CH-02 Two Streams - Stream 1: Laboratory Chemist, Stream 2: Field Chemist

Update: AMENDED CLOSING DATE

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

This selection process is for CH-02 positions in two (2) different areas of expertise (streams):

STREAM 1: Laboratory Chemist (Ottawa)
STREAM 2: Field Chemist (Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal)

*** NOTE: Candidates MUST submit their application through the online system available at: GC jobs. Applications submitted in any other format will not be accepted. If there are limitations or special circumstances preventing you from submitting your application via the PSRS online portal, you must contact the CBSA Recruitment team AND receive approval to apply via an alternate means PRIOR to the closing date.

When submitting your application to this selection process, you will be required to answer screening questions to demonstrate how you meet the Essential Qualifications (Education and all Essential Experiences) as well as any Asset Qualifications (if applicable).
 
When answering the screening questions, remember that the assessment board cannot make assumptions about your Education and Experience. It is not sufficient to say that you have the required qualifications or to list your current or past responsibilities. Rather, you must provide concrete examples with significant details to explain WHEN, WHERE and HOW you acquired each qualification. This is similar to what would be expected of you when asked to provide a concrete example of a particular situation in the context of an interview.
 
Candidates must also submit a resume with their application, which will only be used to validate the information provided in their answers to the screening questions.
 
Should your responses to the screening questions contain insufficient details to demonstrate that you meet the screening criteria, your application will not be given further consideration in this process. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information.
 

Intent of the process

ANTICIPATORY: A pool of partially or fully qualified candidates may be established from this selection process and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures, various linguistic profiles as well as various security clearances within the Canada Border Services Agency.

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)

We encourage you to identify any skills, competencies and/or experiences you acquired through a career with the Canadian Armed Forces.

EDUCATION:

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in Chemistry.

NOTE:

1. The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization.

2. For the purposes of these standards, the term "specialization" refers to at least 12 courses (semester length) in chemistry with at least 6 courses taken at a level corresponding to the last two years of study.

3. Candidates should be prepared to provide proof of education (copy of transcript). If you have obtained education outside Canada, you will be required to submit proof of evaluation of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:

Recent* and significant ** experience conducting analysis in a science laboratory, including the interpretation of data from various analytical chemistry laboratory techniques (e.g., FT-IR, NMR, GC-MS, LC-MS, IMS etc.)

*Recent experience is defined as experience acquired within the last five (5) years.

**Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with having performed a broad range of duties and having performed those duties on a regular and continuous basis for a period of one (1) or more years.

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

Various language requirements
Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB
English Essential
English or French Essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:

Knowledge of general chemistry, quality assurance principles, analytical techniques and analytical instrumentation.

ABILITIES AND SKILLS:

Ability to interpret data from various analytical laboratory techniques
Ability to communicate effectively orally
Ability to communicate effectively in writing

PERSONAL SUITABILITIES:

Working effectively with others
Thinking Things Through
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:

Stream 1 and 2:
- Graduation with a Master’s of Science degree in Chemistry from a recognized post-secondary institution.
- Graduation with a PhD (Doctorate Degree) in Chemistry from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:

Stream 1 and 2:
- Recent* and significant** experience in the analysis of controlled drugs and substances or prescription drugs.
- Recent* and significant** experience producing formal analytical reports for clients related to the analysis of exhibits submitted for testing.
- Experience in working with law enforcement.
- Recent* and significant** experience operating modern laboratory instruments.

Stream 1 only:
- Recent* and significant** experience in the analysis of the compositional and physical properties of polymer products.
- Recent* and significant** experience in the compositional analysis of food products.
- Recent* and significant** experience in the compositional analysis of metallurgical products.
- Recent* and significant** experience in the analysis of alcohol products.
- Recent* and significant** experience in the analysis of tobacco products.
- Recent* and significant** experience in the analysis of Cannabis and/or Cannabis products.
- Recent* and significant** experience in the validation of analytical methods.
- Recent* and significant** experience working in a quality system environment (either a laboratory accredited under ISO 17025 or operating under similar principles).

Stream 2 only
- Recent* and significant** experience analysing materials and interpreting data from instruments such as Fourier Transform- Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR) and Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS).
- Experience maintaining modern laboratory instruments.
- Experience in sampling methodologies.
- Experience performing scientific field work.

*Recent experience is defined as experience acquired within the last five (5) years.

*Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with having performed a broad range of duties and having performed those duties on a regular and continuous basis for a period of one (1) or more years.

Conditions of employment

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

The following may vary depending on the position being staffed. They may include but are not limited to the following:

- Obtain and maintain a Reliability Status or Secret security clearance as per CBSA Security Standards.
- Obtain and maintain a Transportation Security Clearance for positions located at airports/ marine ports.
- Work overtime as required.
- Work various shifts on rotation, weekends as well as statutory holidays, as required.
- Travel as required.
- Carry and use a cell phone, smart phone and/or other mobile communication device and be available after hours on call back or stand-by basis, as required.
- Adhere to laboratory safety standards and procedures.
- Ability and willingness to move and/or lift items (up to 20 kg.)
-Work with and be exposed to hazardous chemicals and equipment.
-Wear appropriate protective clothing and/or equipment.

Note: Candidates must meet the applicable Conditions of Employment at the time of appointment and must continue to meet throughout employment.

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

Please identify clearly for which position(s)/stream(s) you are submitting an application.

***************************
ASSESSMENT
***************************

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

You may be assessed using a variety of assessment tools, such as, but not limited to: standardized tests, written exams, interviews, simulation exercises, reference checks, recent and past performance evaluations, self-assessments, candidate achievement record, etc.

Please note that your overall conduct and communications, including email correspondence, throughout the entire process may be used in the assessment of qualifications and competencies.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.  If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. For more information please click on “Degree Equivalency” in the Education section above. 

LEAVE/ABSENCES DURING THIS SELECTION PROCESS: It is the responsibility of the candidate to notify the Departmental contact of any pre-approved leave throughout the duration of the process in order to facilitate scheduling of evaluations. One (1) alternate date will be possible only if requested for the following reasons: 1) Medical reasons with doctor’s certificate 2) Death in your immediate family 3) Confirmation of pre-approved travel plans or training plans (made before the advertisement posting date) 4) Religious reasons or 5) Participation in an assessment for another selection process.

Please note that achieving the pass mark on any of the assessments used does not mean you will move forward in the selection process. Management may decide to use a score that is higher than the pass mark on any of the evaluations used throughout the selection process. Management may also decide to use top-down selection at any stage of the process.

Management may choose to invoke an asset(s) at any point of the process.

***************************
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
***************************

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

Official language proficiency: due to its unique character, this essential qualification could be assessed and required solely upon appointment. It is therefore the candidate’s responsibility to inform the person in charge of the selection process if he/she obtains the linguistic requirements after the pool has been established. Also, a person who initially failed linguistic testing could be introduced into the pool of qualified candidates during the pool’s validity period if he/she is assessed again through another selection process or following linguistic training.

***************************
COMMUNICATION
***************************

Communication for this process will be sent via email. Applicants MUST check their e-mail accounts frequently as there may be a deadline for responses.It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). Please note that we will have to consider that you are no longer interested in participating in the selection process and that you have withdrawn your candidacy should you not provide us with an up-to-date email address or respond to our communications.

If you need to communicate with us during any stage of this process, please indicate the selection process number in the subject field of your email.

***************************
OTHER INFORMATION
***************************

If you have a Personal Record Identifier (PRI), please include it in your application.

Acknowledgement of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process is completed.

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.