Become a student border services officer

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What we do

SBSOs protect Canada's security and economy by facilitating admissible people and goods, while supporting national security and public safety priorities.

As an SBSO, your job duties include but are not limited to:

• engaging with the public with professionalism and integrity
• interviewing travellers
• examining documents
• verifying declarations and goods
• referring travellers and goods that require further examination

Note: Your specific job duties will depend on your work location.

Watch our video: Did you know that the CBSA hires students?

Work locations

SBSOs work at ports of entry (POEs) across Canada, including:

• international airports
• international mail processing centres
• cruise ship operations
• a telephone reporting centre

The table below lists typical examples of where SBSOs may work. It also shows which locations require SBSOs to have control and defensive tactics (CDT) training and a valid, unrestricted driver’s license.

Note: Hiring opportunities at these locations change each summer. To see current openings, check the SBSO job poster when it becomes available in the summer.

Work hours

SBSOs work full-time, from the end of April until September. Dates may vary depending on location and operational needs.

After the summer work term ends, opportunities to continue working during the fall and winter on a part-time basis may be available.

SBSOs work on a rotating shift schedule. This means your hours will change from week to week.

While schedules will depend on your specific location, here is an example of what your shifts could look like:

• 5 days on, 4 days off
• Weekdays, weekends, statutory holidays
  • 5 am to 3 pm
  • 7 am to 5 pm
  • 10 am to 8:30 pm
  • 12 pm to 10:30 pm
  • 2 pm to 12 am
  • 4 pm to 2 am
• Overtime, as required

Summer leave: Opportunities for time off during scheduled shifts are very limited. Summer is one of the CBSA's busiest seasons. Travellers and goods arriving at airports, cruise terminals, and international mail processing centres are at a peak. We must ensure our ports of entry are fully staffed to serve the public and keep our border secure. SBSOs play an important role in our operations.

Your pay

SBSOs are paid $17.75 to $38.38 per hour, depending on their current level of study. See Rates of pay for post-secondary school students.

SBSOs do not receive paid leave.

Decide if this job is right for you

We are looking for people who are:

• professional, reliable, client-service oriented and a team player
• able to problem solve in a fast-paced and high responsibility environment
• driven and detailed-oriented
• effective communicators
• in good physical condition
  • you'll need strength, endurance and agility to pass control and defensive tactics training
  • this training is physically strenuous and covers use of force, defense strategies, and control tactics

Apply if you:

• like interacting with the public
• handle challenging people and situations confidently and professionally
• want a hands-on job because a traditional desk job isn't for you
• like working a rotating shift schedule that includes nights and weekends

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible to apply, you must be:

• a full-time student registered at a recognized post-secondary institution (CEGEP, college, university)
  • this includes persons with disabilities considered to have full-time status by their academic institution
• a full-time student during the entire hiring process (school semesters fall 2026 and winter 2027)
• returning to full-time post-secondary school in fall 2027
• at least 18 years old by the time training starts in April 2027

In addition, you must:

• be willing to wear and maintain a uniform as per the CBSA's Uniform Policy and Standard of Appearance
• possess a valid, unrestricted driver's license that allows you to operate a government vehicle (where required)
• attend mandatory 5-week training at the start of your contract. No days off are permitted.

Note: Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents over non-Canadian students who are eligible to work in Canada. Refer to the Directive on Student Employment for more information on the Government of Canada's requirements for student employment.

When to apply

To apply for an SBSO position for Summer 2027 , visit the Federal Student Work Experience Program.

Our hiring process starts one year in advance. This means when the job poster is open, we're hiring SBSOs for the following summer.

Due to the long hiring process, we strongly encourage you to apply as early as possible. Many hiring managers review applications well before the job poster closes.

When applying online, you must cross reference the cities in the job poster with the work locations listed above. Only the locations that are hiring will be listed in the job poster. In addition, only choose locations where you are willing and able to work at your own expense.

Self-declaration

The CBSA is working to create a diverse workforce that represents the public it serves. Therefore, candidates from under-represented employment equity groups will be prioritized in the hiring process.

If you are a member of one or more of the following groups, we encourage you to self-declare when you apply so that your application is prioritized:

• Indigenous Peoples of Canada
• Persons with disabilities
• Visible minorities
• Women

Learn more at Self-declaring for Government of Canada jobs.

Relocation and transportation expenses

If you are hired as an SBSO, you will be fully responsible for any travel, living accommodation, relocation and parking costs associated with the job. Apply only for locations where you are willing and able to work and/or relocate independently, at your own expense. Please carefully assess your financial and personal circumstances before applying.

The hiring process

Given the nature of the job, you will be thoroughly assessed to determine if you are suited to work as an SBSO.

If we contact you about your application, the recruitment process spans 8 to 9 months. This is from the time we contact you to the time you are potentially offered a job. Job offers are sent to candidates by early to mid April.

If considered for a job, you must successfully complete each assessment to move forward in the hiring process:

1. Officer Trainee Entrance Exam (OTEE)

You will have 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete 117 multiple choice questions. The online exam does not require knowledge of the CBSA. It assesses your reasoning skills, writing skills, analytical thinking, and client orientation.

2. Interview

You will be assessed on your ability to deal with difficult situations, effective interactive communication, judgment, and values and ethics.

3. Medical examination

You will complete a medical examination performed by a Health Canada designated physician. The examination evaluates your physical ability to perform the duties and control and defensive tactics training required of an SBSO.

4. Security screening

To obtain a secret security clearance, you must consent to a telephone integrity interview, a credit check, and law enforcement and security database verifications. You must also submit:

• digital fingerprints
• a form that includes information about your:
  • education history
  • employment history
  • immediate relatives
  • character references
  • travel outside of Canada

5. Mandatory training

You will complete up to 5 weeks of online and classroom training that includes the following:

• Customs Act
• Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations
• Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act
• Food, plant and animal legislation
• If required, an 8 day Control and Defensive Tactics (CDT) course which is needed to carry, use, and maintain CBSA issued defensive equipment. SBSOs do not carry a duty firearm.

CDT training involves strenuous physical activity which means you'll need strength, endurance and agility. You must be in good physical condition to complete training and prevent injuries. You will learn use of force and the basics of defense and control tactics.

SBSO training is mandatory and cannot be rescheduled. To work as an SBSO, you must successfully complete all training.

Full-time training takes place from the end of April or early May to June, from Monday to Friday.

After applying

Applications are randomly selected so there is no guarantee you will be contacted. Due to the large number of applications, the CBSA only contacts applicants whose applications are selected for consideration.

After applying, you must regularly check your email, including your junk/spam folder. Emails regarding your job candidacy are time sensitive, as are the responses and information we need from you. Delayed responses will affect your candidacy.

There may be long gaps between email correspondence from the regional recruitment team. This is not an indication of inactivity. The team is processing many applications simultaneously. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

A pool of qualified candidates will be established from this hiring process. Not all applicants will be contacted, interviewed or hired.

Note: If you do not hear from us by December 2026, then you will not be considered for summer 2027 positions. We encourage you to reapply next year if you are still eligible.

Attend a recruitment event

During the next SBSO recruitment campaign, we will be offering information sessions. Our CBSA recruiters will share stories about working on the frontline and what to expect when you are working as an SBSO. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

Register today.