Stream 1: Aquatic Science Biologist, Stream 2: Physical 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

Candidates must clearly demonstrate in the screening questionnaire how they meet the education and experience criteria listed in the essential and asset qualifications. 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 resume" will not be accepted and may result in your application being rejected. Failure to provide this information in the requested format may result in your application being rejected.

Please note that your application or any information provided may be considered in the assessment of any of the essential or asset qualifications, including the ability to communicate effectively in writing. Should you wish to update or change any information on your application, it remains your responsibility to advise HR Staffing respectively.

As a science-based department, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) relies on a vibrant science program to provide data and information combined with expert scientific analysis and advice to directly support decision-making as well as policy and program delivery. The Ecosystem and Oceans Science Sector (the "Science" Sector) makes up approximately one-quarter of the workforce of DFO (excluding Canadian Coast Guard) and includes research scientists and biologists with broad range of expertise in ocean and freshwater research, as well as physical scientists, chemists, engineers, hydrographers, a range of technical and other scientific support staff, managers, science advisors, and administrators.

Duties

These Aquatic Science Biologist and Physical Scientists positions at DFO are diverse in their duties and required skill sets as they contribute to the full range of DFO's core areas of research.

In general terms, these positions are expected to: conduct field and/or laboratory activities; apply models to analyze and interpret data; and contribute to the preparation of technical reports and scientific publications in support of advancing the scientific understanding of Canada's aquatic resources and ecosystems. They are expected to deliver programs to support decisions by the various management sectors that affect Canadians and the aquatic resources of Canada.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is planning to hire Aquatic Science Biologists and Physical Scientists to focus on freshwater fish habitat science. These positions will contribute to research activities and provide science advice related to regulatory decision-making and policy development to support management programs (e.g. related to the protection of fish and fish habitat in Canada's freshwaters).

Intent of the process

A pool of candidates will be established and may be used to staff permanent or temporary (including some seasonal) vacancies within the Science Branch. This process may be used to staff similar positions of various tenures within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Gulf Region.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION

Stream 1: Aquatic Science Biologist
Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Stream 2: Physical Scientist
Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, with acceptable specialization in physics, geology, chemistry or some other science relevant to the position.

*Note (Stream 1 & 2):
The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Experience (Stream 1 & 2):
Experience contributing to the writing of technical documents, scientific articles or reports.

Stream 1: Aquatic Science Biologist
Experience in conducting (planning, implementation or coordination) scientific work for the collection of data related to biological or chemical or physical aquatic research in the laboratory or field.
Experience in collecting, analyzing, interpreting and managing samples or data associated with biological, freshwater or marine habitats studies, or stock or ecosystem assessments.

Stream 2: Physical Scientist
Experience in applying scientific and technical recognized methods and protocols for the collection of field environmental data or samples in freshwater or marine ecosystems.
Experience in collecting, analyzing, interpreting and managing environmental samples, data or remote sensing data sources.

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

EDUCATION (Stream 1 & 2)
Post-graduate degree from a recognized university in aquatic, biological, or physical and applied sciences with a specialization in a field relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE (Stream 1 & 2)
Experience in undertaking scientific fieldwork such as vessel based activities or working rivers, lakes or coastal locations.

Stream 1: Aquatic Science Biologist
Experience in using and/or developing advanced statistical or simulation models (statistical analysis software)
Experience in the assessment of the status of aquatic species, habitat, or ecosystems to generate science advice.
Experience in providing data management support and advice to scientists, technical staff, and management.
Experience assessing cumulative effects of environmental and anthropogenic stressors on aquatic ecosystems.

Stream 2: Physical Scientist
Experience in the field of river hydrology and river hydraulics as it relates to fish habitat analyses and environmental data collection.
Experience in physical, hydrological and biological field data collection, calibration and maintenance of sampling instruments within freshwater environments (GPS, pH meter, water temperature loggers, data loggers etc.).
Experience in the development of databases or the use and maintenance of large datasets.
Experience in field surveying principles, techniques and equipment.
Experience in using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or imaging processing software such as ArcGIS, PCI-Geomatica.

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

Various language requirements
The language requirements will vary according to the position to staff.
Various language requirements (English essential and bilingual imperative BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC, CCC/CCC)

Information on language requirements

ABILITIES (Stream 1 & 2)
Ability to communicate effectively orally.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to plan, organize, and establish priorities.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY (Stream 1 & 2)
Initiative
Judgment
Reliability
Effective interpersonal skills

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

KNOWLEDGE (Stream 1 & 2)
Knowledge of the biology and ecology of aquatic species in Atlantic Canada, including their habitat requirements.

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Willingness and able to travel for extended periods of time (for some positions).
Willingness and able to work flexible hours and overtime on short notice.
Willingness and able to work in harsh environments on vessels at sea or in remote field settings (for some positions).
Valid motor vehicle driver's license or mobility to the extent of the possession of a valid driver's license (for some positions).
Medical fitness in accordance with certification by Health Canada (for some positions).

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Valid motor vehicle driver's license or mobility to the extent of the possession of a valid driver's license(for some positions).
Medical fitness in accordance with certification by Health Canada (for some positions).

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

PLEASE APPLY ONLINE: Please submit your application online. We request that you DO NOT email, fax or mail in hard copy documents. Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line, are asked to contact(902) 426-4698 or toll free at 1-800-645-5605.

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.

Reference checks may be sought.
An interview may be administered.
A written examination may be administered.

Please ensure that your Personal Record Identifier (PRI) is included in your application.

Candidates invited to an interview will be required to bring proof of their education credentials, in the form of a diploma or official transcript. Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/

Candidates must meet all of the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position. A candidate may be appointed to a position even though he/she does not meet any or all of the asset qualifications or operational requirements. However, meeting these criteria is desirable and may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed.

Depending on the requirements of the position(s) being staffed from this process, for current or future vacancies, any or all of the asset qualifications, operational requirements, and organizational needs may be applied at the time of staffing. Candidates may be contacted and assessed against these criteria at any time during this process.

Please note that candidates can be eliminated by the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS) based on PSRS screening questions. Candidates may request to informally discuss their elimination at any point during the process. To do so, please contact the department at the coordinate(s) indicated on this poster.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your email and contact information are
maintained with the hiring board AND in your Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS) account. As all of the communication for this process will be conducted via the email address provided in your application AND via your PSRS account, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check for messages regularly and to ensure that your email address accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email or filter them to a junk mail folder). Failure to respond to key messages may result in your being eliminated from this process.

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.