Garrison Personnel Service Office

The Personnel Service Office offers a variety of Behavioural Science Service to aid in the overall effectiveness throughout Land Force Western Area (LFWA)/Joint Task Force West (JTFW) and Joint Task Force North (JTFN). Services offered include:

• Personnel Selection
• SCAN Transition Services
• Educational Services
• Organizational Consulting Research

Personnel Selection

1. In service Occupation transfers: Members are provided with the opportunity to apply for a change of occupation through various programs, such as:
   • Annual Voluntary Occupational Transfer Program (AVOTP)
   • Land Occupational Transfer Program (LOTP)
   • Special Voluntary Occupation Transfer Program (SVOTP – Infantry only)
   • Continuing Occupational Transfer Program (COTP)
   • Subsidized Education Programs (NCM-SEP/NTTP)
   • Officer Voluntary Occupation Transfer Program (OVOTP)
2. In-Service Officer Production Commissioning Programs: Motivated members who have displayed leadership potential and academic ability may compete for several commissioning programs, such as:
   • University Training Plan for Non-Commissioned Members (UTPNCM)
   • Special Commissioning Plan (SCP)
   • Commissioning From The Ranks Plan (CFRP)
   • Continuing Education Officer Training Plan (CEOTP – open only if there are distressed officer occupations)
3. Special Employment: Within the CF there are several new and challenging employment opportunities that involve specialized training and employment opportunities, such as:
   • Joint Task Force 2 (JTF 2)
   • Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR)
   • Conduct After Capture Instructors (CACI)
   • Flight Steward/Attendant Employment
   • Court Reporter
4. Career counselling: Before making career transition, it is highly recommended to contact the Base Personnel Selection Office and set up a counselling session. Depending upon your professional goals, key information will be discussed, such as:
   • Eligibility/competitiveness counselling for any of the in-service programs
   • Canadian Forces Aptitude Test (CFAT) counselling
   • Occupation-specific career information
   • Administrative Review/Medical Employment Limitations (AR/MEL)
   • Reassignment Procedures - voluntary and compulsory
   • Other career action in support of various career boards and other personnel management activities
   • Screening interview for out-of-country service
   • JPSU in-clearances / VRPSM (Vocational Rehabilitation) plan development

SCAN Transition Services

Recognizing the commitment of Canadian Forces members and the extraordinary demands and challenges of the military lifestyle, the Base Personnel Selection Office makes career transition services available through Second Career Assistance Network (SCAN) to assist with your transition to civilian life. The BPSO is responsible for ensuring that all LFWA/JTFN personnel are aware of, and have access to, these resources/professional services.

These SCAN services include, but are not limited to:

• SCAN Transition Seminars and Medical Information Seminars
• Long-Term Planning Workshops/Briefings
• Career Exploration Workshops and Assessment Tools
• Career Transition Workshops (e.g., résumés, job search methods, interviewing skills, skills assessment, etc.)
• Individual Assistance, if needed
• Career Counselling on a one-one basis
• Access to a Multi-Media Resource centre

The standard 2-day SCAN Transition Seminar consists of general information aimed at providing members with a snapshot of current procedures, services, and benefits they may receive during their transition from the military to civilian life. Speakers from across the country come to deliver pertinent information for members transitioning to civilian life.

The Medical Information Seminar focuses on providing information related to medical support services and other medical related issues. This 1-day seminar is especially beneficial to members being medically released, members on a temporary or permanent medical category, and to senior leaders who are interested in learning more about medical support procedures and initiatives.

Registration for the above services must be done through the member’s Unit Training Coordinator, as participation in above seminars/workshops are considered to be a place of duty.

