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. 

Job advertisements expiry at 11:59 PM of the time zone they were created in. Given that this may be several hours different from your time zone, it is important to apply as soon as possible to an opportunity.

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. 

How do I set up a career alert?

By setting up a career alert, you can be notified by email when a job opportunity is posted that meets your criteria.

To create the career alert: 
Step 1 – set up your search. For example, if you want to be notified of jobs at a particular location, with specific key words, or that belong to a functional area. 
Step 2 - Click on “Search”. 
Step 4 - Click on “Create job alert for this search”. 
Step 5 – Enter your email address, select the frequently you want to receive notifications and for what period of time.

You can set up as many career alerts as you like. 

Within the email notification is the end date of the career alert. It is important to create a new career alert prior to the end date to ensure you do not miss out on any opportunities.

 

Candidates must be legally entitled to work for CFMWS. Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible for all types of employment (permanent, temporary and casual). Individuals who have a valid work permit for Canada without restrictions that would preclude working for CFMWS are eligible for temporary employment only. They will be considered in the selection process for a permanent position, but if successful, will only be offered a temporary contract. CFMWS does not sponsor candidates for work permits or permanent residency.

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.

Yes, a Reliability status is the minimum security screening level required for ALL positions at CFMWS. 

Individuals that will be in a position of trust or authority of vulnerable persons will also 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 will be asked to complete the security clearance.

Once the successful candidate has accepted the letter of offer, a member of our Center of Reliability team will send the candidate an encrypted email with the information required to complete the security screening process. 

The new hire will complete the form and provide the information back to the Center of Reliability. 

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: 

A Reliability status requires a 5-year background check verifying the applicant’s identity, education and professional credentials. A candidate will be asked to provide: 
1) (2) pieces of ID from the Foundational List OR
(1) piece of ID from the Foundational list and (1) piece from the Supporting ID list:

Foundational ID:
•    Provincial or Territorial Birth Certificate
•    Canadian Citizenship Certificate (Both sides)
•    Canadian Citizenship Card (Both sides - Issued prior to 2012)
•    Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad (previously issued)
•    Record of Landing Document (if you recently arrived in Canada)
•    Permanent Resident Card (Both sides)
                                                 
Supporting ID: Must be photo identification
•    Canadian Passport (Both pages. Ensure your passport is signed)
•    Provincial or Territorial Driver’s License,
•    Provincial or Territorial Healthcare card (BC and QC),
•    Provincial or Territorial Identification card (exception QC)
•    Nexus Card
•    Firearm License
•    Certificate of Indian status

2) Proof of current address and list of physical addresses for the past 5 years.  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.

3) Proof of qualifications (highest level only required) such as high school diploma, college/university degree, current CPR/First Aid and related certifications. 

4) 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.

5) 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 a fee for processing security screening, however, any costs related to obtaining documentation is at the applicant’s expense. Expenses an applicant may incur could include: cost to obtain official documents, such as fingerprints, a new copy of the provincial birth certificate, a new copy of citizenship, a new/renewal permanent resident card, a renewal of the driver’s license, a provincial identification card 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).

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.

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.   

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 accurate reporting and that our outreach efforts are reaching all Canadians.

CFMWS is proud to have diversity Champions for Women, Persons with Disabilities, Indigenous People, Black and Racialized People, the 2SLGBTQAI+ community, Wellness and Official Languages. Through these Champions, and the networks they have built, we celebrate important days and milestones.

We believe that diversity, equity 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.

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.