About the position
Work environmentThe Department of National Defence (DND) is one of the largest federal government employers, offering over 70 types of civilian career opportunities. DND's role is to provide services and support to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in their operations and missions at home and abroad. The civilian workforce is an essential part of the Defence Team. Your knowledge and expertise contribute to the overall mission. In this regard, the department fosters a work environment where you have opportunities to learn, to develop your talents, to progress in your career and have job satisfaction over the long-term.
The Canadian Coast Guard is a special operating agency within the Department of National Defence. We work to ensure the safety of mariners in Canadian waters and protect Canada’s marine environment.
The Canadian Coast Guard Academy is the national maritime training facility of the Canadian Coast Guard. The CCG Academy develops and delivers specialized training and services in French and English to support our mission and mandate in marine safety, security and environmental protection.
* Note: Effective 1 September 2025, the Canadian Coast Guard has transferred to DND by Order-in-Council.
Intent of the process
The Canadian Coast Guard recruits and develops candidates to become Canadian Coast Guard Officers. Candidates entering into the Canadian Coast Guard Officer Training Program are initially hired as Officer Cadets at the SO-MAO-00 level and progress to the SO-MAO-02 level (*under review) once they have completed the 4 year training program. Upon graduation, they are given continued employment across Canada, within the Coast Guard Fleet.
The Canadian Coast Guard Officer Training Program will not only provide you with a gateway to becoming a Marine Engineering Officer or a Marine Navigation Officer with the Coast Guard, but provides the following benefits of employment:
• Classroom and practical training at the Academy and on Coast Guard vessels
• Textbooks and uniforms
• Room and board
• A monthly allowance
• Medical and dental plan coverage
Graduates from the Canadian Coast Guard Academy will receive:
• Technology Degree in Nautical Sciences granted in partnership with Cape Breton University
• Canadian Coast Guard Academy Diploma
• Commercial Certification as a Ship's Officer issued by Transport Canada
• Continued employment with the Canadian Coast Guard. CCG Officers must accept an assigned posting anywhere in Canada.
Qualified candidates may be selected for entry into the program prior to the closing date. The CCG Academy has one intake per year, typical start date is the last week of August. The CCG Academy has limited number of positions, and not all candidates who are successful in the application process will enter into the program.
As it can take several months to complete assessments, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. In order to be considered for the intake of 2026, complete applications and transcripts need to be received by February 13th, 2026.
Important messages
▶This is an inventory process, and candidates will be assessed on a continuous basis until the closing date.
▶After clicking “Apply now” and answering the non-screening questions, please ensure you click “Submit application.”
▶ Once your GC Jobs application is submitted, you will receive an email with a link to the VidCruiter platform to complete the entire Officer Training Program application and essential screening questions. If you have already started your application through VidCruiter this step does not apply to you.
▶ Candidates must meet ALL essential qualifications, operational requirements, and conditions of employment to be considered for an appointment to one of the limited positions.
▶ Candidates are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of their choice and are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.
▶ As all of the communication for this process will be conducted via email for screening and assessment purposes (including sending invitations for interviews), it is your responsibility to ensure that you check for messages regularly and to ensure that your email address accepts messages from unknown users; some email systems block these types of email or filter them to a junk mail folder. The Canadian Coast Guard Academy is not responsible for any incorrect or incomplete application information. Errors in your profile and or failure to update your information may result in no further consideration of your application.
▶ All information collected during the selection process including behaviour and communication, from the time of the application until the end of the process, may be used to assess candidates.
▶ To ensure the integrity of the selection process, the content and questions of the assessment must remain confidential. Please do not discuss or share the assessment content with anyone, including other candidates. You must complete the assessment, including screening questions, by yourself, without the help of others, including the use of unapproved internet resources and artificial intelligence (such as ChatGPT or any other forms of artificial intelligence). Plagiarism and the use of artificial intelligence is strictly prohibited throughout the entire process and suspected non-compliance will be investigated. Any violation may result in potential consequences which could include your elimination from this selection process.
▶ If, at any point in this process or upon qualifying in this process, your Values and Ethics do not align with that of the Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Code of Values and Ethics and Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, you will be eliminated from further consideration in this process. (Copy and paste these links in your browser for more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/benefits-military/defence-ethics/policies-publications/code-value-ethics.html AND https://www.tbs-sct.canada.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=25049).
