[sp00n]

Can you tell me what its like working for the CBSA?
I really want to have a career with them after I graduate from SFU at the end of summer.

Also what were some of the requirements that they looked at before hiring?

[Delusional]

I work for them up north in BC. It's not easy to get in right now as they are phasing out the student program and hiring the students instead of externally. They pay is good, around 32 an hr. They job can be extremely stressful depending on which ports you work at and which mode you are in (marine, hwy, postal, rail, air). All in all it's an excellent career but be prepared to move. You will not be working in your home town more than likely.

[SoulCrusher]

Subscribed

[hchang]

My Godbrother works for the CBSA in the YVR Airport, and he absolutely loves his job. They do shift work, and if I remember correctly it's 3 days on and 3 days off, but don't quote me on that though. The hours can be long and abormal, but if you're like me who has a weird lifestyle I wouldn't mind.

He said the hardest part was the 3 hour test that they had to undergo, aside from that everything else was pretty easy, even the training in Rigaud, Quebec was pretty easy, the physical examination was pretty much non-existent, but waiting to get in was long.

He said everybody started off with the same pay, and it increases every year for 4 years, then it maxes out at four years, unless there's an opening for a promotion, and thats where having an education comes in handy for the promotion.

The CBSA is not only posted at the airport and the USA/Canada Border, but they're around the Marinas too, and if you get into a specialty field you can be working the field and be kicking down doors, and not just sitting down looking at passports.

[sp00n]

Thank you guys for the responses!

I work for them up north in BC. It's not easy to get in right now as they are phasing out the student program and hiring the students instead of externally. They pay is good, around 32 an hr. They job can be extremely stressful depending on which ports you work at and which mode you are in (marine, hwy, postal, rail, air). All in all it's an excellent career but be prepared to move. You will not be working in your home town more than likely.

So if i am from Surrey and i am positioned in Northern BC, do they provide some type of housing and can I transfer back down to the lower mainland if there is a position available?

I cant provide any valuable info in terms of the actual job but I recently got notification that I passed all the tests and references and now I am waiting to start training in Riguad Qc. From the time I submitted my application to the time I got my acceptance letter was just over 2 years so be prepared for an extremely long wait. I spoke one of the local HR girls and she said they had their budget slashed so there will be very few hires in BC for the next bit. If you have any specific questions in terms of the hiring process, pm me.

Thank you! Where you working full time at another job while applying to the CBSA?


My Godbrother works for the CBSA in the YVR Airport, and he absolutely loves his job. They do shift work, and if I remember correctly it's 3 days on and 3 days off, but don't quote me on that though. The hours can be long and abormal, but if you're like me who has a weird lifestyle I wouldn't mind.

He said the hardest part was the 3 hour test that they had to undergo, aside from that everything else was pretty easy, even the training in Rigaud, Quebec was pretty easy, the physical examination was pretty much non-existent, but waiting to get in was long.

He said everybody started off with the same pay, and it increases every year for 4 years, then it maxes out at four years, unless there's an opening for a promotion, and thats where having an education comes in handy for the promotion.

The CBSA is not only posted at the airport and the USA/Canada Border, but they're around the Marinas too, and if you get into a specialty field you can be working the field and be kicking down doors, and not just sitting down looking at passports.

That would be ideal for me, I would love working at the Airport

[JSALES]

this is the sort of job i'd love to have at the airport, my job seems so hurt compared to all the other jobs people are doing at the airport like security checks and whatnot

[Delusional]

Getting a transfer if you are posted up north, will take at least 3yrs as everyone has one in and are way ahead of you. As for Riguad, it's 2 months if think, you get class room learning, simulations, and control and defense tactics training. Make no mistake, it is not easy, and requires self study and so on. Basically you learn the customs act, irpa and cites stuff during training, once you finish training and go to your port, you get trained again totally different lol port policy is always different.

[Expresso]

I would not bank on this job as someone said there essentially an hiring freeze much like RCMP. If you are going to pursue this definitely do something in the mean time and don't put all your hopes in landing this job asap.

[PHO?]

how is the background check compared to RCMP's?

[BBMme]

Hachisix is correct. CBSA over hired during the whole 2010 olympic and with the budget cuts it doesn't look too good for the next 3 to 5 years?
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[Her0-]

Got a friend working in there while schooling at SFU. In the Fall and Spring semester, he goes to school while working part-time, and in the summer (May to Aug), he has to work full-time. I believe he said he had to work 5 days and 4 days off. The first 3 of the 5 days was day shift, and last 2 of the 5 days was night shift (4pm - 2am?). Don't think he ever worked graveyard, but yah, that's what he told me. Btw, he works at YVR.

[J____]

how do you apply to be a CBSA?

[quasi]

how do you apply to be a CBSA?

They have postings every now and then but there hasn't been a posting in probably 2+ years. Like most federal positions like this there has been a freeze.

