Aquatic Science / Stock Assessment Biologist III

Important messages

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Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

Duties

The position is responsible for providing information, recommendations and advice based on scientific data and associated analysis to support the sustainable management of Pacific salmon stocks and fisheries. A principle focus of the duties involves working effectively within the framework and forums established pursuant to the Pacific Salmon Treaty. Specific tasks and functions include:

• the use of recognized and/or experimental scientific methods to determine Pacific salmon abundance;
• collecting, analyzing and interpreting biological and stock assessment data for the purpose of informing fishery management decisions;
• designing and implementing salmon stock assessment projects (including leading project coordination and supporting delivery);
• communicating information on the objectives, design and delivery of salmon stock assessment and research activities to various audiences;
• actively participating in collaborative salmon monitoring and research initiatives involving federal, state, provincial, territorial and indigenous governments; and
• developing science-based recommendations which support Canadian salmon fishery management and conservation interests in domestic and international forums.

Work environment

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) manages Canada's Pacific salmon stocks in a manner to achieve conservation goals while providing for sustainable fishery opportunities in accordance with domestic and international treaties. The Department’s commitment to science-based fishery management decisions which consider traditional and local knowledge relies on monitoring, data analysis, and recommendations produced by DFO’s salmon stock assessment program to generate pre-season forecasts, in-season estimates, and post-season evaluations. Given the international migration and distribution of Canada’s Pacific salmon stocks, DFO works closely with U.S. federal and stage salmon assessment and fishery management agencies to achieve obligations and its commitments established within the Pacific Salmon Treaty.

DFO is soliciting interest from dynamic individuals with a background in biology and statistics, who have an understanding of salmon stock assessment techniques, and who are interested in contributing to the Department’s work to maintain the health of Canada’s Pacific salmon stocks and sustainable fisheries. The ideal candidate will have well-developed technical communication skills and the ability to effectively convey complex scientific principles, objectives and outcomes to stock assessment scientists and biologists, fishery managers and the public. The work will involve contributing to, and cooperating with, diverse teams of Canadian and U.S. technicians, biologists, scientists and managers to produce information and advice on salmon stocks in B.C., Alaska and Yukon. In this regard, the selected candidate will be required to travel to the U.S. and must maintain their eligibility to do so (in accordance with both Canadian and U.S. requirements) as a condition of employment.

Intent of the process

This process is anticipatory in nature. The intent of the resulting pool will be to staff BI-03 positions for various tenures at full or part-time hours within the Yukon Transboundary Rivers Area (Whitehorse). It is anticipated that appointment to position(s) will occur after April 2019.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 5,000 words (maximum) "to express interest and include any other relevant information not submitted elsewhere within the application."

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

Education:
• 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:
• Experience designing and conducting fish stock or fish habitat assessments
• Experience conducting quantitative analysis of fish stock or fish habitat data
• Experience reporting on fish stock or habitat assessment, research, or monitoring projects

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

Depending on the position to be staffed, any of the following qualifications may also be deemed as an essential qualification and only candidates and persons with a priority entitlement who possess those qualifications will be considered for that specific vacancy. Please indicate if you possess any of the asset qualifications in your application.

Education:
• Masters or Doctoral degree from a recognized University with a specialization in natural, physical, or applied science or other specialization relevant to the position

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Experience working collaboratively with clients or stakeholders such as other government departments or agencies, non-government organizations, First Nations, or industry representatives
• Experience leading or participating in multi-disciplinary teams focused on science-based program delivery
• Experience in conducting and reporting on quantitative analyses of biological data related to Pacific salmon habitat, population dynamics, or stock assessments
• Experience in managing financial resources
• Experience in managing human resources
• Experience preparing and publishing peer reviewed literature or technical reports

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of the biology and ecology of Pacific salmon
• Knowledge of the biological escapement goal and sustainable yield principles used to support sustainable management of Pacific salmon fisheries
• Knowledge of methods used to produce annual forecasts of adult Pacific salmon abundance
• Knowledge of the (U.S. / Canada) Pacific Salmon Treaty

Competencies:
• Effective leadership and motivational skills
• Demonstrating integrity and respect
• Dependability
• Showing initiative and being action oriented
• Flexibility
• Thinking things through

Ability:
• Ability to communicate complex scientific concepts effectively (orally)

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

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of the biology and population ecology of Pacific Salmon stocks in northwestern British Columbia and southwestern Yukon
• Knowledge of the Transboundary Rivers Chapter of the Pacific Salmon Treaty

Abilities:
• Ability to plan and prioritize work and resources
• Ability to direct and supervise large teams working in remote locations

Organizational Needs:
• Employment Equity objectives may be considered in candidate selection

Operational Requirements:
• Willingness to travel, attend meetings, conduct field work, and work in remote locations for periods of up to 4 weeks in duration
• Willingness to travel by boat, airplane, and helicopter
• Willingness to work weekends/overtime
• Willingness to attain training and maintain certifications for mandatory Health & Safety and departmental requirements

Conditions of employment

• Health Canada Medical Clearance
• Possession of a valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence (or equivalent)
• Security Clearance: Reliability Status
• Candidate must hold a valid passport with no restrictions on travel and be willing and able to travel to the United States

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

IMPORTANT NOTE: Applicants must clearly demonstrate within their answers to the SCREENING QUESTIONS found within the online application how they meet each education and experience factor listed in the ESSENTIAL and ASSET QUALIFICATIONS by using concrete examples. Please note that it is not sufficient to only state that the qualification is met. Resumes may be used as a secondary source to validate the experiences described.

Failure to clearly demonstrate how you meet the ESSENTIAL and ASSET SCREENING CRITERIA (Education and Experience) may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information.

All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to the conclusion of the process, may be used for evaluation purposes.

An interview will be administered.

A written examination and other assessment methods may be administered.

Reference checks will be administered.

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.