Senior Conservation Scientist

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

In preparing your application, you will be asked to answer screening questions; take the time to answer the questions with as much detail and clear and concrete examples as possible. Be specific about projects you’ve worked on; where (occupational title, organization)? When (from, to)? What was your role? What were the tasks involved and the actions taken?

Clear and concrete examples are defined as descriptions in which you explain in detail the considerations you had, the actions and steps you undertook as well as the final outcome/results, in order to gain the experience you are describing.

Should you indicate as a response "See my résumé", "Yes I do", "I have five (5) years’ experience in the field", "I acquired this experience working for organization XYZ", "I meet this qualification" or similar statements, it will not be accepted. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or missing information.

Finally, if the examples you provide speak of experience that was acquired in a team setting, please be specific as to your exact role within this team as it is your experience the board will be looking to assess and not that of your team.

Lack of concrete examples and details may result in your application being rejected.

Please note that if you succeed at the screening stage, you will need to provide two (2) to five (5) copies reprints of peer-reviewed articles you published, ideally as first author.

Duties

One of CCI’s strategic directions is to build expertise in the conservation of modern materials. CCI’s clients reported that one of their major challenges is in dealing with non-traditional materials, including objects made from synthetic polymers such as plastics, works of art incorporating video and other technological components (time-based media), and archival materials that are electronic in origin (born digital media). CCI is building capacity in these areas in order to address the breadth and complexity of challenges experienced by clients.

Further recent consultations about issues related to modern collections re-affirmed that plastics are of top concern to clients. As a response, CCI is opening a senior conservation scientist position to help lead its efforts in the conservation of modern materials. This position will identify strategic issues related to synthetic polymers (and potentially other materials found prevalently in modern/contemporary cultural heritage) and will develop and lead new research projects in response to these issues. This position will provide expert advice and services and will deal with complex inquiries or requests from external or internal clients to provide authoritative scientific expertise, interpretation and results based on research and testing. This position will communicate concepts, ideas and research results to national and international client groups, scientists, conservators, other heritage professionals and non-technical individuals through written reports and publications or oral communications.

Intent of the process

The intent of this selection process is to staff one (1) indeterminate position.

A pool of partially or fully qualified candidates resulting from this selection process may be created and may be used to fill same or similar positions with various linguistic requirements, various security requirements as well as various tenures.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION:

A master of science or doctorate from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in cultural heritage conservation science, polymer chemistry or another science discipline relevant to the position OR an acceptable combination of education, training and experience. A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a science discipline relevant to the position is mandatory.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:

Ex1. In depth and recent* experience in applying science to the study of synthetic polymer-based cultural heritage.
Ex2. In depth and recent* experience in using instrumental methods to characterize synthetic polymers (such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography, thermal analysis, etc.).
Ex3. In depth and recent experience* in conducting scientific research and in carrying out bibliographic research.

*In depth and recent experience is defined as follows: at least five (5) years of carrying out the activity as a principal function within the last ten (10) years.

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

English or French

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:

K1. Knowledge of chemical and physical properties of synthetic polymers.
K2. Knowledge of degradation processes affecting synthetic polymers.

ABILITIES:

A1. Ability to plan projects and establish priorities.
A2. Ability to analyze, synthesize and evaluate information to address complex problems.
A3, Ability to foster working relationships, build partnerships and maintain effective communications with a range of internal and external stakeholders from varying disciplines.
A4. Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
A5. Ability to communicate effectively orally.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:

PS1. Technical leadership
PS2. Client focus
PS3. Focus on results
PS4. Initiative
PS5. Innovation

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

ASSET KNOWLEDGE:

AK. Knowledge of the mission and services of the Canadian Conservation Institute.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Willingness and ability to work overtime and to adopt flexible work hours.
Willingness and ability to occasionally work off site nationally and internationally.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

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

Only jobs.gc.ca online applications will be considered. If accessibility to jobs.gc.ca is unavailable, please email your résumé by email to Marie-Pier Juneau at and indicate the reason why you cannot apply online. Verification/validation of your request will be required before your application is accepted.

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent.

ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

An exam, an interview and reference checks may be part of the candidate’s assessment.

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

You are not required to meet the asset qualification. However, if you meet it, you are strongly encouraged to demonstrate it by answering the Asset Qualification question in the exam or interview. Not answering it will not result in your application being rejected, but it is noted that it may be used at any stage in the process and may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be considered for an appointment. Although the asset qualification is not essential for job, it would benefit the organization or improve the way of doing the work for the present or the future.

Any travel expenses incurred by candidates to attend evaluations under this recruitment process will be the candidate's responsibility.

Candidates invited to an interview will be required to bring proof of their education credentials, in the form of a diploma or official transcript as well as a proof of citizenship.

All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, could be used to evaluate the candidates.

COMMUNICATIONS

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.

For this process, we find that email is the most efficient way to communicate with you. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts emails from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate information is provided and updated as required. If you do not wish to receive your correspondence and results by e-mail, it is also your responsibility to inform us.

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.