Molecular and Morphological Entomology Technician

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

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers. We welcome all applicants and strongly encourage candidates to self-declare if they belong to an Employment Equity designated group (i.e. Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities or Women).

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 2 full time permanent positions.

A pool of qualified and partially qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, and there is a temporary need, he/she may be considered for acting, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Diploma or degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in molecular biology/biochemistry, entomology or science program relevant to the position or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience with morphological examination of insects or arachnids, including handling, labelling, pinning, pointing and/or slide-making.
Experience generating DNA sequence data.
Experience working with and tracking large numbers of specimens, field samples and/or DNA extracts.

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

Graduation with Masters or Doctoral Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience contributing to the drafting of scientific papers.
Experience with photography of arthropod structures.
Experience writing computer scripts for bioinformatics.
Experience mining NGS datasets to identify and develop novel molecular markers for phylogenetic studies.
Experience generating NGS sequence data.
Experience training and directing people in a lab.
Experience designing PCR primers.
Experience uploading and manipulating specimen and sequence data within the NCBI-SRA and BOLD Systems.
Experience managing a molecular biology lab including ordering supplies and maintaining equipment.
Experience using computer applications to produce phylogenetic trees from morphological and/or molecular data.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

IF YOU HAVE FOREIGN CREDENTIALS, please follow the link below for information on how to obtain a degree equivalency. You must obtain an equivalency, at your own expense, in order to be considered for appointment into the public service.

Degree equivalency

Knowledge of how to process molecular data using alignment, cleanup and analysis software.
Knowledge of how to develop or adapt molecular protocols.
Knowledge of next generation sequencing (NGS) theory and methods.

Teamwork
Adaptability
Interactive communication
Initiative
Planning and organizing
Concern for safety

Ability to identify insects and arachnids under a microscope using taxonomic keys.
Ability to use fine manual dexterity for manipulation of very small, delicate arthropod specimens under a dissecting microscope.

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

Knowledge of biological classification and of insect taxonomy.
Knowledge of theory of morphological/ molecular systematics and phylogenetics.
Knowledge of Hymenoptera systematics.
Knowledge of Acari systematics.

In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, Persons with a Disability; Visible Minorities, Women.

Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to work in the field.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to work variable hours.
Ability and willingness to work with naphthalene.

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

ASSESSEMENT INFORMATION

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.

Various assessment tools may be used, such as, standardized tests, interviews, references, board member knowledge, etc.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

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.

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.

A test may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Asset qualifications may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

APPLICATION & CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.jobs.gc.ca.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 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.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

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.

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.