[ruthless]

ffuuccckk i wanted to go into the CBSA :( currently in my 2nd year Criminology student

what kind of jobs should one look into during the meantime

[ezol]

Got a friend working in there while schooling at SFU. In the Fall and Spring semester, he goes to school while working part-time, and in the summer (May to Aug), he has to work full-time. I believe he said he had to work 5 days and 4 days off. The first 3 of the 5 days was day shift, and last 2 of the 5 days was night shift (4pm - 2am?). Don't think he ever worked graveyard, but yah, that's what he told me. Btw, he works at YVR.

You're right. Day 1 & 2 (6am-4pm) Day 3 (9am-7pm) Day 4 & 5 (4pm-2am) then 4 days off.

[SoulCrusher]

X

[impactX]

When was the last time you used?
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[tiger_handheld]

so someone gets paid $32 per hour to sit down and check passports at the local airport?

correct me if i misunderstood.

[SoulCrusher]

X

[kitsune]

They're contacting people for the 2011 summer already.

[Volvoman]

any comments on the student cbsa program? How was the test?

[miss_crayon]

My gf has been working there for years and she loves it! she did training here and did part time since she was at sfu. Hearing all the stories (the peeps you meet) just sounds super awesome. The hours are and can be tiring but from what I know it is worth it. And from what I remember they DO drug tests. And plus, they hire on some mighty fine looking guys. MMmmm if you're. A single girl.
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[SoulCrusher]

Bumping up an old thread... but for those that are interested in info regarding CBSA, Ive found a great forum with ppl discussing the recruiting process.
http://forums.blueline.ca/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=13520&hilit=cbsa&start=7290

[invader]

I applied to the FSWEP program in January 2011, I guess i'm probably going to get contacted for 2012?

[ruthless]

I applied to the FSWEP program in January 2011, I guess i'm probably going to get contacted for 2012?

You should check your junk folder for emails....they email you, they don't call
Training for summer of 2011 starts in May...

I applied in October and got contacted to write the test 3 weeks later in November. Passed the test and was asked to come in for an interview in late December. During this time my friends applied and they too were asked to write the test(they failed). They applied in December and wrote test at the end of January. Anyways fast forward to end of February and was emailed saying I was not successful and will not be contacted further. During the interview the officer said that if I was not successful this time to try again next year (for summer of 2012) because I had already gotten the biggest hurdle (the test) over with.
I think i was rejected because I didn't have any volunteer experience nor did I have any interaction with the general public.

[invader]

You should check your junk folder for emails....they email you, they don't call
Training for summer of 2011 starts in May...

I applied in October and got contacted to write the test 3 weeks later in November. Passed the test and was asked to come in for an interview in late December. During this time my friends applied and they too were asked to write the test(they failed). They applied in December and wrote test at the end of January. Anyways fast forward to end of February and was emailed saying I was not successful and will not be contacted further. During the interview the officer said that if I was not successful this time to try again next year (for summer of 2012) because I had already gotten the biggest hurdle (the test) over with.
I think i was rejected because I didn't have any volunteer experience nor did I have any interaction with the general public.


No emails from them, I check my mail often.
I guess i missed the deadline for 2011.

What kind of information did they ask during your interview? How old are you if you don't mind answering?

[ruthless]

No emails from them, I check my mail often.
I guess i missed the deadline for 2011.

What kind of information did they ask during your interview? How old are you if you don't mind answering?

I'm 20 and doing my BA degree in criminology
in the interview they ask situational based questions, do a role play, or questions like tell us about a time when... and ask general questions such as why are you interested in becoming a CBS officer etc.

The test on the other hand is fairly hard with a pretty high failure rate 70% if i remember correctly

[d1]

I applied last year and this year and they haven't gotten back to me.. sigh

[quasi]

The test on the other hand is fairly hard with a pretty high failure rate 70% if i remember correctly

I don't know, the test should be pretty easy for anyone with a highschool education. It's not much different then the ones the diff. police forces give you. The interviews on the otherhand can be hit and miss and rely on your past experiences.

[ruthless]

I don't know, the test should be pretty easy for anyone with a highschool education. It's not much different then the ones the diff. police forces give you. The interviews on the otherhand can be hit and miss and rely on your past experiences.

+1 regarding the interviews but i remember at the end of the test them saying the failure rate was around 70% (dont remember exact #, but it was definitely over 50%)

I'm not sure how the police force tests are but I've heard people say this is one of the hardest federal government tests so i don't know

[quasi]

+1 regarding the interviews but i remember at the end of the test them saying the failure rate was around 70% (dont remember exact #, but it was definitely over 50%)

I'm not sure how the police force tests are but I've heard people say this is one of the hardest federal government tests so i don't know

I've done this one and a bunch of different police ones they aren't all that different. I'm not doubting the 70% failure rate I'm just saying it's surprising considering I don't really think the test should be that hard for most people. I've never failed one of these tests, wish I could say I've never bombed the interviews. :) The test should be easier if you just got out of school to, I think the longer you're out of school the harder they would be because you forget some shit.

