Detection Specialist

Employment and Social Development Canada; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 61,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Training

Uniform provided

Health, dental and vision care

Public Service Pension Plan

35-hour work week

4 weeks paid vacation annually

Free on-site fitness facilities

Employee Assistance Program

Centrally located in downtown Ottawa

Proximity to Parliament Station and OC

Transit-accessible

Job summary

Employment and Social Development Canada is hiring for Parliamentary Protective Service frontline operations in Ottawa. Detection Specialists will screen people and belongings at access points, using screening tech and maintaining a safe Parliamentary precinct.

Shifts rotate 24/7, including nights and holidays; training and uniform are provided. Successful candidates will require reliability clearance, pass medical and psychological assessments, and complete required certifications.

Qualifications

• Public-facing client service experience is preferred.
• Ability to obtain PPS security clearance and pass background checks.
• Comfort working in a high-security environment and abiding by protocol.

Responsibilities

• Screen people, belongings, and vehicles using screening technology.
• Interpret imagery to identify prohibited or suspicious items.
• Identify, report, and escalate security concerns and threats.
• Provide continuous guidance and instructions to visitors.
• Maintain situational awareness to improve queue flow during high-volume periods.
• Collaborate with the integrated protective posture of PPS.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Thinking Skills/Judgement

Leadership

Reliability

Education

Post-secondary education

Job description

Parliamentary Protective Service- Frontline Operations

Selection process number
2026-PPS-SPP-OPS-DRP24

Location
Ottawa(Ontario),National Capital Region - Other locations(Ontario)

Salary
$60,639 to $79,797-(Salary under review)

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

Who can apply
Open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents residing in Canada.

Duties
Detection Specialists are public-facing, service-oriented uniform personnel responsible for security screening of all access points to Parliamentary buildings. Requiring constant professionalism, vigilance and sound judgement, Detection Specialists perform screening of people, their belongings, and vehicles using security screening technology to maintain a safe Parliamentary precinct.Shifts rotate 24/7, including nights, weekends, and statutory holidays.

Work environment
The Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) plays a key part in ensuring physical security within the Parliamentary precinct. It delivers layered, intelligence-led protection in one of Canada’s most symbolic and complex environments. PPS is a trusted expert and leader in protective services, driven by purpose, agility and vigilance. With a united, engaged, and empowered workforce committed to the pursuit of excellence, our strength is in collaboration with partners through integrated and intelligence-led operations.The PPS is a separate and distinct organization and is not subject to the Public Service Employment Act. The PPS has its own classification, compensation system and staffing regime. Persons appointed to the PPS continue to be part of the federal government and will receive the public service pension plan and public service insurance benefits plan.What we offer:

• Paid Training
• Employer provided uniform
• 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
The purpose of this recruitment and selection process is to establish a pool of qualified candidates for a term or indeterminate basis.

Positions to be filled
12

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - For PPS Enhanced Reliability Status (ERS):All candidates must obtain both a Site Access Clearance and a PPS Enhanced Reliability Status. To initiate the PPS security screening process, candidates will be required to complete a personal history questionnaire, a pre interview questionnaire, and undergo fingerprinting.The security screening process involves a comprehensive background investigation to assess the candidate’s reliability, honesty, trustworthiness, loyalty to Canada and reliability as it relates to that loyalty. This security screening investigation includes, but is not limited to, a loyalty assessment, law enforcement verifications, financial verifications, internet inquiries, as well as personal and employment reference checks. Candidates will also be required to participate in a security screening interview, which will cover a range of topics needed to complete the security screening assessment.Candidates should be aware that participation in, or completion of, the recruitment process does not guarantee eligibility for a PPS security screening. Security screening is conducted as a separate process, and the outcome may be influenced by several factors, including the length of time an individual has resided in Canada and the resulting ability to verify required background information. Interactions with law enforcement, credit history, personal associations, and other relevant security considerations may also affect a candidate’s eligibility to be granted the required security screening level and may influence the time needed to complete the security screening process.Candidates who do not meet the security screening requirements will not be granted the required security screening level and therefore will be removed from the hiring process as it is a condition of employment.

• Ability to work rotational shifts, including nights, weekends, and statutory holidays.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability and willingness to wear a uniform, including soft body armor.
• Successful completion of the PPS Recruit Program and required certifications.
• Ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance prior to employment start date.
• Ability to successfully complete medical, psychological, and physical assessments.
• Successful completion of all pre-requisite evaluations (including visual aptitude test, written exam, interview, and reference checks).

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Thinking Skills/Judgement
• Leadership
• Client Service Orientation
• Communication

OTHER COMPETENCIES

• Attention to detail and vigilance
• Adaptability and resilience
• Interpersonal skills
• Decision-making
• Reliability
• Initiative
• Integrity and professionalism
• Ability to interpret visual information from screening equipment

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Screen people, personal belongings, and vehicles using screening and detection technology.
• Interpret complex imagery to identify prohibited, restricted or suspicious items.
• Identify, report, and elevate security concerns and threats.
• Provides continuous guidance and instructions to visitors.
• Maintain situational awareness and streamline waiting line efficiency in high-volume environments.
• Work collaboratively as part of an integrated protective posture.

YOU ARE A STRONG CANDIDATE IF YOU

• Remain calm, professional under pressure and adapt quickly in everchanging operational environment.
• Are committed to continuous learning and improvement.
• Are excited about the chance to devote a career protecting the institution and people who represent Canada’s democracy.
• Communicate clearly in both official language with diverse populations.
• Exercise sound judgment in sensitive situations.
• Work effectively as part of a team with diverse groups.
• Understand the work is fundamentally about people.

You need (essential for the job)

Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following

EDUCATION:Post-secondary education or an acceptable combination of education, training, and relevant experience*Be prepared to provide the original or a certified true copy of your educational credentials if applicable.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCES:E1: Experience providing client service, public-facing support, or working in a high-visibility environment.

Language requirements (essential for the job)

Applied / assessed at a later date

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

May be applied / assessed at a later date

ASSET EXPERIENCES:AE1: Experience using detection or screening equipment.

AE2: Training in security, law enforcement, or a related field.

Our commitment

We’re 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 contact the hiring organization below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you apply.

We'd like to thank all those who apply. However, only the people selected for further consideration will be contacted.