Ice Service Specialist - Apprenticeship and Professional Training Program

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Are you looking for an exciting, challenging and interesting career? If you can work independently and in a team environment, and if hands-on problem-solving, initiative and adaptability are terms that describe you, then an exciting career as an Ice Service Specialist at the Canadian Ice Service of Environment and Climate Change Canada awaits you.

The Canadian Ice Service (CIS) provides the most timely and accurate information about ice and icebergs in Canada's navigable waters. This ensures the safety of Canadians, their property and their environment by warning them of hazardous ice conditions in navigable Canadian waters. In addition, the expertise of CIS provides present and future generations of Canadians with sufficient knowledge about their ice environment, in order to support sound environmental policies.

The Apprenticeship and Professional Training Program for Ice Service Specialists (APTP-Ice) will ensure the availability of competent, qualified specialists by attracting and recruiting staff. The APTP-Ice will also provide full, rigorous training that will prepare specialists to work in any ice-covered part of the world and from different platforms (ships, helicopters, aircrafts, etc.).

New employees will progress through the APTP-Ice as EG-03 junior technologist trainees and EG-04 technologist trainees and then will graduate as EG-05 senior technologists. The training must be successfully completed no later than April 30 of the fourth year following the year of the hiring under the APTP-Ice; failing to achieve this will result in the new employee’s termination of employment.

Salary scale:

1) EG-03 : from $54 399 to $66 185*
2) EG-04 : from $59 842 to $72 804*
3) EG-05 : from $65 822 to $80 083*

* Salary currently under Review

KEY ACTIVITIES OF AN ICE SERVICE SPECIALIST

The incumbent receives theoretical and practical training in operational meteorology, in observation of sea and lake ice and icebergs, and in the principles and practices of observing, analyzing, recording and reporting of weather, sea and lake ice and marine oil pollution data both visually and by using remote sensing technology.

The training period may take approximately thirty-six to forty-two (36-42) months depending on operational requirements, and is part of the APTP-Ice.

The incumbent receives approximately eight to ten (8-10) months of in-class training, interspersed with approximately eight to ten (8-10) months of field training (practicums) to acquire practical work experience, followed by a checkout period of approximately eighteen to twenty-eight (18-28) months. Field practicums are staged in various locations including the Arctic and outside Canada (e.g. Greenland/Denmark, Alaska, the U.S. states around the Great Lakes basin).

The incumbent works continuously under the general direction of the course director and under the close supervision of a group of instructors and supervisors.

Duties

ROLE OF ICE SERVICE SPECIALIST

Ice service specialists (ISS) are experts in aerial and ship observation, including observation of ice conditions and weather conditions. They are professionals who deliver advice and services in two areas that fall under the jurisdiction of various Government of Canada departments and agencies, including Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard. As well, they occasionally serve other clients inside and outside the government, such as National Defence, the marine industry and the general public.

ISS’ services contribute to the fulfillment of some departments’ mandate, mainly:

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) provides information about weather, ice and icebergs (analyses, forecasts and warnings) to ensure the safety of Canadians involved in marine transportation, the fisheries and offshore oil development; the protection of human life and property such as ships and drilling platforms; and the protection of the marine environment by helping to prevent environmental disasters.

Canadian Coast Guard

The mission of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), a special operating agency within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, is set out in the Oceans Act and the Canada Shipping Act.

The CCG icebreaking program, in partnership with the CIS, helps maritime traffic move safely and efficiently through, or around, ice-covered Canadian waters. Clients of the program include the commercial maritime industry, ferries, fishing vessels, ports and Arctic communities.

Fisheries and Oceans

Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) guiding legislation includes the Oceans Act, the Fisheries Act and the Species at Risk Act.

ISS works closely with DFO to provide information essential to its mandate (scientific projects in the Canadian Arctic, re-supplying of communities, research and development, and other fields).

PROFILE / CLIENT SERVICE RESULTS

In class and on-the-job training in the theory and principles of operational meteorology, sea and lake ice and icebergs, and in the principles and practices of observing, analyzing, recording and reporting of weather, sea and lake ice, icebergs data both visually and by using remote sensing technology. Knowledge is applied through classroom exercises, simulations of an operational office, and practical exercises in operational offices and onboard ships, aircraft and helicopters, with emphasis on learning on the job.

Intent of the process

An anticipatory pool of qualified candidates will be created and could be used to offer initial appointments on an indeterminate (permanent) basis at the EG-03 level then progressing up to the EG-05 level conditional upon the successful completion of the APTP-Ice. If indeterminate employees of the core public service are selected within this process, acting appointments, assignments and secondments could be made in the course of the developmental program until the EG-05 indeterminate appointments are made.

Positions to be filled: 10

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION
College or university education with preference given to those who have education and/or experience in a related position such as maritime operations, meteorology, remote sensing, environmental studies and/or atmospheric sciences. Consideration will also be given to those with a combination of High school diploma and direct and significant experience in maritime operations and/or weather.