[ruthless]

I've done this one and a bunch of different police ones they aren't all that different. I'm not doubting the 70% failure rate I'm just saying it's surprising considering I don't really think the test should be that hard for most people. I've never failed one of these tests, wish I could say I've never bombed the interviews. :) The test should be easier if you just got out of school to, I think the longer you're out of school the harder they would be because you forget some shit.

yea school definitely plays a role
i think the biggest problem with these is time management, you really have to keep track of time and pace yourself through them

fuckn interview :( is all ill say :p

[s300ae]

There was a posting in january for inland officer. I applied since I passed the exam but did not pass the first interview.
Still no call/email back.
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[J-Chow]

If anyone is interested, they are hiring full time again!
The closing date is April 15th, so get on the ball!

https://psjobs-emploisfp.psc-cfp.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/applicant/page1800?toggleLanguage=en&noBackBtn=true&poster=148538&psrsMode=1

[Gh0stRider]

If anyone is interested, they are hiring full time again!
The closing date is April 15th, so get on the ball!

https://psjobs-emploisfp.psc-cfp.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/applicant/page1800?toggleLanguage=en&noBackBtn=true&poster=148538&psrsMode=1

already applied :fullofwin:


i applied in 2005, past the test but didn't pass the interview but i was still in school at that time.

[ruthless]

already applied :fullofwin:


i applied in 2005, past the test but didn't pass the interview but i was still in school at that time.

are you willing to work at the locations listed???

[Gh0stRider]

are you willing to work at the locations listed???

yes, i said yes to all of them.

[invader]

If anyone is interested, they are hiring full time again!
The closing date is April 15th, so get on the ball!

https://psjobs-emploisfp.psc-cfp.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/applicant/page1800?toggleLanguage=en&noBackBtn=true&poster=148538&psrsMode=1

OMFG i missed out
What were the locations listed?

[quasi]

OMFG i missed out
What were the locations listed?

Bumfuck, nowhere and a place somewhere in between.

[invader]

Those of who were were interviewed by CBSA, what were they looking for in candidates as was indicated by their interview questions?

[Gh0stRider]

locations were everywhere

bc, alberta, sask, Manitoba, etc...

[quasi]

locations were everywhere

bc, alberta, sask, Manitoba, etc...

I lived in Sask. for 14 years and I couldn't point out of the places listed on a map except maybe guessing and pointing near the border. :)

[ruthless]

The ones in BC were all up North or Northeast, places like prince ruperts, didn't look at the other provinces.

[J-Chow]

If you are still in school, try applying for their student program. :)

[Gh0stRider]

Anyone hear back?
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[s300ae]

Got nothing from applying to a posting in January
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[invader]

Yep no word or email contact at all and i applied in January.

[EmperorIS]

do they hire part time ?
i want to get in to CBSA as a career after i grad

[s300ae]

Yes they do.
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[J-Chow]

When it comes to part time position, it'll most likely be a seasonal job. For example, Victoria deals with a lot of cruise ships for half of the year, so depending on which port and budget the agency has, they may hire part timers for that location.

If you have more questions, feel free to PM me as I've worked in the student position before.

[Gh0stRider]

writing the exam next week.

[J-Chow]

Good Luck!

[invader]

writing the exam next week.

When did you apply and when did they contact you?

[Gh0stRider]

March and they emailed me near the end of May

[invader]

was it that opening that was around BC?

[Gh0stRider]

for across canada

[tool001]

wat kinda questions they ask in the exams?

[invader]

Damn man, i always log in every while and I never see any openings
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[Gh0stRider]

4.5 hour exam... FML
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[d1]

How was it? I hear time is really tight on those tests.

[ruthless]

How was it? I hear time is really tight on those tests.

You have to be really good at managing your time, its definitely super tight, short term memory needs to be top notch as well

and Ghostrider hope you did well

[Gh0stRider]

ya, time is really tight. i ran outta time in some sections

i'll find out my results in 6-8 weeks.

[s300ae]

When I wrote my exam, guy next to me got booted out because he kept moving and looking around.
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[ruthless]

ya, time is really tight. i ran outta time in some sections

i'll find out my results in 6-8 weeks.
I managed my time fairly well, usually finished a few minutes before time was up :)
I wrote mine end of november(27) and found out end of january

When I wrote my exam, guy next to me got booted out because he kept moving and looking around.
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yeah there anal about that, also about putting your pencil's down when they say stop...pretty strict

[EmperorIS]

do you need first aid certificate and firearm licence to get in ?

[J-Chow]

Yes, both are required.

[EmperorIS]

do you need it prior to submitting your application or can that be obtained afterwards?

[J-Chow]

You will most likely require it after submitting your application.

But of course, if you do have your certificates handy, it'll provide a higher chance of being selected or nominated for the written examination, and after passing that, going through the interview, then after that, passing the 10 week training course in Rigaud QC.