Research Technician (Glider Technician)

Important messages

As a science-based department, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) relies on a vibrant science program to provide data and information combined with expert scientific analysis and advice to directly support decision-making as well as policy and program delivery. The Ecosystem and Oceans Science Sector (the "Science" Sector) makes up approximately one-quarter of the workforce of DFO (excluding Canadian Coast Guard) and includes research scientists and biologists with broad range of expertise in ocean and freshwater research, as well as physical scientists, chemists, engineers, hydrographers, a range of technical and other scientific support staff, managers, science advisors, and administrators.

Duties

As part of the glider program at the Institute of Ocean Sciences, and under the supervision of the Research Scientist leading the glider program, the Glider Technician will maintain and pilot DFO Pacific’s small fleet of ocean gliders. This entails preparing the gliders for deployment (ballasting, programming, etc), deploying them (generally from small boats), communicating with the gliders that are at sea via satellite to monitor their progress and 'health' and alter their mission if necessary, and maintaining the necessary calibrations on the gliders’ sensors (communicating with the manufacturer). The Glider Technician will also coordinate glider deployments with pilots in collaborating institutions (e.g. academic groups).

Intent of the process

The candidate pool resulting from this selection process may be used to staff similar positions on an indeterminate, term, secondment, deployment, assignment or acting basis in the Pacific Region.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 3,000 words (maximum)

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Successful completion of a recognized post-secondary program in a field relevant to the duties of the position or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
NOTE: It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each EXPERIENCE qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

Experience with oceanographic work at sea.

Experience planning field work, including preparing required equipment and materials.

Experience preparing and servicing autonomous ocean platforms (e.g. gliders, profiling floats).

Experience communicating remotely with instrumentation (i.e. satellite, radio, network).

Experience in the collection, entry and management of scientific data.

Experience writing scientific reports and preparing figures and posters for publication.

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of basic concepts of physical oceanography, including stratification and ocean currents.

Knowledge of the basic functioning of ocean gliders.

ABILITY

Ability to analyze and interpret data
Ability to communicate effectively in orally and in writing
Ability to manage technical projects and teams
Ability to plan, organize and lead field work

PERSONAL SUITABILITY

Demonstrating integrity and respect
Thinking things through
Working effectively with others
Showing initiative and being action oriented

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION

B.Sc. in oceanography, or related science, from a recognized post-secondary institution.

M.Sc. in oceanography or marine science.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
NOTE: It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each EXPERIENCE qualification.

Experience analyzing hydrographic, fluorescence or underwater acoustic data.

Experience preparing and servicing scientific instruments, such as temperature, salinity and oxygen sensors.

Experience with satellite communications (e.g. Iridium)

Experience with Matlab, Ocean Data View or other software.

Experience leading ship-based oceanographic field work.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. This organizational need may be identified as part of the appointment decision. In such cases, qualified candidates who self-declare as members of a visible minority group, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities or women (in non-traditional occupations) would be considered.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

First aid certification
Transportation of Dangerous Goods certification
WHMIS certification

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Possession of a valid class 5 driver’s license
Participation in field research activities, including sampling expeditions aboard ships and small boats and on-land in remote locations, sometimes in inclement weather
Occasional weekend and overtime work required

Other information

Acknowledgement of receipt of applications will not be sent. Only candidates who are screened in will be invited to the next phase of the recruitment campaign.

Candidates will be required to pay for their own travel expenses.

Candidates will be required to present for validation the following original documents during the assessment phase of this Recruitment Campaign. For candidates who are currently living abroad, other measures will be taken in order to validate your original documentation.

1. Original education credential(s). Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/.

2. a) For Canadian Citizens: Original proof of Canadian Citizenship. The accepted documents are Canadian Passport, Birth Certificate or Canadian Citizenship card.
b) For non-Canadian Citizens: Original document that serves as proof of identification.

Candidates are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

Candidates must include a valid e-mail address in their application and make sure this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users as all communication will be done electronically.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.