Degree equivalency

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

EXPERIENCE
Experience in remote or isolated locations
Experience in the field of marine oil pollution
Experience in the marine, aviation or military environment
Working experience as a weather observer
Experience as a crew member aboard ships
Experience in the analysis of data acquired by remote sensing

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

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of the mandate of the Canadian Ice Service and its main clients
Knowledge of continental, national and regional geography
Knowledge of computer technology in the fields of imagery, Geographic Information System (GIS) and communication, such as data transfer

COMPETENCIES
Initiative
Effective interpersonal relations
Flexibility
Judgement
Multi-tasking

ABILITIES
Ability to organize, review and analyze technical data
Ability to give advice and make recommendations
Ability to analyze and solve problems
Ability to communicate effectively orally
Ability to communicate effectively in writing

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

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of radio communication
Knowledge in marine or air navigation
Knowledge in basic meteorology

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

Obtain and maintain a valid certificate from Health Canada in accordance with Canadian Ice Service standards for field work.

Obtain and maintain a valid Canadian driver’s licence.

Obtain and maintain a valid Canadian passport.

Obtain and maintain a General (radio) Operator Certificate (GOC).

Obtain and maintain any training in order to maintain safety and competencies to carry out the required tasks as determined by the employer.

Be mobile in order to meet the organization’s operational needs. Operations cover, but are not limited to, the following regions:
• Eastern Canada
• Western Canada
• Great Lakes
• Arctic
• Greenland
• Alaska
• Outside of North America on rare occasions

Willingness and ability to work or take training in remote regions and be away from home base for extended periods (from four to eight weeks).

Accept to be deployed and/or relocated elsewhere in Canada, at the employer's request, to meet operational needs.

Work at the position's home office, especially before and after assignments.

Work at the Employer's Headquarters.

Travel on short notice.

Willingness to work overtime, seven days a week with varying shifts dependent on operational requirements while on assignment, for extended periods (from four to eight weeks).

Ability to work and/or travel at sea or by air and in a variety of terrains and degrees of isolation for various periods of time and in all weather conditions.

Be able to carry out work responsibilities in stormy sea conditions or onboard aircraft experiencing turbulence, which can result in physical discomfort.

Ability to work in operational offices for various clients in different locations.

Wear a uniform and use survival and/or safety clothing and equipment.

Willingness and ability to work in Canadian Coast Guard regional offices and other clients offices.

At times, share cabin accommodation onboard ships.

A commitment to follow all other courses in order to keep employee's skills up to date and perform the required tasks.



Applicants must meet the above employment conditions and maintain them throughout employment.

Applicants must successfully complete the APTP-Ice including field training. In the case of an internal candidate, applicants must obtain approval from their home organization for an assignment/secondment agreement during training.

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

NOTE
Applicants must have all the essential qualifications to be appointed to the position. An applicant can be appointed to the position even if he/she does not have any of the assets qualifications. However, meeting those criteria is preferable and may be a deciding factor in choosing who to appoint. If the number of applicants who meet the essential qualifications is equal to the number of vacant positions, the manager may decide not to assess the applicants against some of the asset qualifications.

* In order for an assignment or secondment to be possible, the home organization must always approve the assignment or secondment; otherwise the assignment or secondment is not possible.

All job applications must be submitted through the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS). Only the job applications received through the PSRS site will be accepted. All applications must be provided on-line. Do not fax or mail in hard copy documents as these will not be accepted. It is imperative that candidates provide accurate contact information and update it if need be.

Your résumé must clearly demonstrate how you meet the indicated requirements.

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.

Candidates who submit their application for this selection process must indicate on their application a valid e-mail address and ensure that this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these kinds of e-mails).

A proof of Canadian citizenship must be provided at a later date (birth certificate, valid Canadian passport or citizenship certificate).

You must provide proof of your education credentials and you will have to show an original copy of these documents. Candidates who possess foreign credentials must provide a proof of Canadian equivalency. Please consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for more information at http://www.cicic.ca.

Candidates have the right to participate in the appointment process in the Official Language of their choice and are asked to indicate their preference in their application.

Candidates who meet the educational requirements will be assessed against the Statement of Merit Criteria hereby available, using the following tools: written exam, interview and reference check. Pass marks will be established for each essential qualifications. However, achieving the passing mark is not a guarantee of an appointment or that candidates will be put through the next stages of the assessment process. A cut off score may be used and top-down approach may be used at any step if there is a sufficient number of candidates to meet the needs.

Written exams and interviews will be held between March and May 2019.

The Initial Appointees Integrated Relocation Program stipulates that all newly appointed employees to the Federal public service can claim expenses for relocation within the limitations of the program. Please refer to the Relocation Directive of the NJC at: http://www.njc-cnm.gc.ca/directive/index.php?did=6&lang=eng and the Initial Appointees Relocation Program at: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/psm-fpfm/pay-remuneration/travel-deplacements/iairp-prinefp-eng.asp.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will be communicating only with the selected candidates once the screening process is completed.

The organizational need (employment equity) may be used to make an appointment in this process. The personal information remains confidential under the Privacy Act.

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.