National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

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4 - Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services

This broad category comprises managers in public administration, in education and social and community services and in public protection services, as well as occupations concerned with teaching, law, counselling, conducting social science research, developing government policy, and administering government and other programs, and related support occupations.

42 - Front-line public protection services and paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community, education services

This major group comprises front-line public protection services and paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community, education services. These occupations come with Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) identified as TEER 2. Occupations classified in TEER 2, as those included in this group with a 2 as the second digit of their code, typically require completion of a post-secondary education program of two to three years at community college, institute of technology or CÉGEP; or completion of an apprenticeship training program of two to five years; or supervisory or significant safety responsibilities; or the accumulation of several years of experience in a related occupation found in TEER 3, when applicable (TEER 3 includes occupations with a 3 as a second digit in their code).

421 - Occupations in front-line public protection services

This sub-major group comprises occupations in front-line public protection services, including police officers other than commissioned, firefighters, and specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

4210 - Occupations in front-line public protection services

This minor group comprises occupations in front-line public protection services, including police officers other than commissioned, firefighters, and specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces. They are employed by municipal, regional, provincial, and federal governments; and large industrial establishments that have internal firefighting services.

42100 - Police officers (except commissioned)

Police officers maintain order and enforce laws and regulations. They respond to emergency calls, patrol public areas, regulate traffic, control crowds, arrest offenders and build community relationships. They are employed by municipal and federal governments and some provincial and regional governments.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • community relations officer - police
    • constable
    • crime prevention constable
    • harbour police officer
    • highway patrol officer
    • police cadet
    • police officer
    • police sergeant
    • railway police officer
    • Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • crime scene technician - police
    • police diver
  • Exclusion(s)

    • By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers (See 43202 By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers)
    • Commissioned police officers and related occupations in public protection services (See 40040 Commissioned police officers and related occupations in public protection services)
    • Police investigators and other investigative occupations (See 41310 Police investigators and other investigative occupations)
    • Private detective (See 64410 Security guards and related security service occupations)
    • Sheriffs and bailiffs (See 43200 Sheriffs and bailiffs)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Respond to emergency calls and complaints, execute search warrants and arrest criminal suspects
    • Patrol assigned areas on foot, horseback, bicycle and motorized vehicles to maintain public safety and order and to enforce laws and regulations
    • Prepare reports to record incidents and patrol activities and to provide testimony in courts of law
    • Provide emergency assistance to victims of accidents, crimes and natural disasters
    • Monitor traffic to ensure motorists observe traffic regulations and test persons suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs
    • Control crowds at public events and protests and monitor suspicious and violent behaviour
    • Participate in crime prevention, public information, safety and community relations programs
    • Perform daily administrative tasks in support of law enforcement activities, such as maintaining equipment and information files
    • May assist police investigators in criminal investigations.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is required.
    • Completion of a college program in police technology is required in Québec and usually required in other provinces and territories.
    • A three- to six-month police training program is required.
    • Physical agility, strength, fitness and vision requirements must be met, and psychological or other tests are also required.
    • Specialized training or certification may be required for certain areas of policing.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to investigative positions is possible with additional training and experience.
42101 - Firefighters

Firefighters carry out firefighting and fire prevention activities, and assist in other emergencies. They are employed by municipal, provincial and federal governments and by large industrial establishments that have internal firefighting services. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • airport firefighter
    • fire captain
    • firefighter
    • firefighter lieutenant
    • industrial firefighter
    • shipboard firefighter

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers (See 40041 Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers)
    • Forest firefighter (See 84111 Silviculture and forestry workers)
    • Paramedic (See 32102 Paramedical occupations)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents, bomb threats and other emergencies
    • Rescue victims from burning buildings and accident sites
    • Control and extinguish fires using manual and power equipment, such as axes, water hoses, aerial ladders and hydraulic equipment and various firefighting chemicals
    • Administer first aid and other assistance
    • Ensure proper operation and maintenance of firefighting equipment
    • Prepare written reports on fire incidents
    • Inform and educate the public on fire prevention
    • Train to maintain high level of physical fitness
    • Assist the public, the police and emergency organizations during times of major disasters
    • May participate as members of a trauma or emergency response team and provide paramedical aid to accident victims or ill persons
    • May supervise and coordinate the work of other firefighters
    • May conduct building inspections to ensure compliance with fire code.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a college program in fire protection technology, fire science or a related field
      and
      a period of supervised practical training is usually required.
    • Firefighting and emergency medical care training courses are provided and vary in length depending on the requirements of different fire departments or services.
    • Certification for firefighters is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
    • Experience as a volunteer firefighter may be an advantage.
    • Physical agility, strength, fitness and vision requirements must be met.
    • Several years of experience are required for senior firefighters, such as lieutenants and captains.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to senior positions such as fire chief is possible with additional training and several years of experience.
42102 - Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces

Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces provide critical technological support for military armament. They are primarily responsible for the maintenance, inspection and technical support of all Canadian Army equipment. They also follow the military and strategic policies established by the leadership of the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Airforce, and the Royal Canadian Navy.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • air weapons systems technician
    • ammunition technician
    • weapons engineering technician
    • weapons technician

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces (See 40042 Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces)
    • Operations members of the Canadian Armed Forces (See 43204 Operations members of the Canadian Armed Forces)
    • Primary combat members of the Canadian Armed Forces (See 44200 Primary combat members of the Canadian Armed Forces)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Certify ammunition, explosive items, munitions and non-munitions scrap to different degrees of classification
    • Inspect, test, identify faults, adjust, repair, recondition and modify electrical, electromechanical, electronic, electro-optic and mechanical equipment, optical instruments, and control systems for weapons and missiles
    • Maintain and repair machine-guns and non-guided anti-tank weapons, grenade projectors, mortars and launcher systems
    • Test, inspect and repair air weapons systems
    • Compile test logs, evaluation reports, equipment maintenance documentation and read and interpret electronic drawings.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is required.
    • Three months of basic military training is required and provided.
    • Occupational qualification training of at least two years is required.
    • Specialized training in the operation and maintenance of military equipment and systems is provided.
  • Additional information

    • Members of this unit group who demonstrate the required abilities and potential will be offered advanced training.
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