Types of jobs

Explore the types of jobs in Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) that match your skills and ambitions. Information on current employment opportunities are accessible only on the Government of Canada network.

Special Operations Assaulters

Special Operations Assaulters are personnel of the Regular Force who are directly employed in the tactical aspects of special operations and other high-value tasks.

What they do

• operate in different types of missions such as:
  • counter-terrorism
  • hostage rescue
  • special operations patrols
  • special reconnaissance and surveillance
• work effectively in high-stress environments

Career progression

Entry-level Assaulters

• are employed as assault detachment members
• have high potential for deployment
• receive mentorship from senior assaulters
• develop new skills with intense training and courses
• maintain a high level of physical fitness and readiness

Unit: Joint Task Force 2 (JTF 2)

Special Operation Coxswains

Coxswains are selected from Regular Force occupations to fulfill JTF 2 maritime requirements. 

What they do

• operate the units’ boats in open ocean environments during maritime counter-terrorism and special operation
• work under adverse conditions and minimal supervision
• deliver tactical elements to a vessel of interest

Career progression

Entry-level Coxswains

• are employed as boat crewmembers
• constantly improve their ability to manoeuvre and maintain high-speed boats
• work with domestic and allied security partners in maritime counter-terrorism and special operations
• attend intense Special Operations Forces courses
• maintain a high level of physical fitness

Unit: Joint Task Force 2 (JTF 2)

CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) Operators

CBRN Operators are specialists directly employed in tactical pre-planned and response operations. They are recruited from all elements of the Canadian Armed Forces.

What they do

• provide a rapid response of detecting, identifying and mitigating CBRN hazards
• deal with specialized equipment
• sustain a high level of readiness through training and courses
• deploy with short notice for domestic and international incidents

Career progression

• CBRN Operators have opportunities to work with other government agencies and special operations forces allies
• CBRN Operators develop new capabilities to deal with new CBRN threats

Unit: Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit (CJIRU)

Special Forces Operators

Special Forces Operators are SOF generalists, who pursue mastery of Special Warfare, Special Reconnaissance and Direct Action. They are able to conduct and enable a wide variety of special operations tasks at home and abroad.

What they do

• Operate in different types of missions such as:
  • Direct Action
  • Strategic Reconnaissance
  • Special Warfare
  • Military Assistance

Career progression

The SF Operator 00369 MOSID is open to both Regular and Reserve Force NCMs through the occupation transfer process.

Officers can apply to be SF Operator Officers; however, they are not offered the MOSID.

Entry-level SF Operators

• are employed as SF detachment members
• have high potential for deployment
• receive mentorship from senior SF Operators
• develop new skills with intense training and courses
• maintain a high level of physical fitness and readiness

Unit: Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR)

Pilots

What they do

• conduct aerial delivery of SOF personnel during missions
• fly the most innovative and high-tech aircraft in the world
• conduct air-assault operations, surveillance and reconnaissance
• provide fire support and casualty evacuation missions

Career progression

• high potential for deployment
• maintain a high level of readiness and physical fitness

Unit: 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (SOAS)

Flight Engineers

What they do

• provide situational awareness, maintenance support, installation of mission kits, and the operation of sensors and aerial weapons
• ensure the safety of operators and specialists during tactical insertion and extraction by helicopter

Career progression

• high potential for deployment
• maintain a high level of readiness and physical fitness

Unit: 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (SOAS)

Special Operation Aviation (SOA) Crewman

What they do

• operate the CH-146 on-board weapons systems and sensors
• assist with dispatching Operators as a Special Operations Rappel Master
• provide tactical expertise for training, fieldcraft and personal weapons handling

Career progression

• Special Operation Aviation Crewmen have high potential for deployment
• Special Operation Aviation Crewmen maintain a high level of readiness and physical fitness

Unit: 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (SOAS)

Supporters and Specialists

Supporters and Specialists are selected from the Regular and Reserve Forces to fulfill all units’ requirements.

What they do

• provide tactical and operational support to all CANSOFCOM units
• support daily operations and deployments
• Supporter occupations: Clerks, Cooks, Technicians
• Specialist occupations: Medical Technicians, Military Police, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Army Communication and Information Systems Specialist (ACISS)

Career progression

Supporters:

• have CANSOFCOM monitor career

Supervisors:

• conduct open dialogue with trade advisors, ensuring entry into career courses

Unit: All