Science Director

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request special accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

How can you apply?

We want to attract top talent, therefore we are focusing on your competencies. We are also taking a simplified approach for you to apply to this process. To apply for this process, you don’t need to provide a cover letter (just a résumé).

You will be required to complete an online experience screening questionnaire when you apply. The information you provide in the questionnaire must be true. When answering the screening questions you must provide concrete and detailed examples to clearly demonstrate how you meet each qualification.

We can’t make any assumptions about your experience. Simply saying you have the required qualifications or listing your current duties is not enough. Instead, provide concrete and detailed examples that clearly explain where, when, and how you gained the experience. We’ll only use your résumé as a secondary source of information. If you don’t clearly demonstrate you have the required experience, we won’t ask for additional information and you may be screened out. The breadth and depth of experience may be considered during screening, assessment and/or selection of candidates.

Duties

The incumbent will lead the Science Technology Core Services Program at the National Microbiology Program providing leadership to the sections of Bioinformatics, Genomics, Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry, Applied Biosafety, Monoclonal Antibodies and Veterinary Technical Services. The individual will work with other Science Directors to support the evolving needs of the core service model at NML and NML-wide initiatives to support science excellence, workplace wellness with a focus on our core values and our most important resource – our people.

Work environment

The Public Health Agency of Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) provides scientific expertise and laboratory capacity for infectious disease monitoring, detection, investigation and outbreak response to support national and international public health action. NML strives to be the employer of choice for Canadian and international scientific and non-scientific staff. Our employees contribute leadership, ingenuity, expertise and innovation to safeguard the health of Canadians and the global community.

Intent of the process

The process will initially be used to staff one permanent position within the Division of Science Technology and Core Services at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, MB. The result of this selection process will also be to establish a pool of qualified candidates that may be used for future temporary or permanent positions within the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Education:
Graduation with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in microbiology or genetics, or bioinformatics or a science field related to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience:

1. Significant* experience in managing projects, research activities and collaborative initiatives in a science delivery environment.

2. Experience in providing science management advice to senior management (Director, Director General or above, etc).

3. Experience in the research of infectious diseases, including from a public health perspective.

4. Experience in the delivery of diagnostic or reference laboratory services under a system of quality.

5. Significant** experience in planning and managing human*** and financial**** resources.

6. Experience in building and maintaining relationships with governments, industry, or academia.

*Significant experience means the applicant has performed complex activities related to project management for 5 years or more.

**Significant experience means the applicant has performed complex activities related to managing human and financial resources for 2 years or more in the past 5 years.

Human and financial resources are defined as follows:
*** Managing human resources is defined as: applicants must clearly demonstrate that they have supervised staff with diverse backgrounds (eg. range of expertise, competencies), assigned work, managed and assessed performance and ensured development and training needs of employees are met.

**** Managing financial resources is defined as: applicants must show evidence of managing and being accountable for a budget. This experience is defined as being responsible for sound financial planning, forecasting and reporting.

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

Asset Qualifications:
Certified in clinical or medical microbiology

Experience:
1. Significant* experience in co-developing and delivery of programs with Provincial or International Public Health laboratories.
2. Involved in workplace wellness initiatives.

*Significant experience means the applicant has delivered programs with Provincial or International Laboratories for 5 years or more.

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

Various language requirements
English Essential, Bilingual Imperative and Non-Imperative

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
1. Knowledge of Canada’s public health system, including key national and international stakeholders.
2. Unique knowledge/expertise in infectious diseases.

Leadership Competencies:
1. Create Vision and Strategy (includes Communication)
2. Mobilize People
3. Uphold Integrity and Respect
4. Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders
5. Promote Innovation and Guide Change
6. Achieve Results

Key Leadership competencies: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/professional-development/key-leadership-competency-profile/examples-effective-ineffective-behaviours.html

Science Competencies:
1. Promote Continuous Improvement, Quality and Safety in a Science Based Organization
2. Ability to recommend public health measures, assess/support emergency preparedness and response

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

Knowledge:
1. Knowledge of science informatics applications, such as bioinformatics to address complex public health issues.
2. Knowledge of current issues, trends and/or challenges in the field of biotechnology in public health.

Organizational Needs:
The Public Health Agency of Canada is committed to Employment Equity. In order to ensure a diversified workforce, preference may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one or more of the following Employment Equity groups: women, aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minority groups provided the candidate meets all essential qualifications listed on the job opportunity notice and any applicable asset qualification(s).

Operational Requirements:
Willingness and ability to work flexible hours including overtime.
Willingness and ability to travel when required.

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance - Medical 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

ASSESSMENT
Based on the hiring division’s needs, additional essential qualifications, asset qualifications, organizational needs, operational requirements and/or conditions of employment may be identified and applied during the assessment and/or selection of candidates.

In assessing candidates, assessment boards may use a variety of tools and methods including, but not limited to, reviews of past performance and accomplishments, written tests, interviews, simulations, PSC tests, reference checks, board member knowledge etc. In addition, all information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the candidates.

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.

Persons 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.

Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
- Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience.
- Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications.
- The organizational need of restructuring/budgetary constraints

Candidates from outside the federal public service may be required to pay for travel and relocation costs associated with this selection process.

Proof of education will be required. 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.

COMMUNICATION

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent.

Candidates must include a valid email address in their application. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that this address is functional and that it accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). It is also the candidate's responsibility to ensure accurate information is provided and updated as required.

Are you ready to apply?

To apply for any position, you need to first create a profile in the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS), which should only take about 10 minutes. Then, after ensuring you meet the position requirements, scroll to the bottom of the poster and click on "Apply online."

Work your way through the list of requirements, completing each section and saving as you go. Before submitting your application, please ensure that there are green check marks on every single category before submitting your application.
If there are any red Xs on the categories, please click into that category and ensure that everything has been filled out. Screening questions have been built into the application process and occasionally an applicant may miss a field on the Screening Questions page. Please thoroughly review to ensure that you have responded to each question, including all the "Yes / No " questions.

PSRS will automatically disconnect candidates without warning after 60 minutes if there is no activity. You need to save or move to a new screen to maintain your connection. Typing information without saving does not prevent you from being disconnected. Applicants may find it helpful to first use a word processing software to complete their responses using concrete and detailed examples, then copy and paste the responses into PSRS afterwards.

If you have further questions on how to apply or experience technical difficulties with your application, please visit the following website: http://www.cfp-psc.gc.ca/contact-jobs/index-eng.php

We will only accept on-line applications received via the Public Service Jobs site. Persons with disabilities or residing in locations that prevent them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

OTHER INFORMATION

Proof of citizenship will be requested if you are considered for a position.

If you are a current federal government employee, please identify clearly your substantive group and level and your employment status on your resume and/or application form. Also, please ensure your Personal Record Identifier (PRI) is included in your application.

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.