Join our Library Team as a Library Technician!

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, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is proud to celebrate our achievements in creating a diverse, respectful, and positive workplace where all employees are valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices and perspectives. Our five Diversity and Inclusion Networks (Gender and Sexual Diversity Inclusiveness Network, the Persons with Disabilities Network, the Indigenous Network Circle, the Visible Minorities Network and the Women in Science Network) advance awareness, contribute to departmental initiatives and provide a safe space and mentorship for their members. By embracing diversity and inclusion, our department ensures broader discussions, better decisions, and a more positive workplace.

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

The Canadian Agriculture Library (CAL) is looking for two collaborative, client-focused Library Technicians to work at the Main Headquarters library and at our Ottawa Research and Development Centre location. CAL provides research support services and access to information resources to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Canadian Food Inspection Agency employees across Canada. As a member of the CAL team you will participate in the work of committees, teams and working groups in the department. In addition, you will perform the following specialized duties:
✔ Provide library services including circulation, basic reference, client orientation, document delivery and interlibrary loans.
✔ Conduct bibliographic searches using library tools and information resources, the internet and databases to locate information for clients.
✔ Participate in library related projects, including support for the maintenance of the Library’s Intranet site.
✔ Organize and maintain the library collections including retrieval, shelving, preservation and repair of materials and modifying holdings information.

Work environment

The Canadian Agriculture Library (CAL) is one of the largest federal government libraries. The modern headquarters Library in Ottawa is located at the edge of the Central Experimental Farm, near the Baseline Road and Merivale Road intersection. The main complex is equipped with a full gym and is conveniently located within walking distance to restaurants, shopping, banking, pharmacy and numerous other services.

The Neatby Entomology collection is based at the Ottawa Research Development Centre (ORDC) and provides information services in the areas of entomology, botany and mycology. The Centre is located in the Central Experimental Farm on Carling Avenue.

Intent of the process

Immediate need: To staff two positions 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. The pool can be used by other Government of Canada organizations.

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION:
► Successful completion of a minimum two-year library technician program from a recognized postsecondary institution. We are also willing to accept applications from candidates who will complete studies/graduate by June 30, 2020.

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

EXPERIENCE:
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 could be gained in formal employment, practicum or co-op program.

► Experience in searching and retrieving bibliographic information from various sources such as the Internet and bibliographic databases.
► Experience using library computer applications such as; integrated library systems, interlibrary loan systems or bibliographic databases.
► Experience in providing library services in an academic library, special library, research library or public library in at least two of the following areas: Basic Reference; Interlibrary loans; Circulation; Collection Maintenance including shelving of library materials and updating catalogue holdings.

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

► Experience using the Millennium or Sierra Integrated Library Systems.
► Experience using interlibrary loan or document delivery software such as VDX.
► Experience using Microsoft SharePoint (Collaborative tool).

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:
► Knowledge of standard tools for the verification and location of bibliographic data.
► Knowledge of basic reference research techniques.
► Knowledge of library operations, practices and procedures including document delivery, interlibrary loan and circulation.

COMPETENCIES:
► Adaptability
► Initiative
► Teamwork
► Client Focus
► Interactive Communication

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 through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm (as per operational requirements).
► Ability and willingness to retrieve material from library stacks area which may entail moving mobile shelving, and using step stools to access upper shelves.
► Ability and willingness to travel within the National Capital Region (NCR).
► Ability and willingness to serve as backup for similar positions in the organization.
► Ability and willingness to work overtime.

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 the email referenced below under "Contact information"

⇨ 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.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT? ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

⇨ Selected candidates will be invited to an interview. The interview will be designed to assess the required knowledge and competency qualifications.

⇨ 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.

⇨ 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.

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.