INVENTORY: Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Officer, Ab-initio Trainee

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 specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

Would you like to help vessels in distress? Prevent them from colliding? Do you enjoy a fast-paced environment? Then, we may have the job for you!

MCTS Officer Training involves the following two phases:

Phase I: The MCTS Ab Initio 23 week training course takes place at the Canadian Coast Guard College located in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The course consists of theory, practical applications and simulations. Here you will learn the basics.

Information on Marine Communications and Traffic Services Officer Training Phase I can be found at: http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/College-and-Careers/MCTS-Officer

Phase II: On- the-Job training (OJT) takes place at a regionally appointed MCTS centre. Working with an On-the-Job-Instructor, you will learn local geography, local and regional procedures while applying the national elements of Phase I training. The OJT varies according to MCTS centre and can last from 3–12 months. After successful completion of Phase II candidates are promoted to Marine Communications and Traffic Services Officers.

You will be required to successfully complete each phase of training before continuing to the next Phase and becoming an MCTS Officer.

Travel is necessary to complete the two Phases of training. To complete Phase I, travel is required to attend the Canadian Coast Guard College located in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Travel to the regional MCTS centre for Phase II may be required depending on residency at time of hiring. Travel expenses incurred during the two phases of training shall be covered.

During Phase I, you are paid an Ab Initio allowance of $350 per week less appropriate deductions. Also, $90 per week is deducted for meals and accommodations, while at the Canadian Coast Guard College.

For the On-the-Job Phase II training, you are appointed to the RO-01 group and level at a salary of $42111 per annum.

After successful completion of the Centre Designated Checkout of Phase II, you are appointed to the RO-03 MCTS Officer group and level with a salary beginning at $53938 and up to $70284 per annum.

Duties

Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Officers with the Canadian Coast Guard provide one of the first responses to ships and vessels in distress. They oversee the safety of waterways within Canada’s 200 mile limit by communicating with vessels, issuing weather bulletins and monitoring marine traffic to ensure that vessels entering Canadian waters are in compliance with Canadian Acts and Regulations.

The job is challenging, fast-paced and always interesting, but can be stressful and demanding. You speak with vessel captains and crews in all kinds of situations, and are often the first contact in a marine emergency or crisis. During a marine emergency, you act as a go-between for Search and Rescue and the vessel in danger, and are often the voice those in danger look to for advice and comfort. You need to be able to multi-task and manage many issues at once.

It’s a 24/7 world and we provide service to the marine environment 365 days of the year. With the exception of the Arctic, shipping never stops and neither do we. Consequently, you must be willing to accept shift work and work weekends and holidays.

Work environment

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) owns and operates the federal government's civilian fleet, and provides key maritime services to Canadians. As a Special Operating Agency of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the CCG helps DFO meet its responsibility to ensure safe and accessible waterways for Canadians. The CCG also plays a key role in ensuring the sustainable use and development of Canada's oceans and waterways.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to create an inventory of candidates to draw from to staff vacancies in our Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centres across Canada. Draws from the inventory are expected to be conducted in early March and early September of 2019. We encourage all candidates to ensure their applications are updated regularly to reflect their current qualifications. Please note that the inventory draw in early March will be used to fill available spots in Phase I training beginning in the Fall of 2019. The draw in early September 2019 will be used to fill available spots in Phase I training scheduled in Spring of 2020.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Various language requirements
Bilingual Imperative (BBB/BBB) for positions in MCTS Centres located in:
Port Aux Basques, NL
Halifax, NS
Sydney, NS
Les Escoumins, QC
Québec, QC
Iqaluit, NU
Prescott, ON

English Essential for positions in MCTS Centres located in:
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL
Placentia, NL
Sarnia, ON
Prince Rupert, BC
Victoria, BC

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

A secondary school diploma or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Competency in skills associated with MCTS Officer duties (Arithmetic, Checking, Coding, Memory, and Spatial Ability). Note: this will be assessed using the MCTS Aptitude Test.
Ability to keyboard (30 wpm with 95% accuracy).
Ability to communicate orally
Ability to communicate in writing.

Working with others
Client Service Orientation
Managing difficult situations
Adaptability
Judgement and decision making
Initiative

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

In support of the Nunavut Agreement, Nunavut Inuit will be selected for appointment for positions located in Nunavut ahead of all others (including persons with priority entitlement and Veterans).

Willingness to relocate based on operational requirements.
Willingness to work overtime upon successful completion of all Phases of MCTS Officer training.

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

Health Canada pre-placement evaluation;
Willingness to accept seasonal employment (Prescott, ON and Sarnia, ON and Iqaluit, NU);
Willing and able to travel;
Willing and able to accept shift work;
Willing and able to work weekends.

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 designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

Candidates will be assessed against essential qualifications (including second language proficiency) and may be required to meet asset qualifications and/or organisational needs, depending on the specific needs of the position. Candidates must meet the pass mark for each of the essential qualifications. Candidates must meet each asset qualification to be used for appointment.

All assessments related to this selection process will be administered in Canada.

Please note that candidates (including employees of the Public Service) will not be considered to be in travel status or on government business and that travel costs will not be reimbursed. Consequently, candidates will be responsible for their own travel costs.

Successful completion of the Marine Communications and Traffic Services Aptitude Test is required. Those candidates who have previously successfully completed the MCTS Aptitude Test are not required to rewrite, but will be required to submit the successful results.

Applicants are encouraged to work on their keyboarding skills before the assessment date as a higher proficiency in keyboarding may be used to determine right fit.

Top-down ranking may be applied during the selection process.

Candidates will be communicated with via e-mail. In your application, please include the e-mail address that you wish to use for communication purposes throughout this recruitment initiative. It is your responsibility to verify your e-mail account on a regular basis.

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.

Poster may be provided in Inuktitut upon request.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

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