About the position
DutiesAs a Senior Border & Travel Health Nurse Advisor, you will:
• Conduct complex public health and communicable disease assessments in operational settings, including comprehensive telephone-based evaluations. The role also requires managing high volume data entry and sustained extended periods of computer based work.
• Apply and support the implementation of public health legislation, policies, and clinical protocols
• Provide guidance and mentorship to colleagues and partners to promote consistent and evidence-informed practice
• Collaborate with stakeholders such as CBSA, Transport Canada, airport authorities, airlines, and provincial or territorial public health partners
• Contribute to operational planning, readiness activities, surge response, and continuous improvement initiatives
This role requires sound clinical judgment, professionalism, and the ability to operate independently in time-sensitive and evolving situations.
Work environmentThis position supports public health activities in relation to Canada’s border and travel health mandate.
The work can be physically and mentally demanding. You may be required to:
• Work shifts, including evenings, weekends, and statutory holidays
• Stand for extended periods and work in busy, high-traffic environments
• Interact with travellers and partners in challenging or high-stress situations
• Wear personal protective equipment in accordance with infection prevention and control measures
• Be mobilized for surge response during public health emergencies
In return, you will be part of a highly professional and collaborative team dedicated to protecting Canadians from communicable disease risks and other emerging public health threats. PHAC offers meaningful work, opportunities for professional growth, and the ability to make a tangible difference in the health and safety of people across the country.
Intent of the process
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is seeking experienced and motivated registered nurses to join our team as Senior Border & Travel Health Nurse Advisors. In this impactful role, you will contribute directly to protecting Canadians from public health threats by supporting health measures in border and travel environments.
This position offers a unique opportunity to combine clinical expertise, public health leadership, and operational collaboration in a dynamic and nationally significant setting. If you are a confident nursing professional who exercises strong judgment, thrives in complex situations, and is committed to meaningful public service, this role may be an excellent fit for you.
At PHAC, you will join a dynamic and forward-looking organization committed to advancing public health, enhancing emergency preparedness, and working collaboratively across jurisdictions to protect Canadians.
The immediate intent of this process is to staff:
- 3 (three) Bilingual imperative BBB/BBB on an indeterminate basis at the Vancouver International Airport, British Columbia
- 2 (two) Bilingual imperative BBB/BBB on an indeterminate basis at the Calgary International Airport, Alberta
- 2 (two) Bilingual imperative BBB/BBB positions in Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, Quebec , and,
- 3 (three) Bilingual imperative BBB/BBB;2(two) on an indeterminate basis and 1(one) on a temporary basis in Toronto Pearson International Airport, Ontario.
These positions require 100% onsite presence to support operational needs and ensure effective service delivery; remote or hybrid work arrangements are not available.
A pool of qualified candidates (fully assessed or partially assessed) will be established and this pool may be used to staff similar positions at this group and level, with various linguistic profiles, various security requirements and various tenures (permanent, specified term, acting, deployment, assignment, term, secondment) within the Centre for Border and Travel Health.
Important messages
When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.
You are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of your choice (English or French). You are asked to indicate your preferred official language in your application.
For this selection process, we will communicate with you by email. You must provide a valid email address to which you wish to receive communication regarding this selection process. You must ensure that you check your email account including spam, promotion or other folders regularly as there may be a deadline for responses. If you respond past the deadline you risk being removed from the selection process.
Proof of education will be requested if you are considered for a position. Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/
Conditions of employment
Reliability Status security clearance
Learn more about security screening process.
- Current valid registration as a Registered Nurse and a member in good standing in a province or territory of Canada.
- Valid Class 5 (class G in Ontario) driver's licence.
- Must complete the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Quarantine Officer designation training and pass exam, enabling certification within the time allotted in the training program. Successful completion of this training program, of the exams and of the post-training follow-up to maintain the designation are all mandatory steps.
- Must complete the Occupational Health Evaluation (OHE) for Quarantine Officer (QO) (NU-CHN) and Environmental Health Officer (EHO) (EG) positions as per the Directive on Occupational Health Evaluations.
- Willingness and ability to work shifts, on a rotating basis, variable hours and schedules, weekends, evenings, nights and statutory holidays, as required.
- Willingness and ability to follow the PHAC Uniform Directive and Standards of Appearance for the Centre for Border and Travel Health.
- Willingness and ability to work in an environment that is physically demanding (working in a standing position, potentially outdoors, and walking frequently) and mentally demanding (managing stress associated with rapidly changing work conditions, repeating public health instructions frequently, calming and reassuring stressed, worried, aggressive or uncooperative travelers).
Operational Requirements
Operational Requirements
- Willingness and ability to work overtime as required, on short notice.
- Willingness and ability to be on stand-by on a rotating basis and called back to work, as required
- Willingness and ability to travel for work as needed, including travel to one or more POE (port of entry).
- Willingness and ability to wear personal protective equipment (e.g., respiratory protection, N95 masks, gloves, gown) in order to maintain infection prevention and control.
- Willingness and ability to be mobilized for surge capacity for emergency management purposes (including pandemic response), potentially on short notice.
- Willingness and ability to present yourself in court during and post-employment.
You need (essential for the job)
Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following
Education
- Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in nursing, nursing service administration, nursing education, or some other specialty relevant to the position.
Learn more about degree equivalency.
Occupational Certification
- Eligibility for registration as a Registered Nurse in a province or territory of Canada.
Experience
- Recent experience* in a clinical or public health setting relevant to communicable disease or infection prevention and control (e.g., Emergency Department, Urgent Care, Infectious Disease Unit, border health screening, community health settings or Communicable Disease Control).
- Experience working in a multi-disciplinary environment building and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal and external partners to support program delivery, outreach, and stakeholder engagement.
- Recent experience* preparing accurate, timely and legally defensible documentation, reports, or records related to either public health assessments, investigations, or operational decisions.
- Experience contributing to the planning and developing public health programs or communicable diseases operational activities or clinical protocols (e.g. readiness assessment, surge response, gap identification, or continuity planning, etc.).
* Recent experience is defined as experience gained within the last five (5) years.
Applied / assessed at a later date
Abilities
- Ability to analyze information, assess risk, and recommend appropriate public health actions.
- Ability to manage challenging situations with clients and partners.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally.
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Personal Suitability
- Demonstrating integrity and respect
- Working effectively with others
- Judgement
- Showing initiative and being action-oriented
You may need (asset qualifications)
May be applied / assessed at a later date
Asset Experience
- Experience contributing to the development or implementation of public health protocols, surveillance, operational guidelines, or procedures.
- Experience conducting stakeholder outreach or engagement related to public health or emergency preparedness.
- Experience applying infection prevention and control principles in clinical, field, or operational environments.
- Experience working on policy or working on committees to create policy or programs.
- Experience enforcing or supporting compliance with public health orders, including documentation, reporting, and follow-up.