Aquatic Science Biologist – Ecological Modelling

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

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

It is your responsibility to provide clear and concrete examples in your responses to each question, including when (from-to), where (occupational title, organization) and how you obtained your education and experience. It is recommended that you describe the experience examples in specific terms, providing sufficient details so that the assessment board can clearly understand. Describe the situation/task, the action you took, what you accomplished and/or what you learned.

Content of your response must be supported by your CV/resume as your responses to these questions will be used as a primary source of information and your CV/resume will only be used to validate this information. Should you indicate in your response "Please refer to CV/resume" your application will be rejected.

Lack of examples and details will result in your application being rejected as the assessment board will have insufficient information to determine if the requirement is met.

Duties

The incumbent will assist with the planning and undertaking science to acquire and share knowledge, concepts, and methodologies related to fisheries, species at risk, aquatic invasive species, fish habitat, and lower trophic levels in freshwater ecosystems. This work will be in support of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) objectives for ensuring sustainable aquatic ecosystems, fisheries and aquaculture. The incumbent will be involved in providing scientific knowledge, data, information, advice and recommendations to scientists and resource managers within the Department and to other federal, provincial, and municipal regulatory agencies and private and NGO partners. The incumbent will work as a team member, with a focus on modelling, quantitative, and statistical analyses.

Work environment

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for policies and programs in support of Canada's economic, ecological and scientific interests in oceans and inland waters; for the conservation and sustainable utilization of Canada's fisheries resources in marine and inland waters; for leading and facilitating federal policies and programs on oceans; and for safe, effective and environmentally sound marine services responsive to the needs of Canadians in a global economy.

Intent of the process

Positions to be filled:
1 permanent position in Burlington, ON
1 term position in Burlington, ON

The anticipated number of positions that may be staffed with this advertised process is two (2); however, a pool of qualified candidates will be established through this staffing process and may be used to staff similar positions with different tenures in Burlington ON, Winnipeg MB, or Sault Ste. Marie ON.

Positions to be filled: 2

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 in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

· Experience organizing and undertaking scientific projects in teams or alone.
· Field experience working on aquatic environments relevant to freshwater fishes.
· Experience modelling biological systems, particularly population, community, habitat or ecosystem modelling.
· Experience drafting scientific peer-reviewed publications or technical reports (e.g., lead or junior author).

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

Graduation with a graduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

· Experience programming in Visual Basic, R, C, MatLab, Python or other relevant language.
· Experience conducting multivariate statistical analyses of biological or environmental data sets.
· Experience conducting regression-based statistical analyses (e.g. multiple linear regression, general linear models, nonlinear regression).
· Experience in the use of geographic information systems or geospatial tools.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

· Knowledge of aquatic ecosystems and their stressors, in relation to freshwater or marine fishes and their habitats.
· Knowledge of the application of statistical and numerical modelling using computers and programming to the design and analysis of biological research.
· Knowledge of habitat, population or ecosystem theory and modelling.

· Ability to analyze and interpret information.
· Ability to organize data for inclusion in databases, models, reports, manuscripts, or presentations.
· Ability to develop and test predictive models related to life history, fish habitat, population, fisheries, community or ecosystem ecology.
· Ability to communicate orally.
· Ability to communicate in writing.

· Teamwork.
· Initiative.
· Judgment.
· Flexibility.

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

· Knowledge of data management, including collection and storage.
· Knowledge of the principles, methods, procedures, and standards for the collection of aquatic biological samples.
· Knowledge of techniques used in spatial ecology to analyse data for temporal or spatial trends.

· Ability to select statistical tests to analyze data and interpret results
· Ability to gather, compile, archive and organize biological data.

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity group: visible minorities

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

· A valid driver's licence or mobility to the extent normally associated with a driver’s licence.
· Willingness to work flexible hours and/or overtime, sometimes on short notice
· Willingness and ability to travel nationally and internationally by ground or air transportation.

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

A variety of assessment tools may be used in the assessment of candidates, such as: written test, oral interview, and/or reference checks. Some assessment tools may be administered electronically, others, in-person or over the telephone.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

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

PLEASE NOTE: For this selection process, our intention is to communicate with applicants by e-mail and PSRS. Applicants who apply to this selection process must ensure their email address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

A top-down selection may be used during any phases of the selection process.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has an Accommodation Policy and will accommodate up to the point of undue hardship for the duration of the selection process, and upon any offer of employment, for the performance of duties in the position.

An alternative format (such as Braille) of this notice is available upon request.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

Successful candidate(s) must meet and maintain the Conditions of Employment throughout their employment.

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.