Aquatic Science Technician / Fisheries Technician (Salmon Assessment)

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

Reference checks may be sought.

Depending on the position to be staffed, any of the asset 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.

Duties

The Yukon Transboundary Rivers Aquatic Science / Fisheries Technician is a unique and multi-faceted, field-based position that provides the opportunity to contribute to the conservation and management of Pacific salmon populations in Canada’s north. Positions assist with the delivery of a variety of salmon (adult, juvenile and smolt) stock assessment activities throughout the Yukon, northwestern British Columbia and at U.S. / Canada joint project sites located in Alaska. Duties include:

• Working with Senior Technicians and Biologists to collect, compile and report field project data, ensuring data collection, compilation and primary analysis is accurate and complete;
• Assisting with and delivering commercial, recreational or subsistence fishery monitoring activities including: data collection, data validation, bio-sampling collection, and Coded Wire Tagged salmon head recovery;
• Using and maintaining databases to record and store salmon stock assessment and catch information;
• Ensuring the custody, maintenance, tracking, and repair of equipment, vessels and vehicles;
• Training and working with partner survey crews to carry out biological sampling of salmon stocks for both escapement and fishery monitoring programs;
• Assessing and collecting environmental data consistent with established protocols; and
• Taking all reasonable and necessary precautions to ensure the safety and health of oneself and co-workers within the work environment

Intent of the process

This process is anticipatory in nature and is intended to create an annual pool of qualified individuals from which hiring managers may staff various EG-03 determinate (Term or Casual) positions at full or part-time hours on a seasonal basis within the Yukon Transboundary Rivers Area – specifically work sites in Yukon and northwestern British Columbia. This process is not intended to staff indeterminate (permanent) positions.

To be eligible for appointment, a candidate who qualifies in the pool must provide proof they meet the Conditions of Employment prior to appointment. Candidate appointments will typically occur between the period of April and September with an anticipated duration of 12 to 16 weeks. In certain cases, operational needs may result in opportunities outside of the period identified or for shorter or longer duration.

Important Note: Positions will typically require a candidate to deploy to an isolated field camp(s) (i.e., overnight travel away from the Whitehorse, Yukon office) for periods of 5 to 30 days. The majority of field camps are located at sites where cellular service is unavailable.

Candidates who qualify for the pool will remain in the pool until such time as the pool is terminated or a candidate rejects three (3) offers of employment at the EG-03 level. If a candidate is removed from the pool due to lack of availability (i.e., rejection of three (3) offers of employment) the candidate must re-apply through the annually advertised process to be considered for future opportunities.

As this process will not be used to staff long-term (indeterminate) positions, only candidates that are interested and available to work in limited duration appointments should apply. Students, recent graduates or individuals interested in seasonal work opportunities are encouraged to apply. The candidate pool may also be used to staff positions at a lower level (e.g., EG-01).

Note to candidates who qualified in Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Selection Process 16-DFO-PAC-EA-RgExOff-184594 or 17-DFO-PAC-EA-RgExOff-216224: Candidates who qualified in this assessment process and were notified of their qualification at the EG-03 or EG-04 level(s) with resulting placement into the pool need not reapply through this process.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 9,999 words (maximum)

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

Education:
A secondary school diploma OR an employer-approved alternative (such as a satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission test approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma) OR an acceptable combination of education, training and experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Experience conducting biological sampling
• Experience collecting, entering and managing scientific data
• Experience operating and maintaining field equipment

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

Education:
A Degree or Diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization relevant to the position (for example: Fisheries, Aquaculture, Biology, Aquatic Science, Natural Resource Management or Environmental Science).

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Experience conducting assessment of Pacific salmon stocks
• Experience conducting assessment of fish stocks or populations
• Experience working in northern or remote environments
• Experience working for Fisheries and Oceans Canada in a technical capacity
• Experience assuring data quality and integrity
• Experience in the operation of power driven (jet or propeller) vessels
• Experience working in areas inhabited by bears AND handling or operating bear deterrents. (Note - Bear deterrents include one or more of the following: capsaicin (pepper) spray, electric bear fencing, firearms (either non-lethal or lethal munitions), or acoustic munitions / scare cartridges (bear bangers or screamers).)
• Completion of Canadian Boating Safety Training Course and possession of Pleasure Craft Operator Card

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of the life history and biology of Pacific salmon
• Knowledge of the methods and equipment used to assess fish populations
• Knowledge of Canadian workplace safety requirements

Competencies:
• Initiative
• Reliability
• Integrity
• Respect

Abilities:
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to solve problems

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

Candidates may be further assessed against each of the following Asset Knowledge qualifications at subsequent stages of the assessment process.

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of salmon in northwestern British Columbia or Yukon.
• Knowledge of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s mandate, goals and objectives related to the conservation and management of Pacific salmon
• Knowledge of the stakeholders, processes, or First Nations interests regarding northwestern British Columbia or Yukon River salmon

Organizational Needs
• In support of achieving a diversified workforce and meeting its employment equity goals, selection may be limited to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with a Disability, Visible Minorities, and Women.

Operational Requirements

Candidates who are recruited through this process must be willing and able to:

• Travel by boat, small fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopter
• Operate small boats and all-terrain vehicles
• Operate 4x4 trucks in a variety of on and off road conditions, including towing trailers of a variety of sizes and configurations
• Work weekends, overtime and variable hours for continuous durations up to 10 weeks, including “shift” schedules, as required to meet operational needs
• Work and live in remote and isolated field camps, often under challenging conditions such as inclement weather, with limited amenities for significant periods of time
• Participate in periods of strenuous physical work** associated with field activities and equipment maintenance
• Maintain camp facilities and enable camp operations, in certain circumstances including preparation of crew meals and camp maintenance.
• Attain and maintain occupational health and safety certifications to meet Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Canada Labour Code occupational health and safety standards
• Complete SwiftWater Rescue Training and work in lake and swiftwater environments
• Complete Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Small Vessel Training
• Complete Wilderness First Aid Certification
• Complete Bear Awareness Training
• Complete Aviation Egress Training*
• Fulfil duties at joint U.S. / Canada project sites located in Alaska*
• Complete the Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s non-enforcement firearms evaluation to demonstrate proficiency to carry a firearm (shotgun) for protection against wildlife*

**Strenuous physical work is considered occasionally pushing or pulling objects up to 50kg and regularly carrying, lifting, pushing, or pulling weights up to 25kg.

*Required for certain positions.

Conditions of employment

• Valid Class 5 driver's license (or equivalent)
• Valid first aid certification (minimum level 1 with CPR)
• Valid Firearms Possession and Acquisition License (PAL)*
• Candidate must hold a valid passport with no restrictions on travel and be willing and able to travel to the United States*
• Security Clearance: Reliability Status**
• Health Canada Medical Clearance**

Condition(s) of Employment must be met and maintained throughout the duration of appointment.


*Required for certain positions.

**For candidates who do not currently possess the required clearance, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will initiate the clearance screening process in advance of appointment. Appointment is conditional on successfully meeting all identified clearance requirements.

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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is seeking candidates who are interested in short term appointments of various durations during the field program period (typically, April through September). Successful candidates appointed to positions will receive on-the-job training and hands-on experience with the delivery of field projects and assessment programs.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the 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. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

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.