Forensic Document Examiner - Trainee

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

VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The pre-screening questions will be used as the first source to evaluate the education and experience, essential and asset qualifications. Resumes will be used as a secondary source to validate these competencies.

An accompanying letter will be used to assess ability in the asset section.

CANDIDATES WILL NOT BE SOLICITED FOR INCOMPLETE OR MISSING 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. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

Work environment

So, you want a new challenge? You think the universe of Sherlock Holmes, Colombo, Hawaii 5-0 or CSI is something exciting? Come and follow traces left on documents and consider a career as a Forensic Document Examiner. If you are curious and have excellent observation skills, this job is a unique opportunity to join the only federal laboratory offering a complete forensic document examination service! This work includes the study of all aspects of forensic document analysis, from handwriting to printing processes. You will also analyse a wide variety of documentary material such as writing instruments, stamps and many substrates to determine the origin, relative age and authenticity of questioned documents. Scientific instrumentation found in a forensic document laboratory is also something you, as a trainee, will work with, and if needed, you’ll be asked to prepare worksheets to be used in forensic reports.

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified persons resulting from this process will be created and may be used to fill similar positions with various linguistic profiles and tenures (permanent or term), which may vary according to the position being staffed.

Positions to be filled: 3

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 4,999 words (maximum) "***to answer the following question: Do you have the ability to express and present technical material in high level French? If so, please provide concrete examples on how, where and when you have acquired this experience.***"

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

EDUCATION:
-Graduation with a degree (baccalaureate) 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.

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:
-Experience performing aspects of forensic document examination in a work or academic laboratory environment.

Experience is defined as a cumulative amount of 4 months, in any or a combination of the following:
Microscopy
Imaging/Photography
Latent Indentations (e.g. ESDA/EDD)
Spectral examinations (e.g.Videospectral Comparator)
Printing Industry
Graphic Arts

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

Various language requirements

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGES:
-Knowledge of the techniques of quality control in a forensic or analytical laboratory.
-Knowledge of laboratory health and safety procedures.
-Knowledge of analytic methods and instrumentation related to the forensic examination of documents AND / OR knowledge of human motor control as it pertains to the production of handwriting or signatures.

ABILITY:
-Ability to communicate effectively in writing
-Ability to communicate effectively orally
-Ability to be detail-oriented.
-Ability to be decisive
-Ability to work in team.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
-Adaptability
-Initiative
-Judgment
-Dependability

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

EDUCATION ASSET:
-Specialization in forensic science from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE ASSET:
-Experience working in a quality system environment.

-Experience in the analysis of handwriting (excluding graphology).

-Experience as a forensic document examiner.

-Experience in microscopy, imaging or biomechanics.

-Experience in statistics and/or mathematics.

NOTE: All asset experience has to be acquired in a period of at least six (6) months.

ABILITY ASSET:
-Ability to express and present technical material in high level French.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS:
Placement of Employees of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) affected by Workforce Adjustment.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Willing to work overtime as required.
Available to travel.

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

Must successfully pass the colour vision deficiency testing (for example Ishihara).
Must successfully pass form-blindness testing: Osborn and Group Embedded Figures Test

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

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be conducted.

A written examination may be administered.

Candidates will be required to pay for their own travel related to assessment and successful candidates will be responsible for obtaining their own living accommodations.

All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the candidates.

Depending on the requirements of the position(s) being staffed from this process, for current or future vacancies, any or all of the other qualifications may be applied at the time of staffing.

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.

The Assessment Committee reserves the right to contact references other than those provided by the candidates (within the Public Service only), if found necessary, in order to adequately assess the candidates.

The breadth and depth of experience may be considered when making selections from the qualified pool and in determining the "best fit" for the organization.

The hiring organization will accept applications on-line only. All job applications must therefore be submitted through the Public Service Resourcing System. To submit an application on-line, please select the button "Apply Online" below. Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

Random selection and/or top-down selection may be used at any time during the process to identify which applicants will be further assessed.

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

For this selection process, it is our intention to communicate with candidates via email for screening and assessment purposes. This will include communication of screening results and invitations to written tests and interviews. To that end, candidates must include a valid email address in their application. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that this address is functional and that it accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). It is also the candidate's responsibility to ensure accurate information is provided and updated as required.

Please note that candidates can be eliminated by the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS) based on PSRS screening questions.

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.