Duties
Primary workers/kimisinaw are the first line of contact for women offenders and play a vital role within women's facilities. Their role is dual in nature as they perform security and case management-related duties. Not only do they maintain the safety and security of the institution, through the application of strong dynamic and static security but they also assist women offenders in achieving the objectives of their correctional plan; this in turn helps the women successfully reintegrate into the community.
They work as part of an interdisciplinary team composed of psychologists, behavioural counsellors, parole officers, and other interventionists. They contribute to the development of each woman offender's correctional plan and encourage the women to participate in reintegration and healing programs.
As a primary worker/kimisinaw, you can work at:
Grand Valley Institution for Women in Kitchener, ON
Joliette Institution in Joliette, QC
Nova Institution for Women in Truro, NS
Edmonton Institution for Women in Edmonton, AB
Fraser Valley Institution in Abbotsford, BC
Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge in Maple Creek, SK
For more information, refer to the Institutional profiles link at the bottom of the page.
Institutions operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Primary workers/kimisinaw must be able to work shifts, flexible hours, weekends and statutory holidays. They may need to work overtime.
The following 5 principles of Creating Choices form the foundation of CSC's correctional approach for women: empowerment, meaningful and responsible choices, respect and dignity, supportive environment, and shared responsibility.
As a primary worker/kimisinaw, you will:
- ️manage an offender caseload, including preparing case management documents and reports
- ️assist offenders with self-management and encourage pro-social behaviour by being a positive role model
- ️conduct escorts
- ️conduct routine rounds and offender counts
- ️search cells, offenders, visitors, vehicles, living units and surrounding areas
- ️brief visitors, volunteers and other criminal justice professionals who enter the institution
To learn more about CSC, the role of Primary Workers/Kimisinaw, and women’s corrections, refer to the links at the bottom of this page.
Work environment
We believe that our employees are the cornerstone of achieving our goals. This is why we offer them a positive and inclusive work environment that is worthy of their dedication and professionalism. We promote career advancement by providing opportunities to develop and acquire new skills and competencies. We value diversity as well as the use of both official languages (English and French).
With more than 20,000 employees, CSC plays a key role in contributing to public safety, working around the clock at our 43 correctional institutions, 91 parole offices and 14 community correctional centres across Canada. Join us to help change lives and protect Canadians!
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
CSC remains committed to developing and maintaining a strong, inclusive, and diverse workforce that not only reflects the Canadian population, but also the populations we serve. We celebrate diversity at CSC! We are making targeted efforts to recruit and retain diverse employees. In fact, CSC is the largest employer of Indigenous peoples in the core public administration. We believe that our ability to deliver accessible and inclusive services is realized when we recognize and retain the most diverse range of thoughts, experiences, and skills. We work hard to create an environment where all perspectives and experiences are valued. We are committed to helping diverse talent thrive.
We encourage women, Indigenous peoples (Aboriginal peoples), persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups to and to self-declare themselves as part of one or more of the Employment Equity groups as selection may be limited to candidates belonging to one or more of these groups.
Intent of the process
This is an ongoing inventory, the applications received will be periodically accessed and selected applicants will be contacted for further assessment.
Positions to be filled: Number to be determined
Important messages
When you to this selection process, you are not ing for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.
If you previously participated in a Primary Worker/Kimisinaw selection process, your previous results may be transferable. This will be reviewed and confirmed during the assessment stage of the selection process. Please refer to your result letter as waiting periods for assessment may .
If you have also applied or are thinking of ing for Correctional Officer I and/or Correctional Officer II - Healing Lodges, please note that some conditions of employment, process such as medical evaluation, security clearance and psychological assessment are the same for all three selection processes; as such, the results and related waiting periods also to those selection processes.
For this selection process, the CSC will communicate with you by email. You must provide a valid email address to which you wish to receive communication regarding this staffing process. You must ensure that you check your email account including spam, promotion or other folders regularly as there may be a deadline for responses. If you respond past the deadline, you risk being removed from the selection process. Please notify us of any updates to your contact information as required.
Time-sensitive emails related to this selection process will be sent by email. We encourage you to add “
[email protected]” and "
[email protected]" to your safe sender list.
CORRECTIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM (CTP)
Successful candidates may be invited to the Correctional Training Program (CTP). This program is divided into 3 stages:
1️⃣Stage 1 is an online program, accessible via an external website, consisting of approximately 80 hours of learning within a 4-week period.
2️⃣Stage 2 is an online program of about 40 hours of learning done in 3 to 4 weeks. This stage encompasses learning activities that prepare the recruits to effectively engage in the practical application and skill development components of Stage 3. Candidates must complete these learning activities virtually via the external website before attending the in-class portion at one of the CTP training locations.
