Laboratory Chemist II

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

Note that if you have applied to selection process number 18-NHW-HECS-IA-NCR-238734, you do not need to re-apply to this process.

Candidates must clearly demonstrate in the screening questionnaire how they meet the education and experience criteria listed in the essential qualifications and asset qualifications, if applicable. Please note that stating that the requirement has been met, and/or listing past or current responsibilities, does not represent adequate substantiation. Rather, you must provide concrete examples that clearly illustrate how you meet the requirements by respecting the maximum number of words provided for this purpose. Resume may be used as a secondary source to validate the qualifications described; comments such as "refer to my attached resume" will not be accepted and may result in your application being rejected.

Work environment

The Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate (ERHSD) is a science-oriented directorate of the Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch of Health Canada which brings together environmental health and radiation regulation, health research and surveillance, chemical surveillance and monitoring, and science policy.

What we do?

ERHSD conducts a wide range of activities that anticipate, mitigate and assist in the reduction of risks to human health from environmental factors, chemicals, and exposure to radiation sources. Our work spans the continuum of:

• exposure;
• surveillance;
• determination, assessment and management of hazards and risks;
• research;
• epidemiological investigations and emergency planning;
• policy co-ordination; and
• administration of the Radiation Emitting Devices Act and regulations.

Intent of the process

Although the intent of this Job Opportunity Advertisement is anticipatory to staff indeterminately, applicants should be aware that a pool of qualified candidates (fully assessed or partially assessed) may be established and may be used to staff similar positions at this group.

Note that qualified candidates who are currently employees of the Federal Public Service at the same group and level or equivalent could be considered first for deployment, secondment or assignment. If no deployment, secondment or assignment is made, applicants from other groups and levels will be considered in the advertised appointment process.

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)

• Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in chemistry OR in a field relevant to the duties of the position. These fields include but are not restricted to biochemistry or environmental chemistry.

*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.

Degree equivalency

• Experience in sample preparation for trace environmental quantitative analysis.
• Experience in the operation AND maintenance of modern analytical instruments, including liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.
• Experience in collecting, evaluating and interpreting scientific data.
• Experience in developing and validating methods for quantitative analysis in an analytical chemistry laboratory environment.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:
• Knowledge of the theories and principles in the following:
1) chemistry 2) sample preparation 3) chromatography 4) mass spectrometry.
• Knowledge of current environmental health research of human exposure to environmental contaminants.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety procedures relevant for handling biological fluids AND hazardous chemicals.
• Knowledge of QA/QC principles and procedures, and good laboratory practices.

ABILITIES:
• Ability to produce analytical experiment data
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary project team(s).
• Ability to communicate effectively orally.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
• Effective interpersonal relationships
• Thoroughness – attention to detail
• Respectful of diversity - inclusiveness
• Values and ethics
• Initiative and self-motivation

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

ASSET EDUCATION:
• Masters in Science or a Doctorate degree in a field of studies relevant to the functions of the position as outlined under the essential qualifications.

Degree equivalency

• Hands-on experience of mass spectrometry software (e.g. Excalibur, Mass Lynx, MassHunter).

• Experience in field work for the collection of environmental samples (e.g. air, water, or soil, dust)

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 written examination may be administered.

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

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the operational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed. Meeting one or many of the asset qualifications may be a deciding factor in appointing a particular candidate amongst the qualified candidates. Please note that one, some or all of the asset qualifications could be used at the screening phase.

If you are an employee of the Public Service, please include your Personal Record Identifier (PRI) in your application, clearly indicate your SUBSTANTIVE GROUP AND LEVEL and your EMPLOYMENT STATUS (indeterminate, determinate, casual, agency, contract, etc.). Note: If you are hired for a determinate period of time, please indicate the start and end date of your current employment. Proof of your employment tenure will be required, upon request.

In the event that you are an employee of the Public service qualified through this process, and there is a temporary need, you may be considered for acting or assignment/secondment opportunity. The approval of your substantive supervisor will be required before acting/assignment/secondment is offered.

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.

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

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

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/

Our intention is to communicate with the candidates by email. Candidates who apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid email address and make sure that this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that provided coordinates are accurate and up-to-date, as needed.

Please note that depending on the number of applicants, needs and HR plans, we may be applying asset criteria and/or ranking for the purpose of managing the volume of applicants.

A security check will be administered and proof of citizenship will be required.

The masculine gender includes the feminine and is used for the sole purpose of lightening the text.

Volume management strategies such as random selection, top-down approach, and/or cut-off scores may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

Time sensitive correspondence may be transmitted via e-mail and it will be the candidate's responsibility to ensure they check their e-mail regularly. Failure to respond to communications may result in elimination from this 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.