Environmental Specialist

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

You will be required to show how you demonstrate the essential qualifications (i.e. education and experience) by answering online screening questions. You must provide concrete and detailed examples to clearly demonstrate how you meet the education and experience requirements listed in the essential qualifications section. The screening board cannot make any assumptions about your experience. It is not sufficient to say that you have the required qualifications or to list your current duties. One effective approach would be to write one or two paragraphs demonstrating that you have the required experience and ensure that clear and accurate details are provided. It is not sufficient to only state that the qualifications are met or to provide a listing of current or past responsibilities. Rather you must clearly demonstrate how, when, and where the qualification was met through substantiation by examples. Information on your described skills, experience, etc. provided in the screening questions should be supported by your resume. Failure to provide the above information in the format required may result in your application being rejected from the process. **NOTE: some of the screening questions have a specified word limit; any information provided beyond this specified word limit will not be considered.

Duties

Environmental Specialist

As part of the PSPC Environmental Services team, Environmental Specialists function as project managers and subject matter specialists in the delivery of projects and programs for the department as well as to other government departments. Duties are varied and may include any or all of the following activities: conducting studies, investigations, compliance assessments and audits on a variety of issues; analyzing and interpreting data to assess potential impacts of proposed activities and decisions; providing technical and investigative services in one or more subject matter areas or scientific disciplines related to their work; and, managing and monitoring adherence with terms and conditions of contracts with outside firms and consultants, directing implementation and certifying that services have been rendered. In addition, Environmental Specialists participate on internal and external committees or working groups on various issues related to the environmental field. They also support the development and implementation of regional and national environmental programs.

We are seeking to employ Environmental Specialists with interest and expertise in the following four areas. Candidates are encouraged to apply for as many of the streams that interest them.

Stream 1 – Environmental Management and Compliance

Coordinates and implements projects or programs related to environmental compliance, applying Federal or Provincial legislation/regulations/policy relating to environmental aspects such as halocarbons, fuel storage tanks and hazardous materials. Promotes environmental management through the application of the ISO 14001:2015 standard.

Stream 2 – Environmental Quality – Biological assessments

Coordinates and implements environmental impact assessments and/or environmental impact mitigation or environmental protection to meet the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

Stream 3 – Environmental Quality – Sustainable development and climate change

Coordinates and implements studies or plans leading to the application of sustainable development measures (e.g. renewable energy sources; energy- or carbon- reduction retrofits).

Stream 4 – Contaminated Sites

Coordinates and implements projects or programs related to contaminated sites assessments or remedial/risk management projects.

Work environment

Did you know that for a third year, Public Services and Procurement Canada has been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. We invite you to join an organization that is committed to ensuring an inclusive workplace and respect for all!

PSPC helps the Government of Canada serve Canadians. With a strong focus on quality customer service, we provide innovative common services such as real estate and building management, purchasing, banking, pay and pensions, and translation to other government departments, agencies and boards. By providing these centralized services to departments and agencies, we enable them to focus on what they do best: providing their programs and services to Canadians.

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified candidates will be created and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures (such as permanent, specified period or casual) based in Vancouver and Victoria within the Department of Public Services and Procurement Canada. Should the selected candidate already be a public servant, the pool could also be used for acting appointments.

Positions to be filled: 3

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

The following merit criteria are requirements for all positions. Candidates must describe in their application how they meet these merit criteria:

EDUCATION – COMMON FOR ALL STREAMS:

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in environmental sciences, environmental studies, environmental engineering, biology, ecology, chemistry, earth sciences, physical geography, or some other science relevant to the position.

Note: 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.

You must be prepared to provide the original or a certified true copy of your educational credentials. 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/indexe.stm.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE - COMMON TO ALL STREAMS:

• Recent* experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and with stakeholders/clients to develop and deliver environmental programs and projects.
• Recent* experience in interpreting and applying legislation or policy relating to the environment.
• Recent* experience in project management practices including scope development, schedule, budget development/control and/or risk management.
• Recent* experience reviewing or writing technical reports and providing advice and recommendations.

* RECENT experience is defined as within the last 5 years, immediately prior to the closing date of this job advertisement.