3️⃣Stage 3 is delivered at one of the designated training locations (primarily Kingston, ON and Summerside, PEI) and is approximately 14 weeks in duration.
During Stage 3 of the CTP, recruits receive an allowance* of $400/week, up to a maximum of $5,600 for 14 weeks. This allowance, paid bi-weekly, is in addition to the meals and lodging provided to recruits during stage 3. For more information, please visit Correctional officer careers at Correctional Service Canada - Canada.ca.
- Individuals who receive a salary as a public servant are not eligible.
Indigenous candidates may be eligible for additional funding at CTP Stage 3 through an Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ISET) stakeholder. For more information on how to access training support dollars, refer to the link at the bottom of this page.
Candidates who are permanent residents will be required to provide proof of permanent resident card.
Applicants are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language (English/French) of their choice.
Candidates will be required to pay for their own travel expenses when attending all required assessments.
A top down selection and/or random selection may be applied at any stage of the selection process.
Please note that candidates’ overall conduct and communications, including email correspondence with CSC or third-party organizations, throughout the entire selection process may be used in the assessment process.
✅Reliability and Security: Enhanced Reliability Status
✅CORRECTIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM (CTP)
The candidate must successfully complete the CSC Correctional Training Program (CTP).*
- Refer to Correctional officer careers at Correctional Service Canada - Canada.ca link at the bottom.
✅DRIVER'S LICENSE
Prior to appointment, candidate must possess a valid unrestricted* driver's licence that conforms to provincial or territorial requirements. As a condition of employment, candidate must maintain valid unrestricted driver's licence throughout employment.
- Restrictions include graduated/probationary licensing programs where the driver requires a supervising passenger, number of passengers restriction, time of day restrictions, highway restrictions, etc. Other restrictions may include, but are not limited to, medical restrictions and ignition control equipment restrictions.
For the province of Quebec: Possess a valid Class 4A driver’s license (Emergency Vehicle) granted by the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ).
✅MEDICAL
The candidate must meet the medical requirements of Health Canada in accordance with Treasury Board Guidelines.
Medical Evaluation Information:
A physician designated by Health Canada evaluates your physical ability to perform the duties of a correctional officer. The designated physician’s decision determines if you are able to perform the physical duties of a correctional officer at a specific moment in time. The designated physician’s decision is final, and results are valid for 1 year. Candidates who fail the medical assessment may re to the selection process at any time and will undergo a new medical assessment after the 1 year validity period has expired, unless Health Canada has specified a different validity period.
This Category III assessment includes:
- a vision test: corrected vision 6/9 in better eye, 6/15 in other eye (6/9 and 6/15 are metric measurements (meters) and are equivalent to 20/30 and 20/50 in feet).
- a hearing test: average loss in better ear is no more than 25-decibel loss at a range between 500 and 3,000 hertz.
- an evaluation of your physical ability to perform the duties of a correctional officer or primary worker/kimisinaw (you must be fit to use a respirator such as a gas mask or self-contained breathing apparatus).
- a review of your current and past medical and psychological conditions and their impact on your ability to perform essential operational duties (you may carry a firearm and be required to use deadly force as part of your duties).
✅PSYCHOLOGICAL
The candidate must also meet the psychological requirements determined by Correctional Service of Canada.
Applied / assessed at a later date
EDUCATION
A secondary school diploma (high school), or a satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission (PSC) test* approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma; or successful completion of a provincially/territorially approved secondary school equivalency test.
- A federal government equivalency test arranged by CSC.
Learn more about degree equivalency.
✅OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION
The candidate must obtain and maintain a valid Standard First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 'Level C' with automated external defibrillator (AED) certificate from a qualified provider approved by any province/territory in Canada, and in accordance with Part XVI of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
✅ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES
Ability to acquire and analyse information, take appropriate action and make recommendations
Ability to motivate, positively influence, and empower offenders in women’s institutions to make meaningful and responsible choices
Demonstrating integrity and respect, including the CSC Values
Working effectively with others
Showing initiative and being action oriented
Effective communication skills
Adaptability
May be applied / assessed at a later date
EDUCATION
Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a degree or a diploma.
Learn more about degree equivalency.
EXPERIENCE
Recent and extensive experience in performing correctional operational duties in a Correctional Service of Canada institutional environment.
Experience working in a correctional, policing, security, military, or emergency response environment.
Experience working with people in a multi-cultural environment, including Indigenous communities or organizations.
Experience working with vulnerable people in a work or volunteer environment (i.e. homeless, long-term care, people in conflict with the law).
Knowledge of the broader historical factors that have contributed to the over-representation of Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system, as well as the reconciliation process.
ABILITY
Ability to communicate orally and/or in writing in a language other than English or French that is reflective of the offender population.
