Writer/Editor Various Streams (Developmental Program)

Important messages

Stream 1: AS-02 Junior Writer/Editor
Stream 2: AS-03 Writer/Editor
Stream 3: AS-04 Senior Writer/Editor

Work locations are Ottawa, ON and Charlottetown, PE.

All information must be provided through the "apply online" application process. Do not fax, mail, email or drop-off a hard copy application as these will not be accepted. To apply in an alternate format due to disability, you must contact the email address indicated in the "Contact information" section below PRIOR to the Closing Date.

Please note when submitting an application to this selection process, you will be prompted to answer screening questions concerning the essential education, experience qualifications and asset qualifications.

Your answers to the screening questions will be used to partially assess your ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or missing information.

Resumes will be used as a secondary source to validate the experience and education described in the screening questions.

Intent of the process

The program recruits and develops qualified applicants who are interested in writer-editor work. It is an entry-level program at the AS-02 level and the participants are expected to complete a series of on-the-job training assignments and formal training requirements as they progress through successive classification levels within the program. It is also the intention to hire at the AS-03 and AS-04 level for those currently possessing the essential qualifications.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION:

A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Acceptable combination is defined as: Two (2) year post-secondary education and the breadth and depth of training and experience which would normally be acquired with two (2) years minimum of work experience in providing writer, editor services.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE COMMON TO ALL STREAMS

Experience composing routine correspondence
Experience working and liaising with executive offices and subject matter experts on matters pertaining to correspondence

Experience Specific to Stream 1 (AS-02):
Experience writing and providing quality control of correspondence

Experience Specific to Stream 2 (AS-03):
Experience writing, proofreading and editing correspondence

Experience Specific to Stream 3 (AS-04):
Experience proofreading and editing complex and sensitive correspondence for *senior officials in public, private or government organizations.

*NOTE:
Senior officials in public, private or government organizations include Director General and above.

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

Various language requirements
English Essential
Bilingual Imperative PPB/PPB

Code P is required for reading and writing in French and/or English. Second Language Evaluation tests prescribed by the Public Service Commission are not used to evaluate skills requiring the use of code P.
​
The hiring manager is responsible for assessing code P. Reading and writing in French and/or English requiring code P refers to the following technical or specialized language skills:

- Professional Writing
- Editing

https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/staffing/qualification-standards/relation-official-languages.html#specialized

Information on language requirements

ABILITIES COMMON TO ALL STREAMS:

Ability to communicate effectively orally
Ability to communicate effectively in writing
Ability to analyze and format correspondence

PERSONAL SUITABILITIES COMMON TO ALL STREAMS:

Judgement
Attention to detail
Dependability
Effective interpersonal relationships

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

ASSETS QUALIFICATIONS:

A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in communications, journalism, translation, public relations, or linguistics.

Degree equivalency

Experience as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces
Experience using CcmMercury

Knowledge of the mandate and organization of Veterans Affairs Canada
Knowledge of editing and writing tools
Knowledge of the Department’s programs and services

In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, Persons with a disability, Visible Minorities, Women.

Preference may be given to Veterans Affairs employees affected by workforce adjustment or organizational changes.

Conditions of employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Various - Secret or Reliability security clearance

Willingness and ablilty to work overtime on short notice.
Willing to carry a departmental mobile device to be able to work from home for Business Continuity purposes.

NOTE:
Business Continuity ensures that business processes can continue during a time of emergency or disaster might include a fire, inclement weather conditions or any other case where business is not able to occur under normal conditions.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Availability to work a standard work day – i.e. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Other information

It is your responsibility to ensure that your email and contact information are maintained with the hiring board. All communication for this process will be sent by email and it is your responsibility to verify your messages regularly.

Education and/or Experience factors in the asset qualifications may be used for screening. Applicants should clearly demonstrate on their application if they meet any of the education and/or experience asset qualifications. Failure to do so may result in the rejection of your application.

In order to manage the number of applications, management may use a top down selection method at any point in the assessment process to determine the number of candidates who will continue in the process.

Candidates will be asked to provide proof of their education credentials, and proof of citizenship at a later date.

An interview and/or written exam may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought. The Assessment Committee reserves the right to contact references other than those provided by the candidates (within the Public Service only) in order to adequately assess the candidates.

Indeterminate employees at the same group and level or equivalent may be considered for assignment, deployment or secondment opportunities before other candidates.

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.