EXPERIENCE – SPECIFIC TO STREAM:

STREAM 1: Environmental Management and Compliance - Environmental Specialist
• Experience in coordination and implementation of environmental compliance projects or programs, applying Federal or Provincial legislation/regulations/policy relating to environmental aspects such as halocarbons, fuel storage tanks and hazardous materials.

STREAM 2: Environmental Quality - Biological - Environmental Specialist
• Experience in coordination and implementation of environmental impact assessments and/or environmental impact mitigation or environmental protection to meet requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (or latest revision).

STREAM 3: Environmental Quality - Sustainable development/climate change - Environmental Specialist
• Experience with coordination of studies or plans leading to implementation of sustainable development measures (e.g. renewable energy sources; energy- or carbon-reduction retrofits).

STREAM 4: Contaminated Sites – Environmental Specialist
• Experience in implementation of contaminated sites assessments/studies or remedial/risk management projects

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

COMPETENCIES – COMMON TO ALL STREAMS:
• Values and Ethics
• Thinking things through
• Engagement
• Excellence through results
• Client Service (Level 1)
For more information on the Client Service Competencies, please see the following link: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/sc-cs/index-eng.html

ABILITIES – COMMON TO ALL STREAMS:
• Ability to communicate effectively orally;
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT – COMMON TO ALL STREAMS:
• RELIABILITY AND SECURITY : Reliability Status
• Willingness and ability to work overtime and travel.
• Willingness and ability to work at construction sites.
• Possession of a valid Driver’s License or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with possession of a valid Driver’s License, within the limits of Treasury Board Policy.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION – COMMON FOR ALL STREAMS:
• Graduation with a master’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in environmental sciences, environmental studies, environmental engineering, biology, ecology, chemistry, earth sciences, physical geography, or some other science relevant to the position.
• Professional Accreditation including In Training designation (e.g., P. Eng., P. Geol., R.P. Bio., P. Ag., C. Chem.)
• Certificate as a Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute (PMI)

EXPERIENCE - COMMON TO ALL STREAMS:
• Experience in contract management and administration including: identifying requirements, developing scope of work and specifications, monitoring contractor progress and performance
• Experience working with federal, provincial or municipal environmental regulatory agencies and/or other related stakeholders such as indigenous peoples or non-governmental environmental organizations regarding environmental issues
• Experience in monitoring adherence to terms and conditions of contracts with consultants and professionals, including expenditure of financial resources, budget forecasting and/or risk management

SPECIFIC TO STREAM:

STREAM 1: Environmental Management and Compliance - Environmental Specialist
• Experience in the development and implementation of environmental management systems in accordance with the requirements of ISO 14001.
• Experience in addressing internal and external audit findings on Environmental Management Systems (EMS) components at site and departmental levels, based on ISO 14001 requirements.
• Experience in the development and delivery of training programs.
• Experience in providing environmental and facilities management services in an industrial site or facility (e.g. Shipyard or dockyard) with multiple stakeholders

STREAM 2: Environmental Quality - Biological - Environmental Specialist
• Experience in the development and implementation of biological studies pertaining to Pacific Region (BC/Yukon) ecosystems.

STREAM 3: Environmental Quality - Sustainable development/climate change focus Environmental Specialist
• Experience with management of greenhouse gas assessments.

STREAM 4: Contaminated Sites – Environmental Specialist
• Experience with providing technical services and or guidance in scientific disciplines linked to contaminated sites
• Experience with analysis and interpretation of data and the potential environmental impacts of proposed activities and decisions.

KNOWLEDGE:
Stream 1 – Knowledge of Environmental Management and Compliance
Stream 2 - Knowledge of Biological Assessments
Stream 3 – Knowledge of Sustainable Development and Climate Change
Stream 4 – Knowledge of Contaminated Sites

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS:

Placement of PSPC employees affected by work force adjustment.

Placement of employees subject to current or future reorganization.

Public Services and Procurement Canada is committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. This organizational need may be identified as part of the appointment decision. In such cases, qualified candidates who self-declare as members of a visible minority group, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities or women (in non-traditional occupations) would be considered.

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

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A test may be administered.

Please identify clearly for which position(s) you are submitting an application.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) of their choice.

A random and/or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment 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.