Section Head, Aquatic Science Biologist ** Amended closing date

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

Candidates must clearly demonstrate in the screening questionnaire how they meet the education and experience criteria listed in the essential and asset qualifications. Please note that stating that the requirement has been met, and/or listing past or current responsibilities, does not represent adequate substantiation. Rather, you must provide concrete examples that clearly illustrate how you meet the requirement. Résumés may be used as a secondary source to validate the qualifications described; comments such as "refer to my attached resume" will not be accepted and may result in your application being rejected. Failure to provide this information in the requested format may result in your application being rejected.

Please note that your application or any information provided may be considered in the assessment of any of the essential or asset qualifications, including the ability to communicate effectively in writing. Should you wish to update or change any information on your application, it remains your responsibility to advise HR Staffing respectively.

As a science-based department, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) relies on a vibrant science program to provide data and information combined with expert scientific analysis and advice to directly support decision-making as well as policy and program delivery. The Ecosystem and Oceans Science Sector (the "Science" Sector) makes up approximately one-quarter of the workforce of DFO (excluding Canadian Coast Guard) and includes research scientists and biologists with broad range of expertise in ocean and freshwater research, as well as physical scientists, chemists, engineers, hydrographers, a range of technical and other scientific support staff, managers, science advisors, and administrators.

Duties

The Biologist classification in DFO encompasses a diverse range of duties and skills, contributing to the full range of DFO’s core areas of research. In general terms, a Section Head is expected to: lead the delivery of programs, manage science teams and research scientists, manage financial resources, collaborate and present scientific information to stakeholders, and manage science programs to provide advice and to support decisions by the various management sectors that affect Canadians and the aquatic resources of Canada.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) may hire a Section Head, aquatic science biologist in either the Fisheries and Ecosystem Science Division or in the Aquatic Animal Health division.

Fisheries and Ecosystem Science Division:
In general terms, a Section Head, aquatic science biologist is expected to: lead the delivery of science programs related to fish stock assessments, aquatic ecosystems and marine mammals, manage science teams comprised of research scientists, biologists and technicians, manage financial resources and budgets, collaborate and present scientific information to various stakeholders including commercial and recreational industry representatives, Indigenous groups, Provinces, academia, and other partners and manage science programs to provide advice and to support decisions by the various management sectors that affect Canadians and the aquatic resources of Canada.

Aquatic Animal Health:
In general terms, a Section Head, aquatic science biologist will be responsible for the management and direction of Aquatic Animal Health Section to support the National Aquatic Animal Health Program (NAAHP). This will also include the support and direct the financial and human resource for the delivery of National Aquatic Animal Health Program relevant to the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) objectives to protect Canada's farmed and wild fisheries from disease outbreaks and maintain access to the international seafood market. This position will be working with Section staff to design, plan, and ensure the delivery of diagnostic services and research projects. The successful candidate will acquire and provide scientific knowledge, data, information, advice and recommendations to scientists, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), senior management, other federal agencies, provincial and territorial agencies, international organizations and the general public. These objectives will be met through the development, implementation, maintenance and continual improvement of the Quality Management System as per ISO 17025 requirements. The incumbent will review and authorize the diagnostic results before releasing to the client and work with regional section heads and national NAAHP managers, coordinators and CFIA to the meet the objectives and effective delivery of National Aquatic Animal Health Program and ensure the effective delivery of program. In addition, they will be directing, supervising, training and evaluating the performance of subordinate staff and also managing Section budgets in cooperation with subordinate staff and Division Manager.

Intent of the process

A pool of candidates will be established and may be used to staff permanent or temporary vacancies within the Science Branch. This process may be used to staff similar positions of various tenures within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada- Gulf Region.

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

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Recent* and significant** experience in leading scientific and research activities in at least one of the following areas:
- Population research or assessment
- Biodiversity science
- Fish species surveys
- Aquatic ecology
- Aquaculture science
- Animal Health
- Ecosystem monitoring and science
(Note: Graduation from a recognized program in these areas will not be accepted as work experience.)

