Aquatic Science Biologist III

Important messages

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Assessment accommodation

Under the general direction of a Research Scientist in the Habitat Ecology Section (HES) of the Coastal Ecosystem Science Division (CESD) at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting and leading nearshore coastal research, monitoring, and risk assessment components of this program, including those associated with the DFO-Maritimes Regional Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Science Program. This will include annual work planning, documentation, and implementation; conducting laboratory and field-based experimental research and monitoring activities; data collection, processing, management and analysis; communicating scientific results at local, national and international conferences and meetings; writing, reviewing and publishing scientific papers and technical reports; supervision and management of determinate and indeterminate staff; asset maintenance and management. The incumbent will also be responsible for providing data, advice and recommendations to research scientists, managers and decisions makers within DFO as well as managers and decision makers, stakeholders, clients and the general public

Duties

• Lead or assist in planning and conducting DFO research, monitoring and risk assessment activities, including (amongst other things); (i) annual work planning, documentation, and implementation (ii) laboratory and field-based experimental research and monitoring activities, (iii) sample processing, data QA/QC and analysis, (v) data and database management and sharing, (vi) annual technical report preparation and (iv) communication of monitoring and research findings to DFO and non-DFO managers, decision makers, stakeholders, clients and the general public.
• Lead or assist in planning and coordinating technical reporting requirements of the DFO-Maritimes Coastal Monitoring efforts with an emphasis on abiotic (i.e., environmental variables) and biotic monitoring (e.g., native and non-native species), including, amongst other things, written documents and oral presentations submitted to the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat.
• Manage the end-to-end flow of DFO-Maritimes monitoring data in coordination with DFO data managers, including data acquisition, processing, quality assurance, quality check, assembly, distribution, archive, and web-presentation.
• Ensure availability of DFO Maritimes monitoring data and data products to DFO and non-DFO users.
• Coordinate and liaise with other DFO regions and stakeholders on DFO-Maritimes research and monitoring operational matters.
• Supervise technical support staff.
• Act as scientific authority for professional service contracts.
• Provide advice and recommendations to the research community and governance bodies.

Intent of the process

We are seeking a qualified person to fill one (1) Aquatic Science Biologist III position in support of nearshore coastal research, monitoring, and risk assessment.

A pool of qualified or partially qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions of various language requirements, tenures and security requirements within Science Branch, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Maritimes Region.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Education
Graduation with a Masters or Doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a natural, physical or applied science with primary specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience
(1) Experience conducting scientific research in the field of aquatic biology, aquatic ecology, or oceanography.
(2) Experience leading the design, planning and conduct of multi-disciplinary scientific research, monitoring and risk assessment projects.
(3) Experience leading the preparation and writing of scientific proposals, reports (e.g., progress or technical reports) and primary publications.
(4) Experience leading the interpretation and communication of scientific results and advice to (i) scientific peers, (ii) managers or decision makers, or (iii) stakeholders, clients or the general public.
(5) Recent and significant* experience using computer programming or scripting languages, including R, Geographical Information System applications (e.g., ArcGIS), Matlab, Ecological Niche Models (e.g., MaxEnt, Random Forests, Boosted Regression Trees, GAMs).
*at least 2 years of experience in a research or work capacity within the last 5 years

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

DEPENDING ON THE POSITION BEING STAFFED, ANY OF THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS MAY ALSO BE DEEMED AS AN ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION AND ONLY CANDIDATES AND PERSONS WITH A PRIORITY ENTITLEMENT WHO POSSESS THOSE QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THAT SPECIFIC VACANCY.

Certifications
(1) Valid SCUBA diving certification

Experience
(1) Experience using Geographical Information Systems software (e.g. ArcGIS) to aggregate data, process information, and/or conduct spatial analysis.
(2) Experience using computer or scripting languages (i.e. R or equivalent) for the statistical analysis of biological and/or ecological data.
(3) Experience in advanced and/or multivariate statistical analysis techniques (e.g. GLM, GAM, multivariate regression, ordination).
(4) Experience in managing and maintaining physical assets, human resources, and data of a scientific project.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge
(1) Knowledge of experimental design for field sampling and experiments.
(2) Knowledge of coastal marine ecosystems.

Ability
(1) Ability to work independently.
(2) Ability to lead laboratory and field-based research projects, including the supervision of personnel.
(3) Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Personal Suitability
(1) Effective interpersonal skills
(2) Self-Motivation
(3) Dependability
(4) Judgement

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

Knowledge
(1) Knowledge of theories, principles and practices in aquatic invasion biology and ecology.
(2) Knowledge of AIS risk assessment methodology, protocols and tools (e.g., geographic information systems, ecological niche modelling, multivariate statistics).

Ability
(1) Ability to solve problems, including the analysis and evaluation of relevant factors, and the assessment and mitigation of risks.

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
(1) Willing and able to travel provincially, nationally, and internationally to participate in meetings and workshops, field activities, and collaborative research studies.
(2) Willing and able to work flexible hours and overtime.
(3) Willing and able to work in harsh environments, including on small boats (<10 m) and larger research vessels (>30 m) at sea for prolonged periods of time (e.g., 1-2 weeks).
(4) Willing to travel for extended periods (e.g., 1-2 weeks at a time, up to 16 weeks per year).

Conditions of employment

(1) Security clearance with reliability status.
(2) Possession of a valid driver’s license or mobility to the extent of possession of a valid driver’s license within the limits of Treasury Board policy.
(3) Medical fitness in accordance with certification by Health Canada.

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

DFO recognizes and values the important contribution volunteer work offers in developing employees' experience, skills, etc., as well as enriching our organization and communities. Throughout this selection process, you are encouraged to demonstrate how any relevant volunteer work (e.g., working on committees, union activities, employee networks, community work, etc.) has contributed to the development of your experience, skills, personal suitability, etc., as they relate to this position.

Please note that your overall conduct and communications, including email correspondence, throughout the entire process may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

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.

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.