National Case Officer

Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) | Service canadien du renseignement de sécurité (SCRS); Ottawa; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CSIS in the National Capital Region (Ottawa) seeks dedicated individuals to staff the National Case Officer position. You will centrally direct national security investigations, engage with partners, and contribute to intelligence operations within Canada and abroad.

Ideal candidates have an undergraduate degree, strong analytical and writing skills, and proven teamwork. You must be able to adapt to changing priorities, work flexible hours, and meet rigorous training and security requirements.

Qualifications

• Completed Undergraduate Bachelor's Degree from an accredited Canadian institution.
• Experience conducting complex assessments with multiple factors.
• Experience handling difficult situations including conflicts or problems.
• Experience working effectively in a team.
• Knowledge of the CSIS mandate, CSIS Act, and Government of Canada intelligence priorities.
• Awareness of national and international current events related to CSIS mandate.

Responsibilities

• Direct national security investigations centrally and drive intelligence operations.
• Engage with stakeholders and exchange intelligence with partners in Canada and abroad.
• Manage investigations through research, analysis, case management, and collaboration with partner departments.
• Prepare timely, accurate, and concise reporting that protects sensitive sources.

Skills

Critical Thinking

Communication

Collaboration

Adaptability

Integrity

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Summary

CSIS is looking for dedicated individuals to staff the National Case Officer position at headquarters in Ottawa.

National Case Officers play a critical role at CSIS and are primarily responsible for centrally directing national security investigations. The role of a National Case Officer is not just a job, but a chance to shape the future of national security.

National Case Officers sit at the center of the Service’s broader intelligence apparatus. They actively manage and drive investigations and intelligence operations. They are responsible for stakeholder engagement and the exchange of intelligence between CSIS and its partners (domestic and foreign). As such, they play a critical role in directing investigations, assessing and evaluating intelligence, and preparing timely, accurate, clear, and concise reporting in a manner that protects sensitive sources. Their work supports and informs decision making. National Case Officers direct investigations through specialized research and analysis, case management, and direct collaboration with partner departments and agencies located in Canada and abroad.

National Case Officers come from diverse social and educational backgrounds, and they require a common set of skills in order to be successful in their role. This includes intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, the ability to analyze and make sense of large amounts of information, as well as the ability to write clearly and concisely with a high level of accuracy, even while under pressure and time constraints. National Case Officers must also have strong interpersonal and communication skills. Additionally, they must be flexible, creative, persistent in the face of challenges, and able to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced work environment.

By virtue of their work, National Case Officers have access to highly classified and controlled information, and are involved in sensitive intelligence operations. As such, their honesty, integrity, and reliability must be beyond reproach.

Education

• Completed Undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree

The educational program must be 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 through a recognized credential assessment service.

Experience

Work experience in each of the following:

• Conducting complex assessments. Complex is defined as comprising several factors which make the situation difficult.
• Handling difficult situations. Difficult situations are defined as challenging or unexpected circumstances, conflicts, or problems.
• Working in a team.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the CSIS mandate, the CSIS Act, and the Government of Canada’s intelligence priorities regarding the security of Canada.
• An awareness of both national and international current events and an understanding of how they relate to the CSIS mandate.

Competencies

• Critical Thinking
• Communication (oral and written)
• Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Integrity

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.

• Previous experience in areas of including working for the Government of Canada, particularly in the fields of national security, intelligence, enforcement, or defense;
• Knowledge of language (s) other than French and English
• Personal experience travelling or residing abroad or interacting with people from different backgrounds.

Conditions of Employment

• National Case Officers must be comfortable working flexible work hours.
• Training: Candidates must successfully complete the 14-week long National Case Officer Entry Training (NCOET) course as a condition of their employment. This is a pass/fail course and candidates have only one opportunity to participate in the training. This is an intensive training program, and candidates can expect long working hours throughout the 14-week training schedule.
• Mobility: National Case Officers must be willing to relocate within Canada during their career. CSIS may transfer an employee anywhere within the organization in order to meet its organizational requirements. National Case Officers must also be willing to travel as required. Assistance and financial support will be provided in line with policy.
• National Case Officer positions are located in the National Capital Region (Ottawa), and candidates residing outside of this region will be required to relocate to Ottawa to take up the position and complete the National Case Officer Entry Training (NCOET).
• Please note that the following position may entail exposure to abhorrent material.

Official Language (OL) Proficiency

Various Language Requirements

• Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB
• Candidates who are successful in the selection process will be assessed by the Public Service Commission of Canada to determine their proficiency in French or English (their second official language). Those who do not meet the language requirements will need to complete full-time language training successfully, prior to attending the Ottawa-based National Case Officer Entry Training. Further information regarding language requirements and assessment tools may be found on the Government of Canada’s Public Service Commission’s website: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs/language-requirements-candidates.html

Assessment Process

The assessment process is conducted in Canada only, and involves numerous steps, including a series of standardized tests and a written exam. If successful, you will be invited to the first of a series of interviews, and will eventually undergo psychometric testing and a security clearance process.

As Of 2026 04 01, Applicants Have a Maximum Of Two Attempts To Meet The Testing Standards For The Assessments Listed Below.

• Standardized tests
• Written Communication Test

Candidates have two total attempts for each of the two steps listed above, across all recruitment processes that use these assessments. The standardized tests and written test are currently used for both the National Case Officer and the Human-Intelligence Officer processes.

If a candidate does not meet on their first attempt, they must wait a minimum of one (1) year for their second and final attempt. If they reapply before the one-year period has elapsed, their application will not be retained.

Assessments prior to 2026 04 01 do not count towards the two-attempt limit.

Notes

While we continue to explore opportunities for flexible work arrangements, most roles in our organization require an in-office presence. However, alternative options may be available for certain positions, depending on their specific requirements.

CSIS is committed to diversity and inclusion and the equitable participation of all Canadians. Should you require accommodation, please tell us at the beginning of the selection process. This information will be kept confidential.

Reference Links

• Salary Grade Breakdown

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 the Public 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 under the Privacy Act and will be held in Personal Information Bank SIS/P-PU-025.

We thank all applicants for their interest in CSIS. However, only those who are selected for further consideration will be contacted.