COMSEC Operations professional

About CSE

The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is Canada’s agency responsible for foreign signals intelligence, cyber operations and cyber security. Learn more about our mission.

CSE is committed to fostering a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion. This isn’t just an ideal, it’s crucial to our mission. Find out about our workplace culture, including our diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Become part of our team and you’ll understand why CSE is the most important organization you’ve never heard of.

Job summary

Join the Communications Security (COMSEC) Operations and Administration team for an opportunity like no other at the heart of Canada’s national security and intelligence community. Our mission is to provide cryptographic services, support, and oversight applying prescribed techniques and security guidelines. Become a part of one of our multi-functional teams and contribute to the delivery of COMSEC services to Government of Canada agencies, our international partners, and explicit members of the Canadian private sector.

As a COMSEC Operations Professional, you will be working in a unique IT services environment and contribute to the delivery of vital COMSEC services for the Government of Canada. You will be responsible for the production, support, and logistics of cryptographic materials. Other responsibilities include:

• Respond to client requests while operating specialized systems within our diverse service provision environments.
• Apply specified techniques and procedures to deliver sensitive cryptographic services to users.
• Manage specialized equipment and provide logistical support while incorporating appropriate accounting measures.
• Adhere to information management and administrative guidelines, as well as respect policy and doctrine guidelines.

Unlike the traditional IT service support realm, this opportunity offers employment in an exciting and specialized domain and is best suited for those eager to learn and develop new skillsets. You will be supported with on-the-job training and mentoring to become effective in your daily tasks.

Salary range

To find out more about our salary scale, vacation allowances and benefits (health, dental and pension plans, etc.) visit the compensation page on our website.

Area of selection

Open to Canadian citizens.

Location

Ottawa, Ontario. All jobs require full-time onsite presence at our Edward Drake Building.

Learn more about where we work.

Essential qualifications

In order to be considered, your cover letter must clearly explain how you meet the following education and experience requirements.

Education

You must have either one of the following:

• A university degree or college diploma in a field related to the position, such as (but not limited to): Computer/Systems Engineering, Computer Science or IT Security.
• An acceptable combination of education in a field related to the position (as above), training and relevant experience.

Note: The educational program must be recognized in Canada, and you must be able to provide proof of education credentials. Students graduating within the next twelve months are eligible to apply.

Experience

• Experience working with or responding to IT service requests from clients.
• Recent experience in one of the following:
  • Providing software application support or training to internal or external clients. OR
  • Supporting IT equipment and hardware.
• Experience in reviewing or contributing to technical documentation.

Note: For the purposes of this selection process, “recent” is defined as experience having normally been acquired within the last five years.

Recent graduates should note that school projects can be considered as relevant experience.

Official language requirements

• English essential
• Bilingual imperative: BBB/BBB

Competencies

The following technical, behavioural and leadership competencies will be assessed at a later date. You do not need to include information about them in your application.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of IT
• IT User Support / Help Desk
• IT Service Management Processes

Behavioural competencies

• Cognitive thinking skills
• Interactive communication
• Working in a team

Leadership competencies

• Achieving results
• Integrity, respect and awareness

Assets

Assets are “nice-to-have” expertise and skills we’re interested in.If you do have them, they may be used to identify which team you could best complement, or they may be invoked as a volume management strategy. Please demonstrate on your application if you meet or possess the asset education or asset experience listed below.

Asset experience

• Experience managing, handling, configuring, or operating Accountable COMSEC Material.

Operational requirements

Overtime and standby duty may be required.

How to apply

You may submit your candidacy online by selecting "Apply" at the bottom of this page.

If you cannot apply online or have a disability preventing you from applying online, please inform us by email at careers-carrieres@cse-cst.gc.ca prior to the closing date of this selection process.

Important information

The process will be conducted in the official language of your choice.

To address CSE’s current representation gaps, priority may be given to persons who self-declare as belonging to the following designated employment equity groups: women; Indigenous peoples, including First Nations who are status, or registered and non-status, or non-registered, Inuit and Métis; persons with disabilities, including people with a mental health condition and neurodivergent people; and persons from racial or ethnic groups.

Please note the Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

CSE offers an assessment process that will accommodate any reasonable measures you require to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Those measures are available to all candidates during our processes. Information you provide will be addressed confidentially.

All communications with CSE relating to this process, including email messages and telephone conversations, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

We thank you for your interest in CSE. However, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.