Head, Foreign Language Services, Level 09

Government of Canada; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 113,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

The Head, Foreign Language Services (FLS) is responsible for leading the unit within CSIS, reporting to senior leadership in the Government of Canada.

Responsibilities include developing annual plans, assigning projects, supervising staff, managing the budget and freelance translators, and coordinating with internal and external clients to forecast translation needs and improve service delivery.

Qualifications

• Experience creating vision and strategy for a unit.
• Ability to collaborate with partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to promote innovation and guide organizational change.
• Track record of achieving results and maintaining integrity.

Responsibilities

• Manage the activities of the unit by developing plans and objectives.
• Direct employees, set priorities, approve leave and evaluate performance.
• Oversee freelance translators, staffing, and translation contracts.
• Manage the unit budget, forecasts, and financial commitments.
• Liaise with clients to forecast translation needs and improve service delivery.
• Build relationships with domestic and international partners on language services.

Skills

Vision & strategy

Stakeholder collaboration

Change management

Results-oriented

Integrity & respect

Education

Undergraduate degree / college diploma (see criteria)

Canada-equivalency proof if studied outside Canada

Tools

Budget planning

Job description

Important

Do not discuss your application with others (including on social media) besides your partner, or close family members - who should also be reminded about the need to be discreet.

Closing Date

Closing Date 2026-10-02

Reference Number

Reference Number 26-968-09-106

Job Category

Job Category Experienced

Who Can Apply

Location

Salary Range

Salary Range $112,746 - $137,226

Status

Language Requirement

Job Summary

The Head, Foreign Language Services (FLS) is responsible for managing the unit.

• Manage the activities of the unit by developing annual plans, formulating objectives and overseeing their execution and assigning projects to subordinates;
• Direct employees by establishing priorities, recommending training needs, approving leave, and evaluating work performance;
• Manage the use of freelance translators to supplement in-house language capacity including, determining language requirements, managing staffing process, conducting suitability interviews of translator candidates, and reviewing / approving all freelance translation contracts;
• Manage all financial activities relating to the unit budget by preparing annual and multi-year forecasts, assessing and approving financial commitments, financial planning/forecasting the management of the operating budget and signing authority delegation;
• Liaise with internal and external clients to monitor and forecast translation needs and optimize service delivery;
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with domestic and foreign partners, with regard to language services best practices;
• Recommend and implement steps to further the management of a foreign languages function.

Education

• Undergraduate degree and five (5) years of relevant experience* for each criteria below, or
• Three-year College diploma and six (6) years of relevant experience* for each criteria below, or
• Two-year College diploma and seven (7) years of relevant experience* for each criteria below.

The undergraduate degree/College diploma must be obtained 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 from an accredited learning institution recognized in Canada.

Any higher level of education (i.e.: Masters, Doctorate) in a related field of study could be recognized as experience.

Experience

• Create vision and strategy
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
• Promote innovation and guide change
• Achieve results
• Uphold integrity and respect

Experience

*Relevant experience is defined as:

• Experience working as a translator, linguist or interpreter in a foreign language context;
• Experience collaborating with internal partners;
• Experience providing advice and guidance to employees, management, and clients with regard to foreign language services.

Candidates must also possess:

• Two (2) years of experience interpreting and applying policies and procedures or legislation and regulations
• Create vision and strategy
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
• Promote innovation and guide change
• Achieve results
• Uphold integrity and respect

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.

• Experience formally supervising and directing staff, which includes establishing priorities, assigning work, evaluating performance, and determining training needs;
• Experience recommending and implementing process improvements or strategic initiatives in a foreign language context;
• Experience managing staffing processes, including conducting interviews, assessing candidate qualifications, and onboarding personnel;
• Experience managing financial activities and budgets, including preparing annual or multi-year financial forecasts, tracking expenditures, and assessing/approving financial commitments;
• Experience and knowledge in testing and quality control for foreign languages

The immediate need is to staff one position with a linguistic profile of bilingual imperative CBC/CBC.

While we continue to explore opportunities for flexible work arrangements, the majority of work in our organization must be done in the office and cannot be performed at home.

If you need accommodations during the recruitment process, please mention it to the HR representative.

Organizational Considerations

Employment Equity Gaps have been identified among Indigenous Peoples and Persons with Disabilities for this position. You are invited to voluntary self-declare if you belong to any of these groups in your cover letter, as this information will be considered in the selection process.

Security Requirements

Candidates must be eligible to receive an Enhanced Top Secret security clearance. The process involves a security interview, a polygraph, and a background investigation that includes credit and financial verifications. The use of illegal drugs is a criminal offense. Drug use is an important factor considered in your reliability and suitability assessment during the selection process. Therefore, it is important not to use any illegal drugs from the time you submit your application.

Others

Important

We encourage interested candidates to apply promptly, as we will be reviewing and screening applications on a rolling basis until all available positions are filled. Federal Workforce Adjusted (WFA) employees are encouraged to apply for available positions and clearly indicate in their WFA status on their cover letter.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application how they meet each Education and Experience criteria. Failure to do so will result in the applicant being screened out of the career opportunity.

CSIS is a separate employer and is not subject to thePublic Service Employment Act (PSEA) .CSIS has its own classification, compensation system, and a different staffing regime. As such, we use a different staffing process and terminology.

CSIS is committed to building a workforce that is truly representative of the Canadians it serves by cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace environment. This will be achieved by increasing employment equity group representation (including persons with disabilities, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and women) at all levels within the organization through hiring and talent management practices. Gaps have been identified among Indigenous peoples and visible minorities for this position. We will also ensure that appropriate accommodations are made (e.g., specialized equipment, changes to physical workspace) to provide employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. In support of achieving a greater, diverse and skilled workforce, we strongly encourage those individuals who belong to one or more of the employment equity groups to self-identify when applying.

Should you require accommodation in relation to a disability, please tell us at the beginning of the selection process. This information will be kept confidential.

CSIS Offices in Canada are located on various ancestral and traditional lands. In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge all Indigenous People across Canada and their connection to these lands.

The personal information provided in your application is protected underthe Privacy Act and will be held in Personal Information Bank SIS/P-PU-025.