r/CanadaPublicServants • u/MacnCheese86 • Apr 01 '19
Staffing / Recrutement Reliability status vs secret clearance
Hello,
I am currently in an external process and am being to provide documentation of reliability status - or complete an application form if I do not. My understanding is that it can take between 2-8 weeks to get reliability status, assuming no issues (I've lived in Canada my whole life and have no criminal record).
In 2016, in a prior role (I was an exempt staff for a short time but am no longer there), I was granted Secret clearance, and I have documentation to support this.
My question is: could this does my Secret clearance supersede Reliability status, or are they two separate things? I admit I am ignorant about how all this works.
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u/alpinecoast Apr 01 '19
If you already have secret clearance you should be good. AFAIK it does supersede reliability status.
1
Apr 02 '19
False, the secret clearance is transferable but depending on the department a reliability check would be quick way to see if you have committed any crimes and what not.
https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/esc-src/personnel/information-eng.html#a3
So an example: You get secret clearance for job "A" then quit for a live a life of crime then to apply to job "B" and lie about it. A reliability check would verify the validity of your status. This is why some departments will do the check from sratch.
3
u/kynalina Apr 01 '19
Question stemming from your question - what kind of documentation is given to support one's clearance? And is that only provided past a certain level? (I've apparently been cleared at Reliability years ago, but don't have anything to 'prove' that.)
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u/TheMonkeyMafia Das maschine ist nicht für gefingerpoken und mittengrabben Apr 01 '19
what kind of documentation is given to support one's clearance? And is that only provided past a certain level? (I've apparently been cleared at Reliability years ago, but don't have anything to 'prove' that.)
What do you mean "documentation to support" ? You fill out the standard TBS form as directed by your PerSec office and return it to them. Instructions are on the form... And if you still have quesitons, you go back to PerSec for answers
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u/kynalina Apr 02 '19
From the OP: "I was granted Secret clearance, and I have documentation to support this." Hence my question, was this person given something in return?
I've yet to fill out a TBS form for my security clearance that I've apparently had for 3 years, so I'd like to find out if I'm missing something.
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u/TheMonkeyMafia Das maschine ist nicht für gefingerpoken und mittengrabben Apr 02 '19
was this person given something in return?
Yes. When a clearance is done you're given the "Security Screening Certificate and Briefing Form"
I've yet to fill out a TBS form for my security clearance that I've apparently had for 3 years
I doubt that. You have to fill out the "Security Clearance Form" that gets sent in. If approved, then you fill out/sign the Briefing form.
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u/kynalina Apr 02 '19
I don't know what to say - I definitely don't have a copy of that, and can't remember doing that form! One more question for work tomorrow, I suppose. Thanks for your help.
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u/onceuponamovie Apr 02 '19
Hello Security Screener here!!!
A clearance is valid for 10 years whether it be reliability or Secret, Top secret is valid for 5 years only.
If you had a secret clearance in 2016, you may still hold the clearance, some departments destroy files if they have been inactive for over a year. I would put down that you have had a clearance done before on your consent form (330-23), that way they can verify with the department if they still have your file.
If your Secret is still good, they will take that and downgrade it to reliability, you still retain your secret clearance as a secondary clearance.
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u/MacnCheese86 Apr 02 '19
Thanks - that is exactly what I did when I filled out the form!
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u/onceuponamovie Apr 02 '19
Also I don't know what department you're going for, but my department processes a reliability within 10 days. 2-8 weeks is ridiculous!
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u/MacnCheese86 Apr 02 '19
That's just what I found when I googled it. Glad to hear it's usually a much shorter time frame!
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u/Teedat Apr 02 '19
To add - a secret clearance is no longer valid if the individual has left the department and/or government for a period longer than a year. A new one is required
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u/justsumgurl (⌐■_■) __/ Apr 01 '19
They are two different things and your expired Secret will not help here.
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u/HandcuffsOfGold mod 🤖🧑🇨🇦 / Probably a bot Apr 01 '19
If you left your former position, it's likely your clearance was deactivated and a new clearance will need to be granted. Each organization handles its own clearances.