Educational Reimbursement

There are several reimbursement programs that are designed to assist members with achieving their educational goals:

1. Educational Reimbursement - Regular Force
   • Financial reimbursement for RegF Officers and NCMs who, through part-time study, wish to upgrade their educational or professional qualifications in the interest of the CF.
2. Education Reimbursement - Primary Reserve
   • Members of the Primary Reserve who are pursuing a degree or diploma can request reimbursement of up to 50% of mandatory educational expenses, to a maximum of $2,000 per academic year, not to exceed a total $8,000 for all service in the Primary Reserves.
3. Skills Completion Program (SCP)
   • Financial reimbursement of education and certification expenses for eligible Regular Force members to upgrade their military skills and experience to a civilian equivalent or to obtain a civilian certification level, leading directly to second career employment.
     Eligibility requirements:
     1. Members with 10 years or more of cumulative Reg Force service
     2. Members must NOT currently hold a college diploma or university degree.

The BPSO/Education Coordinator can assist members in liaising with civilian agencies/post-secondary institutions to develop an education plan. This is especially important for those personnel seeking advanced credit for military training/experience.

Any payments of Educational Subsidization benefit claims take place at the Base Personnel Selection Office.

For further information and details about education benefits available to CF members, go to: http://cda.mil.ca/index-eng.asp or make an appointment with the Education Coordinator.

Organizational Consulting

Personnel Selection Officers (PSOs) administer and provide behavioural science services to enable the Area and the CF to effectively assess, acquire, integrate, and maintain personnel for operational and support roles.

PSOs administer surveys and conduct data analysis of behavioural science surveys, special projects and research on behalf of unit commanding officers and CLS.

PSOs provide briefings to unit commanding officers on the overall human readiness of their personnel and provide recommendations for change (e.g. Unit Morale Profiles, Human Dimensions of Operations surveys).

FAQ

Q: Question: How can I find out more information about how to obtain an occupation transfer or education services?
Ans: Begin by attending one of the monthly briefings on Occupation Transfers and Commissioning Programs held at the Lecture Training Facility (LTF). Obtain permission from your Chain of Command and contact the Base Personnel Selection Office (780) 973-4011ext. 5819 to register your name for the briefings. To tailor your plan for your career/education goals, the next step is to set up an individual appointment with either a Personnel Selection Officer or the Education Coordinator.

Q: How might companies able to advertise their interest in hiring former CF members?
Ans: Contact the BPSO Office, and ask to speak with the SCAN Coordinator or the Base Personnel Selection Officer. Many of the members releasing from the military access SCAN transition services through our office, including a list of ‘Preferred Employers’ who express direct interest in hiring ex-military for a variety of positions.

Q: As an academic/learning institution, who can I contact that will provide information about my programs to Canadian Forces members?
Ans Contact the BPSO Office, and ask to speak with the Education Coordinator or the Base Personnel Selection Officer. The Education Coordinator is the primary point of contact for providing Canadian Forces members with educational counselling. Additionally, the Personnel Selection Office at CFB/ASU Edmonton organizes an annual Education Fair, which is an excellent venue for academic institutions to present their programs to CF members.

CFB/ASU Edmonton Base Personnel Selection Office Contact Information:

Appointment	Incumbent	Local
Area Personal Selection Officer	Maj Ilene Fika	5822
Base Personal Selection Officer	Lt Jordan Camarda	5824
Personal Selection Officer	Vacant	5874
SCAN Coordinator	Kirsten Kelly	5820
Education Coordinator	Sayeeda Jaigirdar	5759
PSO Chief Clerk	Peter Davies	5819
SCAN/PSO Clerk	Barb Johnson	5791
Education Clerk	Vacant	5795

Dial (780) 973-4011 and the extension of the person you wish to reach. For general enquiries, dial extension 5819.

Mailing Address:
Base Personnel Selection Office
CFB/ASU Edmonton
PO Box 10500 Station Forces
Edmonton, AB T5J 4J5

Physical Address:
Base Personnel Selection Office
Building 407 B Korea Road
Lecture Training Facility, 2nd Floor Annex B
CFB/ASU Edmonton

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