Deployment Support

The Process

• Step 1: The Roles
  We typically recruit for the following positions. Click on each role to view the job description and qualifications needed. 

  • Senior Manager, Morale and Welfare Operations
  • Fitness, Sports, and Recreation Coordinator/Supervisor
  • Travel and Recreation Coordinator/Supervisor
  • Retail Coordinator/Supervisor
  • Retail Attendant
  • Barber/Stylist
  • Accounting Coordinator 
  • Reconditioning Specialist
  • Site Manager 
  • Warehouse Manager – Deployed Operations
• Step 2: Self-Assessment – Is deploying suitable for you?

  Working and living conditions on a deployment vary from one location to another. Depending on the circumstances, Deployment Support staff may work without many of the comforts, support network, and normal Canadian infrastructure. The following questions may not apply for every mission, but act as a guide to help in assessing if deploying is suitable for you. Reflect upon these questions and your answers to decide if this is the right opportunity for you, or the right time in your life.

  Things to consider	Ask yourself
  Friends and family   Deploying with CFMWS means you will be away from friends and family for extended periods.	Can you put life in Canada on hold for six (6) months to work overseas?  Are you prepared to be apart from my loved ones for six (6) months? Would your family and/or friends support your decision? If there are concerns, how would their reaction impact you? Is your motivation for working overseas healthy and authentic? You should not pursue this opportunity to avoid issues at home. Do you have any dependents that need your support during a six (6) month period?
  Health and wellness   The environments of a deployment are often demanding and can be stressful.	Do you have excellent mental and physical resiliency to stand the rigors of a highly stressful environment and possible challenging living conditions? Do you practice self-discipline with eating, exercise, and sleep? Do you have a strong ability to cope with stress? Do you use healthy means to deal with stress? Do you have an optimistic, healthy self-esteem and solid sense of yourself?
  Living situation    Living conditions vary depending on the mission. You might find yourself in isolated accommodations or living in close quarters with a number of other people. You may be without the comforts to which you are used to. Security restrictions may limit where you can go off camp, what you can do, and when you can do it.	Are you comfortable living in isolated surroundings?  Can you live in shared accommodations in close quarters with others? Are you willing to follow strict security rules and regulations in both your work and personal time?  Can you adapt your daily routines to situations where your movement is restricted?
  Professional and Career   Consider the professional impact of a deployment.	Have you spoken to your employer about this employment opportunity? Would your employer at home support your decision and possibly support with short notice?  Does your employer understand when you would return to work? If self-employed, are you willing and able to risk losing business clients due to your absence or are there other contingency plans you must put into place?
  Work context   Our main goal is to support the military. Our staff will work and live with Canadian Armed Forces members, civilian staff and international military members. Our team must respect and adapt to different cultures and work styles. There is a requirement to work all days of the week (including weekends) and up to 56 hours per week.	Do you thrive when working in a multi-cultural environment and accept the challenge of adapting to different cultures and work styles?  Can you work/live with people whose heritage, values, beliefs etc. are different from yours? Do you set realistic goals? Can you handle adversity and embrace change?  Are you able to focus on the task at hand when faced with a high work volume and multiple challenges? Are you self-motivated? Do you work well on a team? Can you respect the role of every other member and work cooperatively? Do you have the ability to work 56 hours per week, including weekends? Are you able to adapt quickly to fast-paced, changing environments?
  Working for CFMWS Deployment Support  The main goals are to:    Enhance the morale and well-being; and   Contribute to the operational readiness and effectiveness of our Canadian Armed Forces abroad.   Staff must understand that our mission is to contribute directly to the Forces' philosophy “people first, mission always”. We do this by providing a full range of services such as fitness, sports and recreation, retail and Home Leave Travel Assistance (HLTA), and barbering.	Would you find the work rewarding? Do you understand you will “serve those who serve?”  Could you find joy in organizing activities in your off-hours as a way to boost overall morale?

  Possible Locations:

  *Locations to deploy can change based on operational needs

  Latvia: Operation (Op) REASSURANCE refers to the military activities undertaken by CAF to support North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe. The CAF lead and participate in international exercises and are in Latvia as part of NATO, aimed at capacity building with partner nations and Latvia. The local currency is Euro (€) and official language is Latvian (Unofficial: Russian). Weather is comparable to Western Canada, warm summers with extended daylight (peak avg 22˚C), and cold rainy winters with limited daylight (low avg 1˚C). Wi-Fi is available on the base.

