Forensic Technologist

Update: Closing date was modified from 2019-01-10 to 2019-01-07.

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

*** ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ***

All job applications must therefore be submitted through the jobs.gc.ca site.
To submit an application online, please select the button "Apply Online" below.

Persons who cannot apply online or persons with disabilities preventing them from applying online are asked to inform the contact persons responsible for this process and to contact 1-800-645-5605 prior to the closing date.

Candidates must clearly demonstrate in the screening questionnaire how they meet the education and experience criteria listed in the Essential Qualifications and Asset Qualifications if applicable. Please note that stating that the requirement has been met, and/or listing past or current responsibilities, does not represent adequate substantiation. Rather, you must provide concrete examples that clearly illustrate how you meet the requirement. Résumés may be used as a secondary source to validate the qualifications described; comments such as "refer to my attached résumé" will not be accepted and may result in your application being rejected.

Duties

Conducts forensic examinations and analysis of evidential materials using validated methods and procedures, maintains established casework performance standards, assesses results, interprets experimental controls and standards, documents findings, updates databases, performs technical and administrative reviews of casework, writes forensic laboratory reports as required and provides expert testimony in court.

Applies quality control processes and maintains chain of evidence in accordance with established laboratory accreditation standards and FS&IS policies, methods and standard operating procedures.

Performs basic maintenance, verifies calibration and operates relevant scientific instruments and equipment, and advises supervisors on malfunctions and the need for repairs or replacement.

Contributes laboratory bench experience and knowledge as a project team member to the development of new or revised methodologies, and reviews assigned sections of associated manuals and guides.

Maintains data and its integrity through consistent and accurate record keeping.

Prepares reagents, ensures accuracy in the preparation and standardization of solutions, and monitors expiry dates of reagents.

Work environment

National Forensic Laboratory Services (NFLS) is part of National Police Services. It operates as a single public laboratory system with three sites located in Ottawa, Edmonton and Vancouver.

NFLS provides forensic services in biology, firearms, toxicology and trace evidence for police from across Canada, excluding Ontario and Quebec who have their own public forensic laboratories for provincial and municipal investigations. NFLS also oversees the National Anti-Counterfeiting Bureau for all federal, provincial and municipal investigations.

Firearms and Toolmark Identification

This program performs examinations on firearms, tools, and related items. Scientists search the Canadian Integrated Ballistics Identification Network (CIBIN) to provide possible leads in firearms-related investigations. CIBIN is a database containing information about unsolved cases involving firearms.

Services also include:
◦legal classification and mechanical assessments
◦making associations of bullets and cartridge cases to firearms through comparative analysis
◦making impact damage assessments and range determination
◦restoring serial numbers
◦examining toolmarks
◦scientists may need to provide expert testimony in courts

Work is normally conducted in a laboratory environment where there is exposure to a variety of occupational hazards (biological, chemical, physical), some of which are not readily identifiable and as such an awareness of these risks must be maintained and appropriate safety procedures observed. As part of the criminal investigation process, there is lack of control over the pace of work and there is no tolerance for error.

Work Locations:
Ottawa: 1200 Vanier Parkway, Ottawa, ON
Vancouver: 5201 Heather Street, Vancouver, BC
NOTE: Vancouver laboratory will be moving by the end of 2019 to ‘E” Division HQ located on 14200 Green Timbers Way, Surrey, BC

*Please clearly identify which location(s) you wish to be considered for in your application.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff two positions on an indeterminate basis, with a linguistic profile of English essential and an RCMP Enhanced Reliability security clearance

A pool of candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions within the RCMP in the National Capital Region and Vancouver (BC) on an indeterminate or specified period (including term, acting, or assignment) basis, with various linguistic profiles and various RCMP security clearances.

Should a Civilian Member (CM) be found qualified and selected for appointment, the appointment will not result in a change of status to the Public Service (PS) category for the CM. Notification regarding the CM appointment will be sent to all applicable candidates who are within the area of selection and participated in the advertised process.

Should a Public Service (PS) employee be found qualified and selected for appointment, notification regarding the PS appointment will be posted accordingly on www.jobs.gc.ca.

(SEE OTHER INFORMATION)

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 3 references.

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

Education:
A secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives

Degree equivalency

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge of computer database entry and search.
Knowledge of safe handling practices for firearms.

Abilities/Skills:
Ability to communicate effectively orally.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing
Ability to manager own time
Ability to analyze results
Ability to work as part of a team.
Ability to function in a computerized environment

Personal Suitability:
Client Service Oriented
Flexibility
Dependability
Attention to detail

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

Certification:
Successful completion of the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course

Experience handling a variety of firearms such as: rifles, pistols, revolvers, shotguns, military & police automatic firearms and commercial sporting firearms

Experience related to laboratory and/or law enforcement practices

Experience with ballistic imaging databases (such as the Integrated Ballistics Identification System), or other database systems that utilize a comparative analysis of digitized information

Willingness and ability to travel
Willing and able to provide testimony in court
Willingness and ability to work overtime.
Willingness and ability to work in a police environment, including exposure to unsettling and/or graphic material.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - All applicants for positions within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will be subject to a thorough security clearance process which includes an interview wherein questions may include (but not limited to), reference checks, previous employment, on-line activities, credit checks, alcohol and/or drug use.

Medical Profile:
The candidate must obtain and maintain a valid medical clearance

• Work with and be exposed to hazardous chemicals and equipment.
• Work with chemicals and hazardous materials
• Work with and be exposed to biological samples
• Wear appropriate protective clothing and/or equipment.
• Maintain standing and/or sitting positions for extended periods of time.
• Move and/or lift items (up to 20kg)
• Adhere to laboratory safety standards and procedures.
• Work in cold rooms for limited periods in order to retrieve samples.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to drive fleet vehicle.
• Must be willing and able to testify in a court of law anywhere in Canada.

NOTE: Candidates must meet the applicable Conditions of Employments at the time of appointment and must continue to meet these during the period of appointment.

This position is comprised of an understudy training program. As part of the conditions of employment, the appointed candidate must successfully complete the understudy training program. Failure to meet this condition of employment may result in termination of employment or rejection on probation.

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

A written exam may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

A simulation/situational exercise or role play may be administered.

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

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

Acknowledgement of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process is completed.

You must provide proof of education credentials. If you obtained your degree outside Canada, it is your responsibility to demonstrate its equivalence, please take a look at the following link for more information: http://www.cicic.ca/383/foreign-credential-recognition.canada.

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.

Please identify clearly your substantive group and level and your employment status on your resume and/or application form.

If a qualified candidate has been selected and appointed on an indeterminate basis from the established pool, they will be removed from the pool. If a candidate is selected for a specified period (including term, acting, or assignment/secondment) appointment, they will remain in the pool for future offers.

Our means of communication with applicants is via e-mail. Please ensure to include a functional e-mail address, which will accept messages from unknown users (some e-mail systems block these types of e-mails). It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

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.