Aquatic Science Technician 1

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

Duties

Identify the different types of juvenile and adult Pacific Salmonids.

Enumerate salmon by way of test fishery, fishway, counting fence, aerial counts, stream walks and other enumeration methods. Work within gillnet and seine Pacific Salmon fisheries from small rigid hull vessels. Collect and process biological samples for sex, age, lengths and DNA including the recording of associated data.

This position requires entering and managing basic data sets using applicable field forms to record field notes and data neatly and accurately and applicable software programs such as MS Excel, Access, Word and Outlook.

This position may require working and living in remote field camps, often under challenging conditions such as inclement weather, with limited amenities for extended periods of time. This may include working overtime, weekends, variable hours and shift work as required to meet operational needs. This position requires performing basic carpentry, repair and modify existing camp and sampling equipment, operate small boats, quads and vehicles, etc.

This position requires being away from home and friends for extended periods of time working long hours in trying conditions with little supervision. Work locations and duties subject to change on short notice to meet operational requirements.

Personnel may be assigned to provide operational office support to Stock Assessment biologists.

All field personnel are expected to undergo continual training for relevant courses such as swift water rescue, first aid with transport endorsement and non enforcement shotgun qualifying. Field personnel can expect to be required to work with other DFO sectors, representatives of Indigenous Fisheries organizations, DFO contractors, other Government Agencies and members of various stakeholder groups.

Intent of the process

Casual and term. This process may be used to staff similar positions in various locations of various tenures within North Coast Area (British Columbia).

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:
A secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives (a satisfactory score on the PSC test approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma; or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience).

Degree equivalency

Experience:
NOTE: Please note your application and answers to the screening questions will be used to assess your “Ability to communicate effectively in writing”.

• Experience working with fish, wildlife, the environment, biological sciences or wilderness activities.
• Experience operating and/or maintaining field equipment such as boats, motors, vehicles and mechanical equipment.

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

Education:
• Successful completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree in a field relevant to the knowledge requirements.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
NOTE: Please note your application and answers to the screening questions will be used to assess your “Ability to communicate effectively in writing”.

• Experience in biological sampling methods such as those used in the Stock assessment of Pacific salmon.
• Experience in working with public, private, industry groups, First Nations and/or other government agencies.
• Experience in the assessment of Pacific salmonids.
• Experience using applicable computer software programs such as MS Excel, Access and Word.
• Experience analyzing stock assessment data.
• Experience preparing technical or scientific reports.
• Experience working with Pacific Salmon and/or collecting and recording data pertaining to Pacific salmon.
• Experience operating and/or maintaining field equipment such as gill & seine nets and biological sampling or scientific equipment.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of Pacific salmon biology.

Abilities and Skills:
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Ability to follow health and safety guidelines.

Personal Suitability:
• Dependability.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Initiative.
• Judgement.

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

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of Pacific Salmon identification, life histories and methods for enumeration of Pacific Salmonids.
• Knowledge of biological sampling methods as used in the Stock assessment of Pacific Salmon and knowledge of applicable computer software, specifically MS Excel and MS Word.

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:
• Valid class 5 drivers licence.
• Valid Canadian Federal Firearms Possession & Acquisition License.
• Valid First aid certification Level 1 with transportation endorsement.
• Valid Swift water rescue training.
• Bear aware.
• Canadian Coast Guard Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
• SVOP (Small Commercial Vessel Operator Proficiency) certification.
• MEDA3 (Marine Emergency Duties) certification.
• Radio Operator Certificate (Marine).

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Conditions of employment:
• Willing and able to work overtime, weekends and variable hours as required by operational needs.
• Willing and able to work in remote field camps for extended periods of times (several weeks) away from home and family.
• Willing and able to work in and around lakes, river (swiftwater) and marine environments.
• Willing and able to work in inclement weather with limited amenities for extended periods of time and endure hardships such as insects, wildlife, angry public.
• Willing and able to work with and travel using, helicopters, boats, small planes, quads and vehicles.
• Willing and able to perform strenuous field work associated with field activities and equipment maintenance such as hiking along rivers packing heavy field gear, installing and modifying enumeration and sampling equipment.
• Willing and able to complete and update related health and safety and work site specific training.
• Willing and able to attain and maintain certifications as may be required to meet Departmental health and safety standards.
• Valid Health Canada medical.
• Proof of Valid Driver’s License.

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

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

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A test may be administered.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

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

You must indicate on your application if you require a technical aid for testing or an alternative method of assessment.
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.