Your library search skills retrieved the perfect job - Join our Library Team!

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

Tips for candidates who wish to apply:
••• The application process will take approximately 30 to 60 minutes to complete.
••• A cover letter is not required for this selection process.
••• When submitting your application, you will be asked for information about your education and experience. The system will prompt you with specific questions for each qualification. This requires that you provide additional details in a written text response thoroughly explaining where, when and how you obtained this education or experience. Ensure you answer the questions if applicable.
••• You will be asked to indicate which specific type of position (i.e. Cataloguing Technician, or Library Technician, or both) you are applying for.
••• You will be asked to identify which regional location(s) you are willing to work from and/or relocate to.

Duties

The Canadian Agriculture Library (CAL) is looking for collaborative, client-focused individuals to work in a dynamic team environment. CAL provides research support services and access to information resources to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Canadian Food Inspection Agency employees across Canada. As a member of the CAL team you will participate in the work of committees, teams and working groups in the department. In addition, you will perform the following specialized duties:

Cataloguing Technician Positions:
► You will perform original and derived cataloguing and classification of all formats of library materials according to established policies, practices and standards.
► You will conduct research in various databases to upload records into the Integrated Library System.

Library Technician Positions:
► You will provide library services including circulation, basic reference, client orientation, document delivery and interlibrary loans.
► You will perform bibliographic searches using automated library tools and information resources, the internet and databases to locate information for clients.
► You will participate in library related projects, including support for the maintenance of the Library’s Intranet site.

Work environment

The Canadian Agriculture Library (CAL) is one of the largest federal government libraries. The modern headquarters Library in Ottawa is located at the edge of the Central Experimental Farm, near the Baseline Road and Merivale Road intersection. The complex is equipped with a full gym and is conveniently located within walking distance to restaurants, shopping, banking, pharmacy and numerous other services.

As one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, AAFC is proud to celebrate our achievement in creating a diverse, respectful, and positive workplace where all employees are valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices and perspectives.

Intent of the process

Immediate Needs:
We are currently staffing Cataloguing Technician positions only. These positions will be staffed on a temporary basis for a one (1) year period duration (with the possibility of extension or permanent employment). These positions are located in Ottawa, Ontario.

Future Needs:
Library Technician positions may be staffed in various locations as needs arise.

Qualified candidates will also be placed in a talent pool to be used for staffing similar permanent or temporary positions. The work location and language profile requirements may vary according to the position being staffed.

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

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

EDUCATION:
Successful completion of a minimum two-year library technician program from a recognized post-secondary institution.

If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. Click on the link below to contact the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC).

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
Note: When answering the application screening questions (for experience qualifications below), you must be specific and provide concrete examples and details for each experience element, as applications will be screened on the information provided. Do not presume that the hiring board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history. Your résumé will only be used as a secondary source to validate the qualifications described.

For all of the experience qualifications below, we are looking for you to have gained the “recent experience” required within the last five (5) years.

Experience required for both Cataloguing Technician and Library Technician positions:
►Recent experience in searching and retrieving information from the Internet and bibliographic databases.
►Recent experience using library computer applications such as; integrated library systems, interlibrary loan systems, or bibliographic databases.

Experience required for Cataloguing Technician positions only:
►Recent experience in the cataloguing (original and derived) and classification of published material (print or online) according to AACR2R or RDA, LCSH and MARC standards.

Experience required for Library Technician positions only:
►Recent experience in providing library services in an academic library, special library, or research library in at least two of the following areas: Basic Reference; Interlibrary Loans; Circulation; Collection Maintenance, including shelving of library materials.

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

ASSET EXPERIENCE:
►Experience using the Millennium or Sierra Integrated Library Systems.
►Experience using the Dewey Decimal Classification system to classify documents.
►Experience using interlibrary loan or document delivery software such as VDX.
►Experience using Microsoft SharePoint (Collaborative tool).

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

Various language requirements
Cataloguing Technician Positions:
►Bilingual Imperative (BBB/BBB). You must be able to work in English AND in French (Reading, Writing and Oral proficiency)
►English Essential

Library Technician Positions:
►Bilingual Imperative (BBB/BBB). You must be able to work in English AND in French (Reading, Writing and Oral proficiency)
►English Essential

Information on language requirements

Second Language Writing Skills Self-Assessment
In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your writing skills in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

For more information, please consult:
Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills

KNOWLEDGE:
Knowledge required for both Cataloguing Technician and Library Technician positions:
►Knowledge of standard tools for the verification and location of bibliographic data.

Knowledge required for Cataloguing Technician positions only:
►Knowledge of standard tools, methods and procedures for the classification and cataloguing of library material.

Knowledge required for Library Technician positions only:
►Knowledge of basic reference research techniques.
►Knowledge of interlibrary loans and circulation practices and procedures.

COMPETENCIES:
Competencies required for both Cataloguing Technician and Library Technician positions:
►Adaptability
►Initiative
►Teamwork
►Interactive Communication

Competency required for Library Technician Positions only:
►Client Focus

Conditions of employment

►Reliability Status Security Clearance
►Ability and willingness to work overtime.
►Ability and willingness to work 7.5 hours per day, Monday through Friday between 7 am and 6 pm.
►Ability and willingness to retrieve material from library stacks area which may entail moving mobile shelving, and using step stools to access upper shelves. This is required for the Ottawa and Saint-Hyacinthe locations.

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

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply through the "Apply online" link below. Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language(s) in their application.

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

Communication for this process will be sent via email. 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).

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to a position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification, if applicable.

All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the candidates. A written examination and an interview may be administered. Reference checks will be sought. Proof of your education credentials will be required at a later date.

Second language evaluation (SLE) required for Bilingual positions:
If you have valid SLE results, you will be asked to provide proof.
If you need to be retested (reading, writing or oral), you will be scheduled.
If you have never had a second language evaluation, you will be scheduled for the reading and writing tests. If you are successful on the reading and writing, then you will be scheduled for an oral evaluation.

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.