Careers FAQs

CFMWS has over 4,000 employees.

CFMWS headquarters is located at 4210 Labelle Street, Ottawa, Ontario. Our employees are also on every Base, Wing, and Unit across Canada, as well as locations in the United States and Europe.

CFMWS is a separate agency of the Defence team. Working on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff and under the authority of the Defence Minister, CFMWS is a trusted partner in the Defence enterprise, operating under the Non-Public Property framework, expending Public and Non-Public funds in a unique operating model that creates real value for the CAF Community.

CFMWS is a separate employer and recognized as The Staff of Non Public Funds, Canadian Forces, a separate employer under Schedule V of the Financial Administration Act of the Government of Canada. Its employees are public servants but not part of the core public administration. We are not employees of Treasury Board, nor are we employees of the Department of National Defence.

Applicants should apply online for a position by clicking on the APPLY button within the job advertisement. 

Applicants apply online and are screened based on the qualifications, including language abilities, as listed in the job advertisement.

Typically, if an applicant is requested to attend an interview, they will hear from us within a few weeks after the expiry date of the job advertisement.

All job opportunities are posted on our recruiting website. A candidate may set up a career alert to receive email updates of opportunities. 

Candidates must be legally entitled to work for CFMWS. This includes Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and those with valid work permits without restrictions that would preclude working for CFMWS.

Yes. 40% of CFMWS’ workforce comprises employees with a military affiliation (i.e. spouse, dependent). We understand the impact deployments can have on a career in terms of unemployment and underemployment and are sensitive to this when screening. Additionally, CFMWS searches for talent in the Military Spousal Employment Network and encourages military spouses to register. 

Yes, the shared competencies are the foundation of every aspect of talent management at CFMWS, including selection. During the interview, you will be asked behavioral questions focusing on the shared competencies.

Some certifications may be needed before starting work, while some may be earned while working. If you are interested in the job opportunity but do not possess all the certifications listed, we still encourage you to apply.

All employees will receive onboarding usually on or around their first day of work. During the onboarding, employees will learn more about the organizations, its structure and its policies and procedures. Training specific to your position will typically occur during your first week(s) of work.

We do accept applications even if a specific job opportunity that interests you is not posted. Please apply to the General Application that is found at the very bottom of the career page.

Once all documents are submitted correctly, we typically know the outcome within 14 days, however in some cases the process may take longer.  

Yes, it is part of the security screening process, and the criminal record check is only one component of the Reliability screening. There will be no direct cost to you for this screening. 

Yes, a Reliability status is the minimum security screening level required for positions at CFMWS. Individuals that will be in a position of trust or authority of vulnerable persons will require a Vulnerable Sector Check. Positions that deal with money will require a credit check at the employee’s own cost. Other positions may require a higher-level security clearance.

Only the successful candidate(s) will be asked to complete the security clearance.

Most Canadian provinces produce photo ID cards for Canadians who do not drive. 

All employees are required to have a valid Reliability status; it is a condition of employment. Should it not be approved, this could result in your employment offer being retracted, or employment being terminated for failing to meet this condition of employment.   

A Reliability status requires a 5-year background check verifying the applicant’s identify, education and professional credentials. A candidate will be asked to provide: 

• Two pieces of Government-issued identification such as a valid passport, birth certificate or valid driver’s license, one of which must have a photo. Identification must be authenticated and photocopied in person, so the hiring manager or the local human resources office must take a photocopy of the original and initial it. 
• Proof of current address if the address on your identification is not current. An address can be proved through a T4, Record of Employment, Lease agreement, Utility (power, water, phone) statement, dental claim, prescription, massage/medical claim or insurance renewal.
• Proof of qualifications (highest level only required) such as high school diploma, college/university degree, current CPR/First Aid and related certifications. 
• Personal reference (as character reference) that has known you for at least five years. This includes the name, phone number, and how you know the individual.
• Resume and professional references for all employers for the past five years.  This includes name and phone numbers for all previous employers for the past five years. Preferably direct supervisors.

CFMWS does not charge applicants a fee for processing security screening.  Expenses an applicant may incur could include: cost to obtain official documents, such as fingerprints or a police clearance certificate from a foreign country, cost of the Vulnerable Sector Check if required for their position, and cost for obtaining any other document required as proof (i.e. copy of transcript). 

Security screening is a condition of employment for all CFMWS employees as they are working inside or on National Defence facilities/properties. The minimum level required for security screening is a Reliability status. 

Yes, part of the Reliability screening process is that we must confirm your reliability with all employers that you have had during the past five years. 

Yes. Any degree/diploma/certificate identified on your resume needs to be verified even if it does not relate to the position applied to.

Proof of address is only required for an individual’s current residence. Previous addresses within the last five years, must be identified on the security form.

This will be dependent on the position and determined by the individual hiring manager. It is a discussion that will take place during the employment offer. 

CFMWS complies with the Employment Equity Act and is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce that is representative of the available labour market. By self-identifying during the application process, you help us ensure our outreach efforts are reaching all Canadians.   

CFMWS is proud to have diversity Champions for Women, Persons with Disabilities, Indigenous People, Visible Minorities, LGBTQ2+, Wellness and Official Languages. Through these Champions, and the networks they have built, we celebrate important days and milestones. This past year we celebrated our inclusiveness by hosting online events so our employees were able to share their thoughts and have meaningful discussion on diversity and inclusion. We have also created a D&I learning series to educate employees on what Diversity and Inclusion means at CFMWS.  We continue to develop initiatives by collaborating with other organizations such as Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion.

We believe that diversity and inclusion is not just about doing the right thing, but is also about building a stronger organization and providing excellent service to military members and their families. For this to occur, our employees need to bring their full selves to work, to grow, thrive and achieve. As such, we provide a respectful and healthy workplace that values an inclusive work environment and is free from discrimination. 

Each job comes with a defined language requirement. While many positions require knowledge of only English or French, others require specific levels of proficiency in both Official Languages.  

Bilingual essential means a candidate must meet the language proficiency required for the position at the time of hire. Bilingual an asset means that the language proficiency of the candidates will be taken into consideration during the selection process.

 

CFMWS Proficiency level	Government of Canada Proficiency level
Basic	A
Functional	B
Advanced	C
Professional	P
Exempt	X

CFMWS will recognize valid test results from certain testing providers. A copy of the results will need to be provided to HR to determine if they will be accepted. If it is not approved by HR, CFMWS will offer you a language screening. 

During the application process you will be required to indicate if you meet the language requirements as identified on the job advertisement. It is also crucial to indicate on your resume your language ability, particularly if you are applying for a bilingual position.

A candidate that does not meet the language requirements will be offered free language training to meet the language requirement of the position. All CFMWS employees, regardless of the language requirement of their position, have access to free online, virtual or self-learning language training.