  HMC Ships (*only Fitness, Sports, and Recreation Coordinators): The RCN deployed two ships in support of two separate operations (Europe, Asia & the Middle East) to perform a wide range of tasks ranging from deterrent presence and situational awareness to exercises and the conduct of operational missions. These ships provide NATO, Combined Maritime Forces (Middle East/ Africa), and the Asia-Pacific region with an immediate operational response capability both in peacetime and in crisis. They demonstrate resolve and foster solidarity, as well as enhance relations with partner nations through visits and exchanges.

• Step 3: Possible Locations

  *Locations to deploy can change based on operational needs

  Latvia: Operation (Op) REASSURANCE refers to the military activities undertaken by CAF to support North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe. The CAF lead and participate in international exercises and are in Latvia as part of NATO, aimed at capacity building with partner nations and Latvia. The local currency is Euro (€) and official language is Latvian (Unofficial: Russian). Weather is comparable to Western Canada, warm summers with extended daylight (peak avg 22˚C), and cold rainy winters with limited daylight (low avg 1˚C). Wi-Fi is available on the base.

  HMC Ships (*only Fitness, Sports, and Recreation Coordinators): The RCN deployed two ships in support of two separate operations (Europe, Asia & the Middle East) to perform a wide range of tasks ranging from deterrent presence and situational awareness to exercises and the conduct of operational missions. These ships provide NATO, Combined Maritime Forces (Middle East/ Africa), and the Asia-Pacific region with an immediate operational response capability both in peacetime and in crisis. They demonstrate resolve and foster solidarity, as well as enhance relations with partner nations through visits and exchanges.

• Step 4: Search for Employment Opportunities and Apply

  Next application period: Winter 2024/2025

  Ways to stay informed of job opportunities:

  Set up a career alert on our career site – you can set up a career alert to notify you when the opportunities are posted. 
  
  To create the career alert: 
  Step 1 – under Province select “Ontario” (select Ontario regardless of where you live).
  Step 2 – under City select “Overseas – 6 months”. 
  Step 3 - 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.

  When the jobs are advertised – apply online

  • Apply on our career site. You will see the same job advertised multiple times. This is to ensure applicants across the country are aware. You only need to apply to one advertisement to be considered. 
  • When submitting your application, ensure all instructions on the job advertisement are followed. Otherwise, your application will not be considered for employment.
  • You will receive an automated email confirmation after you apply

  Other places the job opportunities will be advertised

  • The job opportunities will be advertised on external job boards like Indeed, Jobillico and LinkedIn. You can apply from those job boards. You will receive an automated email confirmation after you apply. 
  • The job opportunities may be advertised on social media like Facebook - CFMWS and Facebook – PSP. You can apply from social media. You will receive an automated email confirmation after you apply.
• Step 5: Interview Process

  After receiving your application, it will be reviewed and assessed. Only suitable candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview. The interview will be conducted virtually.

  Professional references will be requested. 

• Step 6: Training and Selection Course

  If you are successful with the interview process, you will be invited to the Deployment Support Operation Training and Selection Course. 

  This paid course will take place in person. Travel, meals, and accommodations are provided.

  You will learn about the day-to-day expectations, receive technical work-related training, take part in team-building activities, and gain a basic understanding of military practices and procedures.  

  The training and selection course will provide you the opportunity to learn more about our organization. You will also get to interact with like-minded people whom you may deploy with.

  If successful on the course, it is valid for two years. This means an offer could come at any point in the two years following the course.

• Step 7: Conditional Letter of Offer and Pre-Deployment

  If you are selected for deployment, you will be contacted with potential deployment dates, mission, and location. As much notice as possible will be given and can vary based on operational needs. You will receive a conditional letter of offer with the following pre-requirements: 

  • Completion of health, dental, and psychosocial assessment; 
  • Enhanced Reliability (background check); 
  • Current CPR and basic First Aid qualifications; 
  • Canadian citizenship;
  • Must have a valid Canadian passport; and
  • Have a valid Canadian driver’s license.

  You will get a pre-deployment checklist to complete before you are authorized to deploy. The checklist contains: 

  • Online training; 
  • Administrative documents;
  • Medical dental and psychosocial assessment; 
  • Verification of required immunizations; and 
  • Receipt/purchase of uniforms.

  All transportation expenses for pre-deployment assessments are reimbursed. You will receive  an allowance for uniform items not provided (ex: pants, safety footwear).

• Step 8: Deployment

  If you successfully complete the pre-deployment process, you will be provided with your employment contract. 

  Transportation is provided to the deployment location. Accommodations and meals are provided for the duration of your deployment.

  During your deployment, there may be an opportunity to use the home leave travel assistance (HLTA) program. This is not always available and subject to change at any time.

• Step 9: Post Deployment
  Transportation will be provided on your return trip. HR will contact you to provide a post-deployment required checklist. The checklist includes medical and social work appointments. These are required as part of the post-deployment process.