Senior Information Specialist

SELECTION PROCESS CANCELLED

We regret to inform you that this job opportunity has been cancelled.

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

As one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, AAFC is proud to celebrate our achievement in creating a diverse, respectful, and positive workplace where all employees are valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices and perspectives.

We are looking for skilled and experienced individuals in library services. To apply for this job:
►It may take you 45 to 60 minutes to complete your application. Check out our video above for tips and advice!
►You don’t need to provide a cover letter (just your résumé). Your résumé is required and will be reviewed and used to validate the qualifications described.
►When submitting your application, you will be asked for information about your education and experience. The system will prompt you with specific questions for each qualification. This requires that you provide additional details in a written text response thoroughly explaining where, when and how you obtained this education or experience. Ensure you answer the questions if applicable.

Duties

As one of the largest federal libraries, the Canadian Agriculture Library (CAL) has a dynamic group of professional and support staff from coast to coast working together to support their mandates and regulatory commitments of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The CAL is one of seven science-based departments that form part of the Federal Science Library (FSL), an integrated library model to provide expanded library services to members of participating departments.

The Canadian Agriculture Library (CAL) at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is looking for a Senior Information Specialist. The ideal candidate can easily adapt to new ways of working in a changing library environment. They are flexible in supporting client information needs in numerous subject areas related to the business of the department and are comfortable operating in both a virtual and in-person environment. They value transparent collaboration and healthy work environment.
✔ As a senior Information Specialist you will provide information services including reference, information research, current awareness, training and advice to clients on the use of information resources.
✔ You will conduct reference interviews, analyze and synthesize information, identify sources of information and will gather data using a variety of research techniques.
✔ You will also be involved in promoting library services, preparing client communications, delivering presentations to small and large groups of managers, clients and employees.
✔ In addition, you will participate in the planning, development and delivery of library information services to clients across the country as well as being a member of departmental, inter-departmental and project teams, as required.

Intent of the process

Immediate need:
⇨ To staff one (1) position on a full-time permanent basis.

Qualified candidates will also be placed in a talent pool to be used for staffing similar permanent or temporary positions for the location listed.

In addition to permanent staffing, we will also use this talent pool when needing to hire experienced public servants who are interested in temporary opportunities such as acting appointments, assignments, or secondments.

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)

► Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a Master’s degree in Library Science, or in Library and Information Science; OR Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a Bachelor’s degree in Library Science, or in Library and Information Science, for which another Bachelor’s degree was a prerequisite.

If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. Click on the link below to contact the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC).

Degree equivalency

Note: When answering the application screening questions (for experience qualifications below), you must be specific and provide concrete examples and details for each experience element, as applications will be screened on the information provided. Do not presume that the hiring board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history. Your résumé will only be used as a secondary source to validate the qualifications described.
► Experience in the delivery of library information services with emphasis on research.
► Experience conducting research in online databases and the Internet.
► Experience in the promotion of library services, including delivery of client training.

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

► Experience in providing library services in a special library in a scientific or economic field.
► Graduation from a post-secondary institution in a scientific field.

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

Bilingual - Imperative
►You must be able to work in English AND in French (Reading, Writing and Oral proficiency). We are looking for a bilingual profile of BBB/BBB. If you aren't sure what that means, click on the links below!

Information on language requirements

Second Language Writing Skills Self-Assessment
In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your writing skills in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

For more information, please consult:
Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills

► Knowledge of emerging trends and/or technological innovations as they relate to library services.

► Client Focus
► Adaptability
► Initiative
► Teamwork

► Ability to analyze and synthesize information from diverse sources
► Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally

Conditions of employment

► In order to be appointed, a Reliability Status Security Clearance will be required. You will be expected to maintain this clearance throughout the duration of your employment.

Other Conditions of Employment:
► Ability and willingness to work 7.5 hours per day Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. as per operational requirements
► Ability and willingness to work overtime as required
► Ability and willingness to travel as required
► Ability and willingness to retrieve materials from library stacks of which may entail moving shelving, and using step stools to access upper shelves
► Valid driver’s licence

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

APPLICATION & CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION

⇨ Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying online are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

⇨ We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you require special accommodation at any stage in the selection process, including technical aid or an alternative method of assessment to ensure an equitable assessment of your qualifications, please use the contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

⇨ Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply through the "Apply online" link below. Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate
their preferred official language(s) in their application.

⇨ Once you click "Apply Now," the first step of the process will involve completing what we call ‘screening questions’ and attaching your resume. The responses you provide to these screening question, alongside your resume, will help us determine whether you meet the education and experience requirements.

⇨ We will contact you by e-mail and/or via your GC Jobs account. Please ensure that your e-mail address is valid and accepts messages from unknown users. It is your responsibility to regularly check your e-mail and jobs account for communications regarding this selection process. Should we contact you and you fail to reply within the designated time frames, your application may not be considered further.

⇨ All the information collected during the selection process, from the time of application until the end of the process, will be used to assess candidates.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT? ASSESSMENT 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.

⇨ A written examination and/or an interview will be administered.

⇨ Reference checks may be conducted. Reference checks will be sought near the end of the selection process. The Assessment Committee reserves the right to contact references other than the ones submitted by the candidates if found necessary, in order to make a suitable assessment of the candidates.

⇨ Proof of your education credentials will be required at a later date.

⇨ Second language evaluation (SLE) tests will be administered, as these positions all have a bilingual (English and French) language requirement.
• If you have valid SLE results, you will be asked to provide proof.
• If you need to be retested (reading, writing or oral), you will be scheduled.
• If you have never had a second language evaluation, you will be scheduled for the reading and writing tests. If you are successful on the reading and writing, then you will be scheduled for an oral evaluation.

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.