigator. Obtaining and maintaining a valid Canadian driver’s license* is the sole responsibility of each Intelligence Officer.

* A valid Canadian driver's license is defined as a G Class (Ontario) or minimum of a Class 5 (remainder of Canada). G1, G2, Class 7, Class 6, Learner's etc. will not be accepted.

Although the training course and first three years of employment will take place at Headquarters in Ottawa, applicants residing outside of the National Capital Region should apply to the region in which they currently reside for processing purposes. Applicants residing in the National Capital Region should apply to Headquarters.

While we continue to explore opportunities for flexible work arrangements, the majority of work in our organization must be done in the office and cannot be performed at home.

The assessment process is conducted in Canada only.

A written exam will be administered to evaluate your written and communication skills. If successful, you will be invited to an interview.
Reference Links

Salary Grade Breakdown

Security Requirements
Candidates must be eligible to receive an Enhanced Top Secret security clearance. The process involves a security interview, a polygraph, and a background investigation that includes credit and financial verifications. The use of illegal drugs is a criminal offense. Drug use is an important factor considered in your reliability and suitability assessment during the selection process. Therefore it is important not to use any illegal drugs from the time you submit your application.
Others
Important

Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application how they meet each Education and Experience criteria. Failure to do so will result in the applicant being screened out of the career opportunity.

CSIS is a separate employer and is not subject to the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA). CSIS has its own classification, compensation system, and a different staffing regime. As such, we use a different staffing process and terminology.

CSIS is committed to building a workforce that is truly representative of the Canadians it serves by cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace environment. This will be achieved by increasing employment equity group representation (including persons with disabilities, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and women) at all levels within the organization through hiring and talent management practices. We will also ensure that appropriate accommodations are made (e.g., specialized equipment, changes to physical workspace) to provide employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. In support of achieving a greater, diverse and skilled workforce, we strongly encourage those individuals who belong to one or more of the employment equity groups to self-identify when applying. 

Should you require accommodation in relation to a disability, please tell us at the beginning of the selection process. This information will be kept confidential. 

The personal information provided in your application is protected under the Privacy Act and will be held in Personal Information Bank SIS/P-PU-025.
We thank all applicants for their interest in CSIS. However, only those who are selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Date modified:
2022-11-30
Deal Fanatic
Feb 4, 2010
7156 posts
7137 upvotes
BrutalKangaroo wrote:
It's not Confidential information. Your use of 'Confidential' implies that the information is classified. It is not.

Classified information and assets
Classified
Applies to information or assets that, if compromised, could reasonably be expected to cause injury to the national interest, defence and maintenance of the social, political and economic stability of Canada.
Levels of classified information and assets
Confidential
Applies to information or assets that, if compromised, could cause injury to the national interest.

The job is literally researching and analyzing information from open sources most of the time.
.. My use of the word confidential is accurate and correct and doesn't imply classified. They explicitly say not to share information - you posted to it right here - ..
BrutalKangaroo wrote:
https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intel ... ficer.html

Intelligence Officer
Important

Do not discuss your application with others (including on social media) besides your partner, or close family members - who should also be reminded about the need to be discreet.
Last edited by MrDisco on Dec 6th, 2023 9:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: uncalled for
Jr. Member
Oct 25, 2020
117 posts
258 upvotes
With the French requirement, does anyone know if CSIS is able to attract visible minorities like Persians, Indians, or Chinese Canadians specifically. Like, is it just full of French Canadians hanging out until retirement like every other federal agency?
Deal Addict
Nov 13, 2013
4520 posts
3685 upvotes
Ottawa
rainbowsexpants wrote: With the French requirement, does anyone know if CSIS is able to attract visible minorities like Persians, Indians, or Chinese Canadians specifically. Like, is it just full of French Canadians hanging out until retirement like every other federal agency?
It's certainly not the post office no. People can learn French but yes the need to certainly makes it harder to recruit the groups you mention unless they are from Montreal.

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