Recent* experience in managing financial and human resources.
Significant** experience leading teams and direct reports.
Experience in managing scientific projects including planning to conducting research and publishing results in order to meet objectives.
Experience in client service delivery or collaboration with various partners such as private sector, non-governmental, academic, provincial or federal organizations or representatives.

* Recent is defined as experience acquired within approximately the last five (5) years.
** Significant is understood to mean the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with having preformed a broad range of complex related activities for a period of approximately two (2) years.

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

EDUCATION
Post-graduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in aquatic or biological sciences or natural resources with a specialization in a field relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Experience in aquatic research.
Experience in providing science advice for decision-making purposes.
Experience working with stakeholder groups such as commercial or recreational fishing industry, Indigenous organizations, provinces, academia or other stakeholder groups.
Experience in preparing and writing technical documents, scientific articles or reports including publications in primary (peer-reviewed) journals or other refereed publications.
Experience working in a laboratory with an accredited quality management system.
Experience in planning, coordinating or delivering research or diagnostics activities in animal health or human health.
Experience working in a microbiology or molecular laboratory.
Experience with commercially important finfish diseases (e.g. aetiology, epizootiology) and methods to detect, circumvent or control these diseases.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (CBC/CBC)

Information on language requirements

COMPETENCIES
Values and Ethics: serving with integrity and respect.
Strategic thinking ‐ Innovating through Analysis and Ideas.
Engagement: Mobilizing people, organizations, partners.
Management excellence ‐ Delivering through action management, people management, financial management.

ABILITIES
Ability to communicate effectively orally.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to plan and manage complex science programs or projects to establish priorities and deliver outcomes.
Ability to analyze complex scientific information and provide advice for decision-making purposes relevant to the Government of Canada’s mandate.

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

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of assessment methods and models used in fishery or wildlife population stock dynamics, or ecosystem assessments.
Knowledge of analytical and statistical techniques and their application to one of the following: fishery or wildlife population stock dynamics, marine mammals, aquaculture, oceanography, or ecosystem assessments.
Knowledge of quality management systems applicable to diagnostic laboratories (i.e. ISO 17025).
Knowledge of diagnostic test methods for infectious agents.

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
Willingness and able to travel for extended periods of time (for some positions).
Willingness and able to work flexible hours and overtime on short notice.
Willingness and able to work in harsh environments on vessels at sea or in remote field settings (for some positions).
Valid motor vehicle driver's license or mobility to the extent of the possession of a valid driver's license (for some positions).
Medical fitness in accordance with certification by Health Canada (for some positions).

Conditions of employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Secret or reliability security clearance (depending on the position requirement)
Valid motor vehicle driver's license or mobility to the extent of the possession of a valid driver's license (for some positions).
Medical fitness in accordance with certification by Health Canada (for some positions).

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

PLEASE APPLY ONLINE: Please submit your application online. We request that you DO NOT email, fax or mail in hard copy documents. Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line, are asked to contact (902) 426-4698 or toll free at 1-800-645-5605.

Reference checks will be sought.
An interview may be administered.
A written examination may be administered
A practical test may be administered.
A situational exercise may be administered.

Note: May use a Public Service Commission standardized test.

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.

Please ensure that your Personal Record Identifier (PRI) is included in your application.

Candidates invited to an interview will be required to bring proof of their education credentials, in the form of a diploma or official transcript.

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/

Candidates must meet all of the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position. A candidate may be appointed to a position even though he/she does not meet any or all of the asset qualifications or operational requirements. However, meeting these criteria is desirable and may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed.

Depending on the requirements of the position(s) being staffed from this process, for current or future vacancies, any or all of the asset qualifications, operational requirements, and organizational needs may be applied at the time of staffing. Candidates may be contacted and assessed against these criteria at any time during this process.

Please note that candidates can be eliminated by the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS) based on PSRS screening questions. Candidates may request to informally discuss their elimination at any point during the process. To do so, please contact the department at the coordinate(s) indicated on this poster.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your email and contact information are maintained with the hiring board AND in your Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS) account. As all of the communication for this process will be conducted via the email address provided in your application AND via your PSRS account, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check for messages regularly and to ensure that your email address accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email or filter them to a junk mail folder). Failure to respond to key messages may result in your being eliminated from this 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.