Security Clearance (for jobs)

From Immipedia

Security Clearance (for jobs)

Four levels of personnel screening exist:
Reliability Status (RS)
Confidential (Level 1)
Secret (Level 2)
Top Secret (Level 3)

Security screening Individuals who need to have RS because of their job or access to federal government assets will be required to sign the Personnel Screening, Consent and Authorization Form (TBS/SCT 330-23e). Reliability Status (RS) - formerly known as enhanced reliability status (ERS) Reliability checks are done by verifying personal data, criminal records check, educational, and professional qualifications, data on previous employment and references. As well, a fingerprint check, and a credit check may be required. This level of clearance will grant the right to access designated documents with markings of Protected A, B & C information/assets on a need-to-know basis. It is mandatory for individuals when the duties or tasks of a position or contract necessitate access to protected information and assets, regardless of the duration of an assignment.

Security assessment/clearances
Individuals who require access to more sensitive information (or access to sensitive federal government sites and/or assets) because of their job will be required to sign the Security Clearance Form (TBS/SCT 330-60e).
There are three basic levels of clearance:

Confidential (Level 1)
In addition to the RS checks, foreign employments, immediate relatives, and marriages/common-law relationships must be declared and be screened. This level of clearance will grant the right to access designated and classified information up to Confidential level on a need-to-know basis. Department Heads have the discretion to allow for an individual to access Secret level information without higher level clearance on a case-to-case basis.

Secret (Level 2)
Same as Confidential.
This level of clearance will grant the right to access designated and classified information up to Secret level on a need-to-know basis. Department Heads have the discretion to allow for an individual to access Top Secret-level information without higher-level clearance on a case-to-case basis.

Top Secret (Level 3)
In addition to the checks at the Secret level, foreign travels, assets, and character references must be given. Field check will also be conducted prior to granting the clearance. This level of clearance will grant the right to access all designated and classified information on a need-to-know basis.Obviously, if you need clearance for a private company, the checks may differ.

Can I apply for clearance?
For government work, job agencies are the usual place to get clearance (they will do it for you if you are likely to get a job and meet the requirements). You cannot apply for clearance yourself.

In most cases the following applies. But in some cases the terms are varied to allow certain applicants a clearance.

ER status
Normally requires the person to have resided in Canada for 5 years (living and working).
Expires after 10 years.
Can take 2 days to 4 weeks avg - fingerprints 8 - 18 weeks - face to face interviews 4 weeks - Out of country checks 50+ weeks.

Confidential and Secret
Normally requires the person to have resided in Canada for 10 years (living and working).
Expires after 10 years.
1 to 6 months avg - fingerprints 8 - 18 weeks - face to face interviews 4 weeks - Out of country checks 50+ weeks.

Top Secret
Normally requires the person to have resided in Canada for 10 years (living and working).
Expires after 5 years.
Up to 2 years - very intrusive, neighbours, friends and associates can all be interviewed.

Security clearances / checks are a chicken and egg situation, if you do not meet the pre-conditions they can be hard to gain.

A permanent resident can work in jobs that do not require clearance, security mandated jobs are a different matter.
If you have a specialised skill, agencies are likely to apply for your clearance, if you are extremely specialised there are other routes available to the government.
e.g if you have skill that CSIS or maybe DFAIT needs, they can obviously request a modification of the rules to enable your placement.