Signals Officer

Opportunity

Looking for a one-of-kind challenge? Then this is the career for you! As a Signals Officer, you will be leading teams with the goal of delivering and maintaining critical communications networks for commanders at all levels. The primary focus is on providing stable communications and networks to the battlefield. The Canadian Army also provides opportunities to be employed in a research and development role. You will have the opportunity to learn all aspects of information systems from designing to implementing to managing. If you are someone who enjoys solving problems, this is your perfect opportunity!

Overview

Signals Officers deliver telecommunications solutions and services to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

A Signals Officer is responsible for managing communication capabilities and for the personnel who maintain and operate those capabilities. There are opportunities to be employed in policy development, project management, and network operation. As a Signals Officer, you may work with communication capabilities that include:

• Purpose-designed, computer-based information systems that assist with battlefield command and control, reconnaissance and surveillance, and target acquisition

• The full spectrum of radio systems from short range to satellite radios

• Electronic warfare capabilities

• Cryptographic and communications security policy development and implementation

To be eligible to apply to the CAF, you must:

• Be a Canadian citizen

• Be at least 18 years old (17 years old with parental consent), except:

• For the Paid Education programs—you may be 16 years old (with parental consent)

• For the Primary Reserves—you may be 16 years old (with parental consent) and must be enrolled as a full-time student

• Meet the education requirements for the job

Required Education

To become a Signals Officer, a University degree is required. As such, the applicant must be enrolled in a program working towards a degree or the applicant must be accepted by an academic institution without condition in an acceptable course pattern to be considered for subsidized education. The university degree must be within one of the hard science programs, such as Computer Engineering, Engineering in general, Bachelor of Computer science or other hard science degree.

Basic Military Officer Qualification

All new recruits enter Basic Military Qualification at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This is your basic training where you learn basic soldier skills and start your lifelong learning of leadership. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of basic training. Basic training is provided in English or French and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training.

Following basic officer training, official second language training may be offered to you. Training could take from two to nine months to complete depending on your ability in your second language.

Signals Officers Training

Signals Officers attend the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics (CFSCE) in Kingston, Ontario. During this period, you will learn the skills and knowledge required to supervise and lead a signal Troop in tactical operations, and apply and build on the skills and knowledge gained during basic training. Emphasis is placed on leadership, administration, and more advanced theory of communications capabilities and its application.

Entry Plans

Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP)

Due to the requirement of a CAF Officer to have a university degree, the CAF will pay successful recruits to complete a bachelor degree program in the Royal Military College System. Recruits will receive full-time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full pay in exchange for working in the CAF for a period of time. Typically, candidates enter the Canadian Military College System as an Officer Cadet where they study subjects relevant to both their military and academic career. In rare instances, based on the needs of the CAF, candidates may be approved to attend another Canadian University. A determination will be made on a case by case basis. If you are applying for this program, you must apply to the CAF and it is recommended to apply to other Canadian universities of your choice should you not be accepted for ROTP.

Direct Entry

If you already have a university degree, the CAF will decide if your academic program matches the criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following basic training. Basic training and military officer qualification training are required before being assigned.

Join the CAF

To learn more about becoming a Signals Officer, visit www.forces.ca, talk to a recruiter at a centre nearest you or call 1-800-856-8488.

Please note that this position is recruiting across Canada, not limited to the listed Province.

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Job Types: Full-time, Part-time