Human Intelligence Officer

Job Summary

CSIS is looking to staff the Human-Intelligence Officer position in its various regional offices across Canada. Intelligence Officers conduct intelligence collection as regional investigators connecting with people across communities. They are at the heart of the CSIS mandate as the country’s foremost HUMINT intelligence organization and are the driving force behind CSIS operations, collecting the raw intelligence required to meet the Government of Canada’s intelligence priorities. The role involves investigating threats to national security, managing challenging situations, and collaborating with colleagues, other agencies and international allies to disrupt threats. Two days are rarely alike.

Human-Intelligence Officers come from diverse backgrounds and require a common set of skills: intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, information analysis, and the ability to write clearly and concisely with a high level of accuracy under pressure. They possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build rapport and trust. They must make difficult tactical decisions in the field while respecting the rule of law and human rights. They are resilient, adaptable, and comfortable with the unknown in a fast-paced environment. As officers have access to highly classified information, honesty, integrity, and reliability must be beyond reproach.

Statement Of Qualifications

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

Work experience in each of the following:

• Conducting complex assessments. Complex is defined as comprising several factors which make the situation difficult.
• Handling difficult situations. Difficult situations are defined as challenging or unexpected circumstances, conflicts, or problems.
• Working in a team.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the CSIS mandate, the CSIS Act, and the Government of Canada’s intelligence 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.

Competencies

• Critical Thinking
• Communication (oral and written)
• Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Integrity

Assets

An asset qualification is a qualification which can enhance the ability to perform the work based on current and future business requirements, but which is not strictly required. Positions will be staffed based on the selection decision principle and operational priorities.

• Previous experience in areas including working for the Government of Canada, particularly in national security, intelligence, enforcement, or defense;
• Previous experience in client service roles which entail interacting with the public, social work and related fields.
• Previous experience conducting investigations
• Knowledge of language(s) other than French and English
• Knowledge of the second official language (unilingual regions only):
  • Unilingual regions: Knowledge of the second official language is an asset, not a requirement.
• Personal experience traveling or residing abroad or interacting with people from different backgrounds

Conditions of Employment

• Human-Intelligence Officers must be comfortable working flexible work hours and being physically out of the office and in the communities with which they work, sometimes not reachable for periods of time.
• Training: Candidates must successfully complete entry training in Ottawa prior to working as a Human-Intelligence Officer. During this period, candidates will travel to Ottawa for training and then back to their home region for integration of skills. All travel will be paid for by CSIS. This is a pass/fail course with only one opportunity to participate. This intensive program will have varied working hours throughout the training schedule.
• Mobility: Intelligence Officers must be willing to relocate within Canada and travel as required. CSIS may transfer an employee anywhere within the organization to meet its requirements. Assistance and financial support will be provided in line with policy.
• Candidates must complete a minimum of 2 years in their first regional placement.
• Driver’s License: A valid Canadian driver’s license is a prerequisite to apply. Obtaining and maintaining a valid Canadian driver’s license is the responsibility of each applicant.
• A valid Canadian driver's license is defined as a G Class (Ontario) or minimum Class 5 (rest of Canada). G1, G2, Class 7, Class 6, Learner's licenses are not accepted.
• Occupational health evaluations will be required for: vision (corrected vision accepted), hearing (corrected hearing accepted), physical mobility, psychological health.
• Confirmation of vision and hearing evaluation results must be provided prior to taking part in the Assessment Centre.
• Please note that the following position may entail exposure to abhorrent material.

Official Language Proficiency

• Bilingual Imperative (various profiles; Capital Region and Quebec Region)
• English Essential

This selection process may be used to staff anticipated vacancies or other similar positions with various language requirements. Second language evaluations may be offered to candidates. For more information on language requirements:

How To Apply

You are invited to visit Canada.ca for tips on how to submit a powerful application: www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service/corporate/csis-jobs/how-to-submit-a-powerful-application

Although training will take place in Ottawa, applicants should apply to the Regional Office of their preferred geographical location. For Gatineau, apply to Capital Region.

Available regional offices: St. John’s, Halifax, Fredericton, Quebec City, Montreal, Gatineau, Toronto, Hamilton, Windsor, Niagara, Winnipeg, Regina, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

In your cover letter, clearly demonstrate the following: Education Requirement, Experience Criteria, Assets Criteria (if applicable).

• Limit cover letter to a maximum of two pages.
• Examples can include work experience, student placements, internships, community or travel experience.

Assessment Process

The assessment process involves standardized tests, psychometric tests, competency-based interviews, and a written assignment. If successful, you will be invited to complete additional job-specific exams and attend an in-person Assessment Centre for evaluation prior to security clearance.

Eligible applicants will be invited to participate in a full day assessment process in Ottawa with tasks such as writing tasks, scenarios, role plays and table top exercises. Assistance and financial support will be provided in line with policy.

Notes

While flexible work arrangements are being explored, most roles require in-office presence. Accommodation is available on request at the beginning of the selection process.

Others

Important: Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application how they meet each Education and Experience criterion. This is a CSIS-specific process.

CSIS is committed to diversity and inclusion and to the equitable participation of all Canadians. Should you require accommodation, please tell us at the beginning of the selection process. This information will be kept confidential.

CSIS acknowledges Indigenous lands and commitments to reconciliation. Personal information provided in your application is protected under the Privacy Act and will be held in Personal Information Bank SIS/P-PU-025.

Page details 2026-02-05