Fisheries and Oceans Canada 

Fishery Officer Initial Training Program 2025-2026

Selection Process Number: 25-DFO-NCR-EA-647721

Job Title: Fishery Officer

Tenure: Indeterminate

Location: Various locations in Canada upon successful completion of training

Classifications and Rates of Pay (Collective Agreement): 

• Cadets (Classroom training 19 weeks) (*$350/week, less deductions) 
• GT-02: Fishery Officer Trainee Level 1 (Field Training approximately 18 months**) ($59,518 – $67,276)
• GT-03: Fishery Officer Trainee Level 2 (Field Training approximately 12 months**) ($66,559 - $75,427)
• GT-04: Fishery Officer ($74,995 - $85,266)

* Allowance under review

** Training period under review 

Note: Fishery Officers receive an annual Fishery Officer allowance of $6,500 and a First Aid allowance of $300 in addition to their basic salary.  

Closing date:  April 01, 2026 02:59 EDT

Become a Fishery Officer

Training and Career Insights:

News Highlights:

Is this a Career for Me? 

• Before you apply, we invite you to complete this self-assessment questionnaire.

Information about the Fishery Officer Initial Training Program

Recruitment Process:

• When applying, candidates must select the locations they are willing to be posted to
• Can take up to 12 months to complete all steps
• Successful candidates are initially recruited as Cadets as part of Fishery Officer Initial Training

Initial Classroom Training:

• Three annual troops (Starting in January, February, August) with up to 24 cadets each
• 19-week classroom program at the Atlantic Police Academy in Summerside, Prince Edward Island

Subsequent Field Training:

• Following classroom training, cadets are hired at a GT-02 Indeterminate Position and progress to the GT-04 level contingent upon successful classroom and field training. 
• 30 months in length (under review)

 Total Duration:

• Approximately 34 months (under review) in total (training period currently under revision) through the departmental Fishery Officer Career Progression Program

Important Information

Who can apply?

• Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents living abroad
• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to apply
• Applicants must have successfully completed a secondary school diploma (high school diploma) or an acceptable combination* of education, training and/or experience
  *The manager may consider a combination of education, training, and/or experience in a related field as an alternative to the secondary school diploma.  

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, except for positions located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit must be appointed first.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is committed to protecting Canada's aquatic ecosystems, managing sustainable fisheries, preserving marine habitats, promoting marine safety, and advancing reconciliation and international collaboration. As a Public Service employer, we strive to foster an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce, recognizing the unique value that a representative team brings to our organization. Our commitment includes removing systemic barriers that limit access to employment opportunities for candidates from employment equity designated groups, starting with the hiring process.  

Candidates who self-declare as belonging to an employment equity group may be given priority in assessment and appointment. As a national program with distinct regional and operational requirements, decisions regarding the assessment and appointment of Fishery Officers will be made intentionally, considering regional needs and organizational priorities to build a more representative workforce.  

Qualified in a previous Fishery Officer Trainee Recruitment Process?

Contact Information:

For any questions relating to becoming a Fishery Officer or the Fishery Offier Initial Training Program, please contact us at: DFO.NATCPFOTrainee-APstagiereCPNAT.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

For any questions or general inquiries about the recruitment process, please contact us at DFO.TalentRecruitment-RecrutementdeTalent.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.  

How to Apply

Applications will only be accepted online through VidCruiter. However, an accommodation request can be made at any time, if you require support with your application. Requests for accommodations will be addressed confidentially and, on an individual, case-by-case basis. If you have an accommodation request, please contact us as soon as possible. 

Candidates located in Nunavut only

If you have a question, or, if you are unable to submit an application online, it can either be emailed to or dropped off in-person at the Conservation and Protection Office:

630 Mivvik Street
Iqaluit, NU
X0A 0H0

To get started with your application, please click the "Apply Now" button below, then follow the simple steps on the next page to sign in or create an account using your personal email address.