Applying with Level ii Security Clearance

[MasonScott]

Hello all.

I am hoping to get some advice on the trades that I should consider given my background.

• I currently hold level ii security clearence from my previous job.
• I have a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in computer science.
• I have worked for about two year as a data science with one year in a security sensitive branch of government.
• I'm phycially active, doing mostly long distance running.
• I would love to work as in a capacity similar to a data scientist, software developer, or tech-related defense researcher
• I'm not too keen on working in a capacity similar to systems administration or IT support

Thank you to anybody that responds to or reads this! All advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[PuckChaser]

• I have worked for about two year as a data science with one year in a security sensitive branch of government.
• I would love to work as in a capacity similar to a data scientist, software developer, or tech-related defense researcher
• I'm not too keen on working in a capacity similar to systems administration or IT support

Data Science/Software Developer/Researcher does not really have a trade in the CAF, nor are there very many positions that you'd be able to build a career on that path. If that's where your heart lies, find a civilian job doing data science and join as a Reservist to serve in the CAF in whatever trade sounds interesting to you on your weekends.

If you want to work full time, you're going to have to broaden your willingness to work outside data science. Sig O or CELE Officer line right up with your degrees and do have a nexus into project management.

 

[MasonScott]

Thank you! I spoke to a recruiter about Sig officer/operator and the work did not sound very relevent to my experience but I wasn't sure if it was because it was far from his trade. I can't really say if I'll be willing to build a career in it as I don't have any experience with that kind of work. Your advice to join the reserves makes sense and would give me a chance to try it out.

That being said, I was hoping to find full time work with the CAF as its been very hard to find work as a civilian.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[PuckChaser]

Thank you! I spoke to a recruiter about Sig officer/operator and the work did not sound very relevent to my experience but I wasn't sure if it was because it was far from his trade. I can't really say if I'll be willing to build a career in it as I don't have any experience with that kind of work. Your advice to join the reserves makes sense and would give me a chance to try it out.

That being said, I was hoping to find full time work with the CAF as its been very hard to find work as a civilian.

Thanks for the advice!

Unfortunately the CAF is about 10 years behind the times and we'll take another 15 years to catch up on the uniformed side as to what data science can bring to decision makers. If you really want to only work in Data Science, you'd have to see if a public service position opens up with DND. Uniformed data scientists are few and far between.

The good news is if you go the PRes route, typically you're going to be working in data science in some of the major urban centers and have a large number of units/trades to pick from.

Since you already have a degree, you'd be a DEO officer so you could even serve in the Regular Force for 5-6 years (each trade is different) and release with some excellent leadership and life experience to pad your resume. I do love how the recruiter is pushing an incredibly understaffed trade like Sig Op, but your education would be better put to use as a Sig O or CELE.

 

[brihard]

Consider Communications Security Establishment. It’s not CAF, but it is DND, and sounds much more up your alley. Their contribution to national and international security is very easy to underestimate, most Canadians don’t really have a grasp of that world or the very impressive work they do.

 

[MasonScott]

The good news is if you go the PRes route, typically you're going to be working in data science in some of the major urban centers and have a large number of units/trades to pick from.

Sorry is PRes primary reserves?

Since you already have a degree, you'd be a DEO officer so you could even serve in the Regular Force for 5-6 years (each trade is different) and release with some excellent leadership and life experience to pad your resume. I do love how the recruiter is pushing an incredibly understaffed trade like Sig Op, but your education would be better put to use as a Sig O or CELE.

Yes actually the recruiter recommended Sig O as well but the reserves unit in my city only had opening for Sig Op.

Additionally, while I would prefer to work in the field that I already have expertise in, at this point I am considering working fast food to pay the bills so working outside my field in the reserves is preferable to that.

 

[MasonScott]

Consider Communications Security Establishment. It’s not CAF, but it is DND, and sounds much more up your alley. Their contribution to national and international security is very easy to underestimate, most Canadians don’t really have a grasp of that world or the very impressive work they do.

Thanks!

 

[AmmoTech90]

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) employs data scientists. MSc is usually the minimum for a Defence Scientist.

Careers at Defence Research and Development Canada - Canada.ca

Join Our Team. Develop Science to Defend Canada. Make An Impact. Your efforts at Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) will contribute to innovations that increase the safety and effectiveness of the CAF as well as the defence, public safety and security of Canada and its international...

www.canada.ca

Also, be prepared to have your security clearance redone- coordination between departments is not the GoC's strong suite.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) employs data scientists. MSc is usually the minimum for a Defence Scientist.

Careers at Defence Research and Development Canada - Canada.ca

Join Our Team. Develop Science to Defend Canada. Make An Impact. Your efforts at Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) will contribute to innovations that increase the safety and effectiveness of the CAF as well as the defence, public safety and security of Canada and its international...

www.canada.ca

Also, be prepared to have your security clearance redone- coordination between departments is not the GoC's strong suite.

It is not exactly that bad.

DND can bring your clearance over from another department. It takes days/weeks, not months/years. The USSO at the Recruiting Centre, if they are switched on, can press the right buttons instead of your file ending up in an months long queue in Ottawa.

 

[MasonScott]

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) employs data scientists. MSc is usually the minimum for a Defence Scientist.

Careers at Defence Research and Development Canada - Canada.ca

Join Our Team. Develop Science to Defend Canada. Make An Impact. Your efforts at Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) will contribute to innovations that increase the safety and effectiveness of the CAF as well as the defence, public safety and security of Canada and its international...

www.canada.ca

Also, be prepared to have your security clearance redone- coordination between departments is not the GoC's strong suite.

Thanks I've been keeping my eye on positions at DRDC. Unfortunately, haven't seen any repelevent positions open up yet

 

[MasonScott]

It is not exactly that bad.

DND can bring your clearance over from another department. It takes days/weeks, not months/years. The USSO at the Recruiting Centre, if they are switched on, can press the right buttons instead of your file ending up in an months long queue in Ottawa.

That's good to know. Is there a way I can prompt them to do this?

 

[SeaKingTacco]

That's good to know. Is there a way I can prompt them to do this?

When it gets to the part of the processing at the recruiting centre where they start talking about your security clearance application, make sure that they know you have a level 2; what federal department it is with; what your PRI and your birthday are.

 

[MasonScott]

When it gets to the part of the processing at the recruiting centre where they start talking about your security clearance application, make sure that they know you have a level 2; what federal department it is with; what your PRI and your birthday are.

Thank you so much. That is super helpful