Pay and Benefits Specialist - Level 05 (Junior) and Level 06

Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) | Service canadien du renseignement de sécurité (SCRS); Ottawa; On-site; CAD 68,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

A Canadian government agency located in Ottawa seeks to hire a Junior Pay and Benefits Specialist responsible for administering pay and benefits, counseling employees, and managing employee compensation data. The ideal candidate will have a college diploma and relevant experience in HR systems such as Phoenix Pay. This full-time position requires the ability to work on-site as it cannot be performed remotely.

Benefits

Job stability

Great benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 2 years of experience required with a college diploma or 4 years of experience with a high school diploma.
• Experience processing compensation and benefits in Public Service or private sector.
• Experience in client service as a resource person.

Responsibilities

• Administer pay and benefits and counsel employees on related topics.
• Research and analyze employee compensation entitlements.
• Maintain and update internal databases for tracking compensation information.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Client Service

Communication

Problem Solving

Adaptability

Education

2-year college diploma

High school diploma

Tools

HR Management System (HRMS)

Phoenix Pay System

Job description

Job Summary

Junior Pay and Benefits Specialist (Level 05)

• Learn and manage the different systems identified in the Pay Section's prescribed training plan.
• Undergo and successfully complete the various training courses required by Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC) in order to become a Pay and Benefits Specialist.
• Accurately administer pay and benefits including counselling employees on a variety of pay and leave topics under the guidance of a trainer.
• Research and analyze data from a wide variety of sources (policy, insurance manuals, benefits chart, etc...) to determine employee compensation entitlements in order to accurately initiate pay transactions.
• Prepares documentation packages for newly hired, leave without pay, transfer, retirement, resignation etc.
• Co-ordinate with other departments/agencies, the continuation of employee benefits and deductions by communicating orally or in writing with the other departments under the guidance of a trainer in addition to deciding what information to disclose.
• Learn to accurately verify pay transactions and pay files and perform cheque release under the guidance of a trainer.
• Liaise with government offices, insurance companies, financial institutions to facilitate decisions and the resolution of salary, benefit and pension entitlements under the guidance of a trainer.
• Organize and control a workload by meeting deadlines in an efficient manner, setting priorities, and ensuring data accuracy in the pay system.
• Maintain and update internal databases in a timely manner, in order to accurately track information for reporting purposes.
• Initiate and monitor transactions such as leave, adjustments, appointments, transfer actions, pension and insurance plans.
• Exercise the delegation of authority under section 34 of the FAA by ensuring payments from the consolidated fund is certified in a manner prescribed by Finance.
• Compose individual correspondence detailing compensation for employees, managers and/or their representatives under the guidance of a trainer.
  
  

Major Responsibilities Include

Pay and Benefits Specialist (Level 06)

• Co-ordinate and administer pay and benefits services by counselling, documenting and advising employees and by interpreting and assessing organizational, TB, and PSPC policies, directives and regulations.
• Research and analyze case-specific data and information to assist with the resolution of complex pay issues by establishing the requirements of legislation/regulations, pension and insurance plans, policies, procedures, programs, directives, collective agreements and other governing authorities and prepare summaries.
• Co-ordinate with other departments, the continuation of employee benefits and deductions by communicating orally or in writing with the other departments.
• Liaise with government offices, insurance companies, financial planners, lawyers and accountants to facilitate decisions and the resolution of salary, benefit and pension entitlements.
• Provide in-depth counselling to employees of all levels, their families and/or their representatives on different options available in various situations (resignations, lay-offs, overpayments, retirements, survivor benefits, life insurance plans, disability insurance, divorce/separation and garnishment).
• Organize and control a workload by meeting deadlines in an efficient manner, setting priorities, conducting peer verification, and ensuring data accuracy in the various pay systems.
• Initiate and monitor transactions such as leave, adjustments, appointments, transfer actions, pension and insurance plans by obtaining data from a variety of sources and determine/calculate entitlements, options, and obligations by preparing and issuing/submitting data, information, and responses.
• Exercise the delegation of authority under section 34 of the FAA by ensuring payments from the consolidated fund is certified in a manner prescribed by Finance.
• Maintain and update administrative procedures and tools related to compensation; manage and track information.
• Compose individual correspondence detailing compensation for employees, managers and/or their representatives; participate on projects by providing input such as system improvement initiatives, development, testing and implementation (i.e. PBIS, HRIS, and HRMIS).
  
  

Education

Junior Pay and Benefits Specialist (Level 05)

• 2-year college diploma and Two (2) years of experience required; or
• High school diploma and Four (4) years of experience required.
  
  

Pay and Benefits Specialist (Level 06)**

• 2-year college diploma and Three (3) years of experience required; or
• High school diploma and Four (4) years of experience required.
  
  

Experience

Level 05:

• Recent experience processing compensation / pay and benefits services to employees in the private sector or in the Federal Public Service
• Recent experience processing data entries in a Human Resources Management System (HRMS) such as People Soft, Workday, Phoenix pay system, SAP, Ceridian and / or Regional Pay System (RPS)
  
  

Level 06

• Recent experience performing the full scope of the position as a fully trained* Pay Specialist using the Phoenix Pay System, including administering pay and benefits to employees. Recent experience providing compensation support and guidance on the PAY/ Compensation services in the Federal Public Service to employees and the employee’s immediate supervisors to propose viable solutions.
  
  

Level 05 & 06

• Experience in client service as a resource person.
  
  

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. Assets can help determine right fit in certain circumstances.

• Processing direct entries in the Phoenix pay system, in the Federal Public Service.
  
  

Competencies

• Adaptability / Flexibility
• Analytical Skills
• Client Service
• Problem Solving
• Rigour
  
  

Conditions of Employment

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

Notes

• Allowance
• This position is eligible for the Pay Market Modifier, which is, valued at 6.5% of the basic annual salary (L05) 68,552 - $83,389 and 9.5% of the basic annual salary (L06) $77,427 - $94,177 for the Pay and Benefits position. The above includes the 6.5% & 9.5% Pay Market Modifier for the 2 levels of Pay and Benefits position.
• If you need accommodations during the recruitment process, please mention it to the HR representative.
  
  

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

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. 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.

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Date Modified

2025-08-11