Senior Program Scientist – Geochemistry ***Amendment to Closing Date***

Important messages

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Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

Duties

The mandate of the Environmental Protection Operations Directorate (EPOD) of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) includes policy and program development and implementation in six core areas: environmental assessment, contaminated sites, environmental emergencies, marine programs, compliance promotion, and environmental effects monitoring. National programs are delivered by staff located in six regions and 17 regional/satellite offices across Canada.

The position being staffed is a geoscientist with strength/specialization in geochemistry within the Expert Support group in EPOD’s Pacific & Yukon Region. Expert Support provides science and subject-matter expertise support to the core areas of EPOD. The geoscientist provides expertise in the areas of geology, geochemistry, and supporting geosciences as they relate to effects on water quality in order to produce advice and recommendations within the scope of ECCC’s mandate and legislation. The work involves reviewing technical reports and documents:
• for proposed projects that are undergoing environmental assessment (e.g. mines and large infrastructure projects), and
• for existing federal contaminated sites undergoing assessment, remediation or risk management.
The geoscientist’s technical advice and recommendations contribute to the development of ECCC input into regulatory processes (e.g. environmental assessment decisions). This work is often conducted under tight timelines. There are occasional opportunities to participate in site visits to further develop project site knowledge.

Intent of the process

The intent of this anticipatory process is to identify a candidate for one (1) indeterminate English Essential position in Vancouver or Whitehorse in 2018, as part of the EPOD Pacific & Yukon Region’s succession plan. Indeterminate employees of the Public Service at the same group and level or equivalent may be considered for deployment. A pool of qualified candidates may be established and used to staff similar positions in Vancouver or Whitehorse within Environment and Climate Change Canada with various tenures (Term, Assignment, Secondment, Acting, Indeterminate, Deployment).

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Education

ED1. Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution; with acceptable specialization in earth sciences, geochemistry, geology, geological engineering or similar science relevant to the position; and with coursework or focus in geochemistry.

Degree equivalency

Experience

EX1. Significant* experience in providing written critical scientific analysis and advice; regarding the evaluation of potential environmental effects of exposing, moving, or modifying geologic materials, as part of mining or other large industrial or infrastructure projects.

EX2. Experience interpreting results of the monitoring and characterization of interactions between geologic materials and water as relates to the evaluation of potential environmental effects of exposing, moving, or modifying geologic materials, as part of mining or other large industrial or infrastructure projects.

EX3. Experience working in technical multi-disciplinary teams associated with environmental issues.

*Significant experience means experience normally gained by performing the duties over a period of approximately five (5) five years within the last 10 years

NOTE: Applicants must provide the total period during which the experience was acquired, and a description of the main tasks or duties performed in connection with this experience; failure to do so may result in rejection of an application.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

Asset Qualification - Education

AED1. A Master's degree or doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution; with acceptable specialization in earth sciences, geochemistry, geology, geological engineering or similar science relevant to the position; and with coursework or focus in geochemistry.

Degree equivalency

Asset Qualifications - Experience

AEX1. Experience in the design, assessment or delivery of programs to mitigate the environmental effects of exposing, moving, or modifying geologic materials, as part of mining or other large industrial or infrastructure projects.

AEX2. Experience in conducting, evaluating, interpreting or presenting the results of field investigations or laboratory studies related to mine waste, or mine pollution prevention/metal leaching/acid rock drainage mitigation.

AEX3. Experience as a geoscientist or similar occupation for operating mine(s) or similar operation.

AEX4. Experience developing or reviewing environmental impact assessment reports.

AEX5. Experience supervising staff and managing budgets.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge

K1. Extensive knowledge of the characterization of geological materials to understand potential risk of environmental effects when these materials are exposed, moved, or modified.

K2. Extensive knowledge of prediction, control and mitigation of release of metals/metalloids and other parameters of concern from geologic materials due to changes to geochemistry resulting from large mining, exploration, or other large industrial or infrastructure projects.

Abilities

A1. Ability to synthesize technical information about the potential release of contaminants from geologic materials and geochemical processes, and to provide analysis regarding potential environmental effects and recommendations for mitigation.

A2. Ability to communicate technical information effectively in writing, adapted to various audiences.

A3. Ability to communicate effectively orally.

A4. Ability to work well under pressure, including under tight time constraints.

Personal Suitability

PS1. Effective interpersonal skills
PS2. Judgement
PS3. Initiative
PS4. Dependability
PS5. Team player

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

Asset Qualifications - Knowledge

AK1. Knowledge of acts and regulations applicable to industrial effluent discharges and environmental assessment including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, the Fisheries Act, and the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations.

AK2. Knowledge of the Yukon environmental and socio-economic assessment process.

AK3. Knowledge of standard and innovative practices used to prevent and control water pollution from mining or industrial sectors.

AK4. Knowledge of how northern or alpine environmental conditions affect water pollution prevention/mitigation strategies for mining or industrial sectors.

AK5. Knowledge of environmental performance monitoring techniques associated with water pollution prevention and mitigation.

AK6. Knowledge of sampling, analytical and statistical techniques for measuring contaminants in complex environmental matrices and for confirming results.

AK7. Knowledge of impacts to aquatic and terrestrial environments due to changing geochemistry resulting from large mining, exploration or large industrial or infrastructure projects.

AK8. Knowledge of hydrology.

AK9. Knowledge of hydrogeology.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS

Environment and Climate Change Canada is committed to having a skilled and diversified workforce representative of the population we serve. In support of our Engagement Strategy to achieve employment equity goals, selection may be limited to candidates self-identifying as belonging to the visible minority Employment Equity group.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Willingness to work overtime occasionally.

Valid driver license.

Willingness to travel occasionally.

Willingness to make on-site visits to industrial facilities and sometimes remote field sites, as required.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the targeted groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A test may be administered.

Indeterminate employees at the same group and level or equivalent will be considered for deployment. If no deployment is made, applicants from other groups and levels will be considered in the advertised appointment process.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

A random and/or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

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.