Meteorological Technologist - Developmental Program from EG-03 to EG-05

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

Do you have a passion for the weather and enjoy field work? Are you looking for an opportunity to progress from entry-level technologist to functional specialist?

A career in the Meteorological Service of Canada offers you the chance to work in a challenging and stimulating environment. All newly-hired meteorological technologists usually start their career in a development program, of a minimum 2½ years to a maximum of 5 years duration, that progresses towards a permanent position with full operational and technical responsibilities.

If you are looking for an exciting, challenging and interesting career, if you can work independently and in a team environment, and if hands-on problem-solving, initiative and adaptability are terms that describe you, an exciting career as Meteorological Technologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada awaits you!

Duties

Key duties:

Meteorological Technologists play a critical role in the delivery of the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC)'s mandate by ensuring the accurate measurement of weather and climate conditions. Installation, inspection, maintenance, repair, calibration and quality control are performed by the Meteorological Technologists for a number of data collection platforms that include the surface weather and climate, radar, aviation, marine, lightning detection, air quality and upper-air networks. Much of the work requires travel within the region of responsibility, by ground, boat or air. Some of the field work will be performed in isolated locations, while other work is in close proximity to populated areas. Although early in your career, you would spend much of your time training and learning, field work and travel will be a requirement. You can expect that field work and travel will comprise up to 60% of work time for a working-level technologist.

Training:

The Apprenticeship or Professional Training Program (APTP) is a training and development program. New recruits progress from the entry level (EG-03) to the working level (EG-05) in 2½ to 5 years. They are reclassified as they achieve competency at each level.

One of the conditions of employment is that the training program be successfully completed by the recruit within required timeframes and to the minimum acceptable performance levels. APTP participants will be full-time employees but they will be on probation until successful completion of the APTP. There are increased expectations and responsibilities for the trainees as their technical ability and knowledge increase.

Mandatory training will include modules and hands-on training on meteorology and measurement, weather observation and weather equipment repair, calibration and maintenance, as well as extensive training in Occupational Health and Safety.

Salary progression:

1) EG-03: $54,399* to $66,185 (18-36 months)
2) EG-04: $59,842* to $72,804 (12-24 months)
3) EG-05: $65,822* to $80,083 (operational level)

*initial salary is minimum, but annual increments are given until maximum pay is reached
*salary is under review

Upon graduation from the APTP, participants are appointed to a position at the EG-05 level. Graduates are considered ready for full operational and technical responsibilities, with minimum supervision.

Mobility Requirement:

Although technologists may stay in one office or region throughout their career, on occasion, postings outside the region of recruitment may be necessary for the recruit to acquire a particular skill or experience. The MSC reserves the right to apply the mobility requirement to all technologists at the entry, intermediate and working levels to meet the needs of the organization and to facilitate well-rounded training (i.e. provide exposure to varied instruments and systems, etc).

Work environment

Put your innovative problem-solving skills to work and join a resourceful and dynamic team that strives to make a difference by keeping Canadians safe and ensuring the smooth operation of an extensive and vital weather and climate observation network.

Environment and Climate Change Canada's atmospheric monitoring program includes a number of observational networks including weather radar, upper air stations that measure weather conditions aloft, lightning detection sites, buoys and ships at sea to measure winds, air pressure and the sea state, air quality networks and over a thousand surface weather and climate stations that measure things like temperature, humidity, precipitation, depth of snow, and winds among other elements. These largely automated data collection platforms must be maintained regularly, carefully calibrated and must communicate reliably in order to ensure that users receive accurate, real-time information, which is invaluable for the protection of life and property, and to ensure that our climate record is accurate so that we are able to detect, quantify and adapt to a changing climate.

Meteorological Technologists are the people who keep the weather data flowing. Conditions of employment include working outdoors in adverse weather conditions, travelling to and working in remote areas, and remaining on travel status for extended periods of time. Often the schedule alternates between one week in the office and one or two weeks in the field. On a typical day in the field you will get the opportunity to work with various types of basic physical and sensitive electronic data collecting equipment which may involve repair, calibration, testing, replacement or installation. The work can be physically demanding (hiking in rugged terrain, long drives, climbing, occasional digging and heavy lifting etc.) and long days where weather and field conditions may be poor. Getting to the weather sites and home again safely is a significant part of the challenge. In addition to surface weather networks, you will have the opportunity to advance and specialize in different networks such as Lightning, Upper air, Marine and Radar. Office time is typically spent reviewing the data from the stations, repairing, testing and packing equipment, completing inspection and travel reports, updating the metadata for the stations, and making future travel plans.

Intent of the process

ANTICIPATORY

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used to fill current and future vacancies of various tenures at the above noted work locations.

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:

Successful completion, by December 31, 2018, of a recognized and acceptable post-secondary educational program in one of the following fields: electronics or electrical technology, meteorology, environmental science, atmospheric science, northern science, engineering, instrumentation, wireless communications technology, radar, electrical theory, or another related field relevant to the position, OR an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
- Experience* in fieldwork.
OR
- Experience* in instrumentation maintenance and repair of electronic systems or field equipment.

*Experience can be obtained in an academic setting.

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

Education:
- Successful completion of a recognized and acceptable post-secondary program in electronics or electrical technology.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
- Experience as a surface weather observer or aerological observer.

- Experience in technical inspection.

- Experience in delivering technical training.

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

Various language requirements
depending on the position being staffed:
English Essential
Bilingual Imperative (BBB/BBB)
Bilingual Imperative (CBC/CBC)

Information on language requirements

Competencies:
- Communication

- Adaptability

- Working with Others

- Client Focus

- Thinking

- Accountability

- Action Management

- Commitment to Learning

- Organizational Awareness

- Stamina and Stress Resistance

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

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - (The Department is responsible for the security clearance process.)
Pre-appointment and periodic health evaluations.

- Valid driver's license.

- Requirement to work overtime as required and to adopt flexible work hours

- Requirement to travel to and work in remote areas and remain on travel status for extended periods of time for the purpose of conducting field work. (Methods of travel can include small aircraft, helicopter, boat, trucks, etc.)

- Requirement to work in adverse weather conditions.

- Requirement to accept assignments to various locations across Canada for the duration of the program and to be deployed as required.

- Requirement to work with or near hazardous materials.

- Requirement to lift and carry 20 kg up a flight of stairs. (Candidates will be tested to determine if they meet this requirement.)

- Requirement to successfully progress and graduate from the Apprenticeship or Professional Training Program (APTP) in the specified time frame.

** Candidates must meet and maintain the above conditions of employment for the duration of the developmental program (and/or in subsequent field work positions upon graduation of program).

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

One or more tests may be administered.

The Public Service Entrance Exam (PSEE) – Test of Reasoning 373 (TOR 373) may be used as an assessment tool for “Thinking” (competency). This test may be used on its own or as the final step in a two-part assessment, following an unsupervised version of the test (e.g., TOR UIT 372). This test can be administered as a paper-and-pencil test or as an e-test with the Public Service Commission's On-line Testing Facility (OLTF).

The Written Communication Proficiency Test (351) may be used to as an assessment tool for “Communication” (competency). This test can be administered as a paper-and-pencil test or as an e-test with the Public Service Commission's On-line Testing Facility (OLTF).

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks, performance appraisals, and/or samples of previous work may be sought.

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

You may be asked to 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/.

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.

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).

A work description is available upon request.

We thank all those who apply.

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.