Job Description

Parliamentary Protective Service - Frontline Operations


Ottawa (Ontario)


ZZ-TRA-00 (0) - PDS-05 group and level (Annual salary is based on a 35-hour work week)


$60,639 to $79,797 (Salary under review)
For further information on the organization, please visit Parliamentary Protective Service

Closing date: 29 August 2025 - 23:59, Pacific Time

Who can apply:

Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in Canada or abroad.



Relocation and travel expenses incurred during the recruitment and selection process are the applicant's responsibility.

Apply online

Important messages

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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


Please note that all answers (or cover letters) submitted must be original work; plagiarism of any kind, including responses generated by AI, is strictly prohibited, and may result in disqualification from the application process.



Self-Identification and Diversity Statement:



We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. We actively seek to hire women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. Voluntary self-identification helps us support a more inclusive workplace.



HOW TO APPLY AND ASSESSMENT STEPS:



1??. Only online applications via the GC Jobs website are accepted. Create an account on GC Jobs first, then click "Apply Online." If you cannot apply online, contact the listed person before the deadline.



2??. The screening questionnaire takes about 45 minutes to complete. Please provide examples of your work using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), and include the name and email of the supervisor who directly oversaw the work at the time.



3??. If you meet the screening criteria, you'll be invited to move on to the next stages of the process:



Interview References check Medical assessments, which include: Audiometry (hearing test) Blood test Electrocardiogram (ECG) Full range of motion Evaluation of functional capacities Physical examination Eye examination Security clearance


4. If successful, you may be invited to join the Basic Detection Course anticipated for April 2026 in Ottawa.

Duties

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Our Detection Specialists perform the vital role of identifying questionable, prohibited and restricted items through detection and reporting during the scanning process in designated buildings, predominantly where members of Parliament and Senators conduct their business and with visitors seeking access to the Parliament buildings and precinct. They receive and direct visitors through the screening process and are part of an integrated protective posture that controls access including scanning of all vehicles accessing Parliament Hill.



Our Detection Specialists work on a rotational basis, including evenings, weekends, public holidays and night shifts, 365 days a year. You will receive continuous training and various employment opportunities allowing you to expand your career within the PPS.

Work environment

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Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility:

The Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) is dedicated to creating an inclusive, equitable, and barrier-free work environment. We actively encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups, including women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and other communities. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and believe they strengthen our workforce and mission.



Ideal Candidate


The ideal candidate for the Detection Specialist role within the Parliamentary Protective Service is a highly observant, motivated and composed professional who thrives in a dynamic, public-facing environment. Ideal candidates possess exceptional communication skills, enabling them to engage respectfully and effectively with a diverse range of individuals, including members of the public, international tourists, Parliamentary staff and dignitaries.


Resilient by nature, they demonstrate patience, professionalism and respect. They are team-oriented with a deep understanding of the importance of their role in safeguarding democratic institutions, and they embody integrity, vigilance and a proactive approach to threat detection and prevention.




The values of respect, professionalism, accountability, integrity, and leadership are at the heart of our organization and are essential to how we collaborate across teams to effectively protect Canada's Parliament. Be part of a committed and passionate team, driven by a sense of purpose!



Join us in our mission to protect Canadian democracy and ensure the safety and security of Senators, Members of Parliament, employees, and visitors to the Parliamentary Precinct.



WE CARE FOR OUR TEAM, AND AS A MEMBER YOU WILL HAVE ACCESS TO:



Training Employer provided uniform Public service health, dental, and vision care insurance plans Public Service Pension Plan 35-hour standard work week Minimum 4 weeks of paid vacation annually Free on-site fitness facilities Employee and Family Assistance Program Centrally located in downtown Ottawa Proximity to O-Train's Parliament Station and most main OC Transpo and STO bus lines

Intent of the process

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The purpose of this recruitment process is to establish a pool of qualified and/or partially qualified candidates to staff positions on a temporary or indeterminate basis within the PPS.

Positions to be filled:

16

Information you must provide

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Your resume.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

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EDUCATION:



A post-secondary diploma and/or an acceptable combination of education, experience, and training.



Be prepared to provide the original or a certified true copy of your educational credentials if applicable.
Degree equivalency


EXPERIENCES:



E1: Recent and significantexperience demonstrating adaptability, thinking skills and judgment in a work environment.

E2: Recent and significantexperience working as a team.

E3: Recent and significantexperience providing client service in a work environment.

E4: Significant experience dealing with sensitive issues and/or difficult situations.



DEFINITIONS:

Recent is defined as within the last five (5) years.

Significant is defined as the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with having performed a broad range of complex activities related to this task, which are acquired on a full-time basis for over a given period of time.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

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AE1: Post-secondary/college education in the security or law enforcement field.


AE2: Work experience in the detection field and/or in the use of detection devices.


AE3: Experience working in a security related field.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

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Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

SECOND LANGUAGE SELF-ASSESSMENT:



In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your written expression and reading comprehension in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.



Try out the self-assessment tests for written expression and reading comprehension by visiting: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/second-language-testing-public-service/self-assessment-tests.html

Information on language requirements


Information on language requirements


PPS COMPETENCIES:



Teamwork and Collaboration

Thinking Skills

Communication

Leadership

Client Service Orientation



OTHER COMPETENCIES:



Adaptability

Initiative

Judgement

Decision Making

Diversity Awareness

Resilience



PPS VALUES:



Respect, professionalism, accountablity, integrity and leadership.

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

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OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:



Able and willing to work shift work schedules (based on a 35-hour work week) including weekends and night shifts.



Able and willing to work overtime when needed on short notice for special occasions such as medium to large scale demonstration/events.



Able and willing to work public holidays (including Canada Day) when there are events within the precinct.



Able and willing to perform physical effort in the form of continuous standing and walking while on duty.



Must be able to achieve and maintain all required certifications including but not limited to the X-Ray Certification.



Able and willing to work outdoors year-round, in extreme weather conditions.



Able and willing to wear a uniform as set out by the employer, including all required accessories/equipment.

Conditions of employment

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Reliability Status security clearance - You must be eligible to obtain both a Site Access Clearance and an Enhanced Reliability Status. The process involves a background investigation that includes:



a loyalty assessment; law enforcement verifications; credit and financial verifications; a security interview wherein questions may include (but not limited to), previous employment, online activities, financial situation, alcohol and/or drug use; personal references as well as previous employers will also be contacted as part of the security screening process.


You must also consent to completing a personal history questionnaire, be fingerprinted, and photographed.

Other information

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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


Please visit PPS web site under Careers > Opportunities or at https://pps.parl.ca/ for guides that will help you prepare your application and for an interview. We will only accept online applications received through the GC Employment website.



We also encourage veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces to self-identify when applying to our job opportunities.



All communication (screening, assessments, invitations, results) with applicants will be done by e-mail. Ensure that the e-mail address provided is valid, always functional and accepts messages from unknown users.



It is your responsibility, as a candidate, to clearly demonstrate how you meet each qualification (education, experience, and assets) by answering the screening questions in the online application. You must provide concrete specific examples to illustrate how you meet each criterion identified in the questions. Your answers must include where and how you obtained the required experience, as well as the period(s) in which you performed the functions of the position(s). Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or missing information.



Candidates are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.



Various assessment tools may be used to evaluate candidates during the selection process.

Depending on the number of applicants, volume management strategies MAY BE USED for the purpose of managing applications.



Candidates must meet the essential qualifications, including the linguistic requirement to be appointed to a position.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.