Veterinary Science 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

We would like the respondents to include their resume and a covering letter in 1,000 words (maximum) “which can be used to introduce yourself, and highlight your education, experience and other qualifications. Although there is no specific format required for the covering letter it may be used to assess your ability to communicate in writing.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to fill 1 indeterminate full OR part time position.

The result of this selection process will be to create a pool of qualified candidates from which future permanent and/or temporary vacancies may be filled for positions within the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 1,000 words (maximum) "We would like the respondents to include their resume and a covering letter in 1,000 words (maximum) “which can be used to introduce yourself, and highlight your education, experience and other qualifications. Although there is no specific format required for the covering letter it may be used to assess your ability to communicate in writing."

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

Graduation from a recognized school of Veterinary Medicine, defined as: Graduation from a veterinary school accredited or approved by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA); or Graduation from another veterinary school and holding a Certificate of Qualification granted by the National Examining Board (NEB) of the CVMA.

Degree equivalency

Occupational Certification: Eligibility for membership in a Canadian veterinary association, defined as: current members of a Canadian veterinary association with a license recognized by the CVMA; and non-members of Canadian veterinary associations holding a Certificate of qualifications granted by the National Examining Board (NEB) of the CVMA

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Thinking things through
Planning and organizing
Decision-making
Showing initiative and being action oriented
Interactive Communication
Effective interpersonal relationships

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

Asset Education:
Graduation with either a Master or PhD in veterinary epidemiology, microbiology or pathology.

Degree equivalency

Asset Experience:
Experience working with laboratory animals in a University Lab Animal Facility or Government Research Lab or other biological or pharmaceutical company
Experience with Animal Care Committees and/or Post Approval Monitoring
Experience in reviewing, researching, and analyzing scientific and technical information and in the production of scientific reports

Asset Knowledge:
Knowledge of national oversight organizations, regulations and guidance on animal care and use.
Knowledge of zoonotic and other rare or emerging pathogens of Public Health concern in Canada.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of one or more of the following areas; infectious disease models, vaccine trials or drug trials using laboratory animals.

Organizational Needs:
The Public Health Agency of Canada is committed to Employment Equity. In order to ensure a diversified workforce, preference may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one or more of the following Employment Equity groups: aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minority groups provided the candidates meets all essential qualifications listed on the job opportunity notice and any applicable asset qualifications(s).

Operational Requirements:
Willing and available to work irregular hours (e.g., nights, weekends, statutory holidays).
Willing and available to work overtime.
Physically able to safely carry 20 kg for a minimum of 15 feet.
Willing to participate in mandatory training such a Respect in the Workplace, WHMIS, TDG, First – Aid/ CPR/ AED and spill trainings.
Willingness to abide by strict biosecurity protocols which may require showering out of containment levels and/or abiding by certain restrictions on contact with livestock outside of the workplace.
Willing and able to work in environmentally challenging / physically demanding conditions and with pathogens in high security laboratory biocontainment or with potential allergens.
Security clearance under the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (HPTA) may be required for certain laboratory positions.

Conditions of employment

Security Clearance Candidates must participate in the security clearance process prior to employment.
Medical Clearance Candidates must participate in the medical clearance process prior to employment.
Medical Surveillance Candidate must participate in the Medical Surveillance Program (Occupation Health) which may require certain vaccinations and medical clearances to work in the animal facility/ies.
Protective Equipment Candidate must wear Personal Protective Equipment, such as a positive pressure suit, as part of the mitigation measures indicated in Risk Assessments associated with containment level/s and Animal Use Documents.

Any of the following conditions of employment may be required for an appointment from the pool:

Willingness to be on standby during off-duty hours. When on standby, willing and available to be called back to work any time outside normal working hours (e.g., nights, weekends, statutory holidays).

Candidates must meet and maintain the above condition(s)of employment throughout their employment.

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: Candidates must meet each essential qualification to be appointed to the position. A candidate may be appointed to the position even though he/she does not meet any or all of the asset qualifications, operational requirements or organizational needs. However, meeting these criteria is desirable and may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. In the event that there are as many candidates who meet the essential qualifications as there are vacancies, the manager may decide not to assess some or all of the asset qualifications, operational requirements or organizational needs.

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.

All communication throughout the entire staffing process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

Your cover letter and résumé may be used to evaluate the ability to communicate effectively in writing.

We will communicate with applicants by e-mail. It is your responsibility to verify your e-mails regularly to ensure that you do not miss out on any opportunities. Failure to respond in the prescribed timeframe will result in your application not being referred to the hiring manager. The applicant shall ensure that the e-mail address provided is valid and make sure this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users.

Based on the hiring division’s needs, additional essential qualifications, asset qualifications, organizational needs, operational requirements and/or conditions of employment may be identified and applied during the assessment and/or selection of candidates.

We may assess the essential and asset qualifications using interviews, written tests, reference or a combination of these methods.

Other sources of information (such as performance agreements, work samples, board member knowledge, etc.) may be used to assess the criteria identified on the Statement of Merit Criteria.

Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
- Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience.
- Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications.

Proof of education may be requested if you are considered for a position. 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/

If you do not respond to our communications, we will interpret this as your withdrawal from the process.

Are you ready to apply?

To apply for any position, you need to first create a profile in the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS), which should only take about 10 minutes. Then, after ensuring you meet the position requirements, scroll to the bottom of the poster and click on "Apply online."

Work your way through the list of requirements, completing each section and saving as you go. Before submitting your application, please ensure that there are green check marks on every single category before submitting your application.

PSRS will automatically disconnect candidates without warning after 60 minutes if there is no activity. You need to save or move to a new screen to maintain your connection. Typing information without saving does not prevent you from being disconnected. Applicants may find it helpful to first use a word processing software to complete their responses using concrete and detailed examples, then copy and paste the responses into PSRS afterwards.”

If you have further questions on how to apply or experience technical difficulties with your application, please visit the following website: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/public-service-jobs/contact-us.html.

We will only accept on-line applications received via the Public Service Jobs site. Persons with disabilities or residing in locations that prevent them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.
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.