Polygraph Examiner

About CSE

The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is Canada’s agency responsible for foreign signals intelligence, cyber operations and cyber security. Learn more about our mission.

CSE is committed to fostering a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion. This isn’t just an ideal, it’s crucial to our mission. Find out about our workplace culture, including our diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Become part of our team and you’ll understand why CSE is the most important organization you’ve never heard of.

Job summary

CSE is seeking Polygraph Examiners to join its dynamic operational team in the National Capital Region.  

We’re looking for passionate people from a diverse range of backgrounds, who will thrive working in an open-minded environment and value the different perspectives of others.

As a Polygraph Examiner, you’ll play a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive government information within the Government of Canada (GoC). You’ll assess the reliability, loyalty, and trustworthiness of individuals who require or need to maintain their access to protected or classified information as part of their duties and you’ll conduct and interpret the results of full polygraph evaluations . In this role, you’ll write detailed reports to help decision makers determine an individual’s eligibility to hold and maintain a security clearance.  

Your work in this position is essential to maintain the integrity of government operations and protect national security interest.  

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• are detail-oriented;
• are a critical thinker ;
• are an excellent communicator (both verbally and written);
• are solution-oriented;
• are able to apply sound judgement;
• are trustworthy and discreet;
• are collaborative;
• are a good judge of character;
• are self-motivated; and
• have relationship building skills.

Salary range

To find out more about our salary scale, vacation allowances and benefits (health, dental and pension plans, etc.) visit the compensation page on our website.

Area of selection

Open to Canadian citizens.

Location

Ottawa, Ontario. All jobs require full-time onsite presence in one of our two accessible facilities.

Learn more about where we work.

Essential qualifications

In order to be considered, your cover letter must clearly explain how you meet the following education and experience requirements.

Education

You must have:

• A certificate of completion of the formal Instruction in Polygraph Instrumentation and Techniques course offered by the Canadian Association of Police Polygraphists (CAPP) or the American Polygraph Association (APA); and
• One of the following:  
  • Post secondary certificate, diploma or degree in a field related to the position; or  
  • An acceptable combination of education, training, and experience.

Note: The educational program must be recognized in Canada, and you must be able to provide proof of education credentials. Students graduating within the next twelve months are eligible to apply.

Experience

• Experience working with a diverse audience to obtain  information using various methods, such as, but not limited to, conducting interviews, investigations, client-intake interviews, or client needs-analysis meetings.
• Experience conducting polygraph examinations using modern equipment and technologies.
• Experience researching and analyzing diverse information to provide strategic advice.
• Experience drafting detailed and comprehensive written and oral reports.
• Experience working with diverse populations from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds.

Official language requirements

• English essential; or
• Bilingual imperative: CBC/CBC

Competencies

The following technical, behavioural and leadership competencies will be assessed at a later date. You do not need to include information about them in your application.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of Polygraph Practices, Policies and Related Equipment
• Investigation Techniques
• Risk Management
• Information Gathering and Analysis

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability/autonomy
• Cognitive thinking skills
• Interactive communication
• Service

Leadership competencies

• Achieving results
• Change and innovation
• Integrity, respect and awareness

Assets

Assets are “nice-to-have” expertise and skills we’re interested in.  If you do have them, they may be used to identify which team you could best complement, or they may be invoked as a volume management strategy. Please demonstrate on your application if you meet or possess the asset education or asset experience listed below.

Asset experience

• Working in the field of counter terrorism or counterintelligence.
• Working in a domestic intelligence organization.
• Working in a personnel screening environment.
• Being a member in good standing with the Canadian Association of Police Polygraphists (CAPP) or the American Polygraph Association (APA).

Operational requirements

Overtime may be required.

Position may require travel to major cities across Canada, up to approximately five (5) times annually.

How to apply

You may submit your candidacy online by selecting “Apply” at the bottom of this page.

If you cannot apply online or have a disability preventing you from applying online, please inform us by email at careers-carrieres@cse-cst.gc.ca prior to the closing date of this selection process.

Important information

We ask you to not discuss your application with others (including on social media) besides your partner, or close family members - who should also be reminded about the need to be discreet.

Assessments of candidates are conducted in the official language of their choice.

To address CSE’s current representation gaps, priority may be given to persons who self-declare as belonging to the following designated employment equity groups: women; Indigenous peoples, including First Nations who are status, or registered and non-status, or non-registered, Inuit and Métis; persons with disabilities, including people with a mental health condition and neurodivergent people; and persons from racial or ethnic groups.

Please note the Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

CSE offers an assessment process that will accommodate any reasonable measures you require to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Those measures are available to all candidates during our processes. Information you provide will be addressed confidentially.

All communications with CSE relating to this process, including email messages and telephone conversations, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

The intent of this process is to fill vacant positions at CSE. The process may also be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates which could be used to staff similar or identical positions with various tenures.

Due to the nature of CSE’s mandate certain roles may expose employees to content that is difficult to process. Mental health is a priority at CSE and if any personnel feel they require assistance to preserve their mental wellbeing, they have access to services, tools and other resources to help them in both their personal and professional lives.

We thank you for your interest in CSE. However, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.