Conditions of employment
▶ Must have a valid Canadian passport upon appointment to the Canadian Coast Guard Officer Training Program and must maintain its validity throughout the program;
▶ Valid Medical - No limitations ** A Transport Canada Marine Medical must be completed prior to initial hire and must be maintained as an ongoing condition of employment. A Health Canada Occupational Assessment Medical (pre-placement) must also be completed within the first year of the program and must be maintained as an ongoing condition of employment;
▶ Must obtain a CDN number from Transport Canada prior to the medical;
▶ Must have Reliability Security Clearance upon initial hire and Secret Security Clearance by first sea phase;
▶ *For the Navigation Program Only – Must obtain an official Transport Canada Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) prior to appointment
▶ Must wear and maintain a uniform as per the Canadian Coast Guard Uniform Manual;
▶ Must wear and maintain required protective clothing and equipment in the prescribed manner as per the Canada Labour Code, Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Maritime Occupational Health and Safety Regulations and other regulations governing seagoing personnel;
▶ Must take training in respiratory protection and wear a breathing apparatus. In compliance with the rules and instructions regarding the wearing of a breathing apparatus on board CCG vessels, employees must be disposed to achieving and maintaining a non-leaking face piece-to skin seal with the mask of the breathing apparatus;
▶ An Officer Cadet has an obligation to complete his/her training at the Canadian Coast Guard Academy and to serve in His Majesty's service for a minimum of four(4) years following graduation from the Academy; and
▶ Must accept appointment to any position across Canada.
▶ Strict adherence to the Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Code of Values and Ethics, Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, Directive on Conflict of Interest, and Defence Administrative Orders and Directives (DAOD) 7021-1, Conflict of Interest.
o Copy and paste these links in your browser for more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/benefits-military/defence-ethics/policies-publications/code-value-ethics.html AND https://www.tbs-sct.canada.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=25049 AND https://www.tbs-sct.canada.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=32627 ANDhttps://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/policies-standards/defence-administrative-orders-directives/7000-series/7021/7021-1-conflict-of-interest.html
You need (essential for the job)
Applied / assessed at a later date
Education:
Successful completion of a high school diploma and completion of the following required advanced/post-secondary school preparatory level courses with 70% or higher in each:
• Grade 11 Chemistry (*Required for Engineering Program Only)
• Grade 12 Advanced Mathematics (Pre-calculus)
• Grade 12 Physics
• Grade 12 English or French
For applicants studying in Quebec:
• Secondary 5 – Chemistry 534 (051504) (*Required for Engineering Program Only)
• Secondary 5 –Mathematics Technical-Sciences (064506), or Mathematics Natural Sciences (065506)
• Secondary 5 - Physics 534 (053504)
• Secondary 5 – French or English (132506/134504)
Notes
• A final grade of a minimum 70% is required in each of the advanced/post-secondary school preparatory courses.
• Applicants currently in High School need to provide a copy of their current transcript with a grade 12 course enrollment listing.
• Applicants upgrading courses need to provide a copy of proof of enrollment in the required courses
• All Applicants either in High School and/or upgrading courses must provide a copy of mid-year transcript(s) as well as an end of semester transcript(s).
• For specific information on course requirements please refer to Prerequisites by Province.
• Post-secondary school credit courses may be accepted as equivalencies to the required high school courses.
• Applicants who completed secondary or post-secondary school through a Non-Canadian education system are required to meet the equivalent standards indicated in the Canadian Education system
*Please note that the Canadian Coast Guard Academy reserves the right to be the final arbiter of what it will accept on an equivalency basis.
Learn more about degree equivalency.
Knowledge:
K1. Knowledge of the Canadian Coast Guard
K2. Knowledge of the Canadian Coast Guard Academy
Abilities: (will be evaluated throughout the entire selection process):
A1. Ability to communicate effectively orally
A2. Ability to communicate effectively in writing
A3. Attention to Detail
A4. Ability to Follow Instructions
A5. Demonstrating Integrity and Respect
*All information collected during the selection process including behaviour and communication, from the time of the application until the end of the process, may be used to assess candidates.
Personal Suitabilities:
PS1. Leadership
PS2. Judgment
PS3. Teamwork
PS4. Initiative
PS5. Adaptability
You may need (asset qualifications)
May be applied / assessed at a later date
Asset Experience:
AEX1. Experience working with the Canadian Coast Guard
AEX2. Experience working, volunteering or participating in maritime based activities
AEX3. Experience participating or volunteering with events, organizations, projects or committees
Note: Asset qualifications that are not essential to perform the work, but that would benefit the organization or enhance the work to be performed currently or in the future. An asset is considered as a "bonus" or "nice to have", but is not a minimum requirement for the position.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you apply.
Learn more about diversity and inclusion in the public service.
Organizational Needs:
The Department of National Defence is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive team that reflects Canada's population.
To achieve a representative workforce, selection may be based on qualified candidates self-declaring as belonging to one or more of the designated groups: Indigenous Peoples, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and women.
We encourage you to indicate if you belong to any of the designated groups when you apply.
As means to support our military families, consideration may first be given to the spouses or common-law partners of serving Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members.
Learn more about employment equity.