The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is looking to hire many new candidates to fill positions across the country, including Prince Rupert.
In a job posting published on their website earlier in March, the CCG said it is accepting applications for bases in Prince Rupert and Victoria in British Columbia, and also several in eastern Canada.
In particular, the Coast Guard has job openings in Prince Rupert for a Senior Response Officer, Inventory: Marine Communications and Traffic Services Trainee and Response Officer/Specialist, among other generic postings.
Several media reports say the posting is part of a recruitment drive by the CCG to fill up to 500 positions across the country.
While CCG spokesperson David Heap wouldn’t put a specific number on it — or call it a recruitment blitz — he did say the organization is increasing hiring efforts and attempting to recruit more people this year.
“Due to new ships starting to come online, announcements of new search and rescue stations, the ocean protection plan which will increase activities we’re involved in, we are starting to think about how to get the message out,” Heap said.
Attrition and retirement are also contributing factors to the hiring spree, which is aimed at a wide variety of different skill sets.
In regards to Prince Rupert, Heap said more will be known in the future depending on a few different things, but the CCG is looking for people to get involved with the search and rescue team here, as well as the active base in Seal Cove, and more people for the environmental response team.
“All is alive and well in Prince Rupert and more jobs will come,” Heap said.
If candidates need any incentive, he said, it should be that the Canadian Coast Guard is in the agency of saving lives and protecting Canada’s vast coasts.
In November, the federal government announced a $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, which is aimed at all aspects of marine safety, including a better capability to respond to vessels in distress on the West Coast.
At the announcement, Prime Minister Trudeau was evasive when asked about the needs of the marine coast guard base in Prince Rupert, which is preparing for more vessel traffic due to the expansion of the Port of Prince Rupert.
The job posting can be seen at: https://emploisfp-psjobs.cfp-psc.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/applicant/page1800?toggleLanguage=en&poster=1016490.