Border Services Officer

Border services officers (BSO) protect Canadian society, the environment and industry. They do this by preventing the illegal importation of items (for example, controlled substances, guns, hate literature) and guarding against the introduction of human, animal and plant diseases into our society.

In the course of enforcing laws relating to customs and excise, BSO inspect goods imported for either personal or commercial use, and deal directly with the travelling public at airports, seaports and highway border points. As they may be the first designated immigration officials newcomers meet, they must not only enforce Canadian laws and regulations but act as goodwill ambassadors as well.

In general, BSO:

• examine documents and interview travellers and importers
• detain people who may pose a threat to Canada
• deny entry to people who are inadmissible to Canada (for example, those involved in terrorism, organized crime, war crimes or crimes against humanity)
• examine personal and commercial shipments, monitor the movement of goods and intercept illegal goods entering or leaving the country
• use established rules to determine taxable value and applicable duty and sales tax rates on imported goods, and ensure correct duties and taxes are collected 
• protect food safety and the environment by stopping prohibited or hazardous products arriving at air, land or sea ports
• conduct investigations and enforce customs regulations
• explain the laws they enforce to members of the public
• add information to a computerized information database.

Border services officers (BSO) work at highway and rail border crossings, postal plants, airports, seaports and inland offices. Shift work is required because ports of entry generally operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Overtime and travel are sometimes required. Some offices are located in isolated areas. BSO should be prepared to accept a posting anywhere in Canada.

Border services officers need to possess:

• interested in law enforcement
• confidence
• physical fitness
• good oral and written communication skills
• good decision-making skills
• ability to deal effectively with the public.

They should enjoy having clear rules and organized methods for their work, analyzing information to determine admissibility of goods, and handling goods and baggage.

Border services officers (BSO) are employed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Experienced BSO may compete for positions in customs supervision, management, administration, investigations, intelligence, detector dog services, compliance verification - trade, client services - trade, program services or international operations.

BSO are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 1228: Immigration, Employment Insurance and Revenue Officers. In Alberta, 95% of people employed in this classification work in the Public Administration (PDF) industry.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Public Administration industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Canada Border Services Agency website, become a CBSA officer: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.