Senior Automotive Defect Investigator

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

Messages importants

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
Only on-line applications will be accepted. All job applications must be submitted through the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS).

You will be required to demonstrate the Essential Qualifications (Education and Experience) and Asset qualifications (if applicable) for the initial screening by answering online screening questions and on your résumé. It is NOT sufficient to only state that the qualifications are met or to provide a listing of current or past responsibilities. You must clearly demonstrate when, where, and how the qualification was met through substantiation by concrete examples. Information on your education and experience provided in the screening questions should be supported by your résumé. Failure to provide the above information in the required format may result in your application being rejected from this process.

COMMUNICATION
All information pertaining to the invitation to tests or interviews will be sent by e-mail. Candidates who participate in this selection process must include an electronic e-mail address which accepts e-mails from unknown users (some e-mail systems block this kind of e-mail). THEREFORE, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO VERIFY YOUR E-MAIL AND/OR PSRS ACCOUNT ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR NEW COMMUNICATION REGARDING THIS SELECTION PROCESS.
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.

Duties

• Plans, oversees and leads complex investigations into alleged or suspected safety-related defects associated with the design, construction or functioning of motor vehicles, tires or child car seats; keeps companies and management informed of the development and progress of defect investigations; and brings new major safety concerns to management’s attention in a timely manner so that the department can take appropriate risk mitigation actions;
• Ensures that companies issue a notice of defect, in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and its regulations, when a safety-related defect is confirmed using vehicle or component inspection and testing as well as other investigative techniques;
• Conducts administrative investigation to determine whether a company was aware of the defect and failed to act in a timely manner;
• In case of disagreement with a company concerning the existence of a safety-related defect, prepares documentation recommending that the Minister order the company to issue a notice of a defect;
• When investigations reveal serious violations of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, assist in the preparation of case brief recommending prosecution and act as an expert witness during legal proceedings; and
• Promotes compliance with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act by providing clarification on the regulatory requirements to companies; and provides expert advice on motor vehicle safety issues to manufacturers and importers, departmental officials, other federal and provincial government departments, safety standards organizations, foreign regulatory authorities, law enforcement agencies, public interest groups, and members of the public.

Work environment

Better than being a CSI, become a VSI (a Vehicle Safety Investigator)!
Work environment
Transport Canada’s mission is to promote a safe and secure, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation system for Canadians, including regulating the manufacture and importation of vehicles, tires and child car seats to reduce the risk of deaths and injuries.
We are looking to staff the position of Senior Automotive Defect Investigator. Our Defect Investigations and Recalls Division is based at the Motor Vehicle Safety Investigation Lab, a state-of-the-art, best-kept-secret facility. The lab is located in the National Capital Region’s Gatineau (Hull sector), a stone’s throw from a major highway, 8 km from Parliament Hill and against traffic congestion. Express and regular bus routes stops, including service to and from downtown Ottawa, are only a 3 minute walk. Our facility backs onto the Trans-Canada nature trails and bike paths and offers free parking to employees.
We work closely with manufacturers, consumers, dealers, forensic scientists and others. Our investigations often lead to safety recalls or safety advisories. You will conduct investigations into alleged or suspected safety-related defects associated with the design, construction or functioning of vehicles, tires or child car seats. You will be working in the laboratory/shop, in an office and in the field. You are passionate about cars and other vehicles, you will enjoy working on our team, making a difference to the safety of Canadians on the road!
If you’re a motivated and looking for an exciting new opportunity, we invite you to apply!

For more information on Transport Canada’s motor vehicle safety defect investigations and recalls program, please consult the following web pages: www.tc.gc.ca/recalls and https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/tp-tp12957-menu-173.htm.

Intent of the process

A pool of essentially and/or partially qualified candidates may be established within Transport Canada and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures (including indeterminate/term/assignment/secondment/acting/deployment) and/or various linguistic requirements (bilingual imperative CCC/CCC, CBC/CBC or BBB/BBB, and English essential) and/or various security profiles (reliability, secret).

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
ED: A secondary school diploma or acceptable combination of education, training and/or related experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience
EX1: Significant (see note 1) and recent (see note 2) experience conducting investigations into potential defects of motor vehicles or other consumer products.

EX2: Experience writing technical reports and business correspondence.

EX3: Experience dealing with representatives of vehicle, tire, child restraint or other consumer product manufacturing industries.

NOTE 1: "Significant" experience means five or more years of relevant work experience.
NOTE 2: "Recent" experience means experience acquired within the last eight years.

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

Various language requirements
English essential
Bilingual imperative BBB/BBB
Bilingual imperative CBC/CBC
Bilingual imperative CCC/CCC

Information on language requirements

Knowledge
K1: Knowledge of current advanced automotive technologies.
K2: Knowledge of automotive design; manufacturing; quality control; and engineering testing.
K3: Knowledge of the principles of failure analysis and non-destructive testing as they apply to automotive technologies.

Abilities
AB1: Ability to communicate effectively orally.
AB2: Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
AB3: Ability to write technical reports and business correspondence.
AB4: Ability to plan, prioritize and organize work.
AB5: Ability to effectively analyze complex technical problems.
AB6: Ability to document and to prepare clear and pertinent photographic evidence of potential safety defects.

Personal Suitabilities
PS1: Effective interpersonal relationships.
PS2: Dependability.
PS3: Thoroughness.
PS4: Judgment.
PS5: Impartiality.
PS6: Team player.
PS7: Discretion.
PS8: Initiative.
PS9: Leadership.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- A valid motor vehicle driver’s license.
- A valid motor vehicle driver’s for a class or classes of vehicles other than a passenger car is an asset.
- Willingness and ability to work in a laboratory environment and outside in various weather conditions.
- Willingness and ability to work in confined spaces (e.g., vehicle interior, under a vehicle, engine compartment, etc.).
- Ability to lift 23 kg (50 lbs).
- Willingness and ability to work overtime occasionally on short notice.
- Willingness and ability to travel nationally on occasion.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
In support of achieving a diversified workforce, preference may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: aboriginal peoples, members of a visible minority group, persons with disabilities, women.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Security: Reliability clearance required.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS
Education
AED: A diploma or degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in mechanical or electrical engineering or in a specialization relevant to the position being staffed.

Degree equivalency

Experience
AEX1: Experience in a specialty field related to the conduct of motor vehicle defect investigations, such as, but not limited to:
- The retrieval and analysis of Event Data Recorder (EDR) data;
- The conduct of in-depth collision analysis and reconstruction;
- The conduct of motor vehicle component failure analysis; or
- The conduct of vehicle fire origin and causation analysis.

AEX2: Experience in a field related to the design, manufacturing, quality control or engineering testing of motor vehicles or other engineered products.

AEX3: Experience working in a regulatory oversight program.

AEX4: Experience working in a laboratory or manufacturing environment.

AEX5: Experience working in collaboration with the police or other law enforcement agencies.

AEX6:Experience handling consumer complaints

AEX7: Experience conducting risk assessment.

AEX8: Experience in conducting field surveys or test programs to collect data.

AEX9: Experience in interpreting mechanical or electrical drawings and technical test reports.

AEX10: Experience in driving a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission.

Knowledge
AK1: Knowledge of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and the Records, Notice of Defect, and Reports provisions in the attendant regulations.
AK2: Knowledge of the Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Directorate's Guidelines on Enforcement and Compliance Policy.

Personal suitability
APS1: Enthusiasm and interest in automotive technology.

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

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.