Aquatic Science 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

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
• A cover letter is not required, you only need to answer the screening questions and submit your CV.
• Persons are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language(s) of their choice.

Duties

Provide technical, logistical and analytical support and guidelines for research and monitoring projects in fisheries sciences, particularly those related to marine mammals, which are carried out on behalf of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). The appointees could be required to work in the laboratory AND in the field, or in only one of these environments for shorter appointments. Therefore, candidates may possess, at the time of application, an in-depth experience in only one OR the other area of expertise. They could be requested, depending on positions, to develop expertise in the complementary field in order to supervise technical teams in the laboratory AND in the field. The appointees will carry out technical work related to the realization of priority research programs for DFO. They will be conducting various laboratory analyzes or will be conducting various tasks related to sampling and data collection in the field, or both, in order to acquire scientific information on the biology and ecology of marine mammals.

Work environment

We are located in Mont-Joli, at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute, on the shores of the St. Lawrence Estuary. It is an exceptional work environment, dynamic as desire, where you can achieve your professional ambitions while meeting people who are passionate about their field. Come and see for yourself!

Intent of the process

As a result of this process, a pool of candidates will be created to staff similar or identical positions with various tenures at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute in Mont-Joli, Quebec.

We currently have imminent needs for staffing 3 permanent or long-term positions:
- Technician assisting with research on marine mammals in the Arctic and northern Quebec (permanent position)
- Technician assisting with research on cetaceans in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (permanent position)
- Technician assisting with North Atlantic right whale research and surveillance (3 year term)

Positions to be filled: 3

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION
A recognized post-secondary diploma in wildlife management, or in a field of natural or applied sciences related to the duties of the position, or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
We define “vast experience“ as an experience of more than 5 years; this period could be slightly inferior in cases where experiences are highly relevant to the positions. We are seeking senior technicians; thus candidates with only a few years experience will be systematically rejected.

Vast experience (see definition) providing technical support for scientific projects applied to animal ecology. To qualify, the candidate must possess this experience minimally in one OR the other of the following fields:
a) In the laboratory, application of techniques such as the measurement of hormones, metabolites and other biochemical markers, sample preparation for chemical, genetic or isotopic analyzes;
b) In the field, application of techniques related to the observation, approach, capture, and/or sampling of terrestrial vertebrates, or marine species, in order to collect information on the spatial ecology, behavioral ecology and ecophysiology of target species.
Vast experience (see definition) in data collection and database management.
Vast experience (see definition) in the planning of logistics associated with laboratory AND/OR field projects.
Vast experience (see definition) directing and supervising technical personnel, in the laboratory AND/OR in the field.

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

EXPERIENCES
Experience in providing technical support in the field for projects specifically related to marine mammals.
Experience in providing technical support in the field for projects specifically related to terrestrial mammals or seabirds.
Experience in providing technical support in the field for projects related to vertebrates other than mammals and birds.
Experience in providing technical support for lipid extraction in the lab.
Experience in providing technical support for isotope analyses in the lab.
Experience in providing technical support for fatty acids analyses in the lab.
Experience in providing technical support for the analyses of hormones or other metabolites in the lab.
Experience in conducting technical scientific work in coastal waters aboard small vessels or aircraft.
Experience in conducting systematic aerial line transect surveys.
Experience in conducting systematic nautical line transect surveys.
Experience working with indigenous communities.
Experience working in remote areas.
Experience in the use of Matlab, R, SAS, SQL, S+, VB, C++, ADMB or other scientific programming software.
Experience in the use of software for the manipulation of geo-referenced data such as ArcGIS, QGIS, etc.

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

Various language requirements
As bilingual Imperative (BBB/BBB) or French essential depending on the type of position to be filled.

Please note that the Maurice-Lamontagne Institute is a francophone work environment and that the language of use is French.

Information on language requirements

ABILITIES
Ability to plan, organize and assume operational responsibility (e.g. team supervision) of scientific activities in the laboratory AND/OR in the field.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY
Show great scientific rigor
Sense of initiative
Dependability

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

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
For all positions :
Necessity to adapt to a variable work schedule and do overtime.
Necessity to work aboard various platforms including helicopters, small planes, and boats of various sizes as required

For certain positions :
Necessity to acquire experience in the complementary field to the one possessed at the time of application (laboratory or in the field).
Necessity to travel in a repetitive manner, in blocs of 2 to 3 weeks at the time, for periods extending to many months.
Necessity to work in collaboration with indigenous communities, and in isolated environments.
Necessity to use firearms or crossbows for killing or sampling marine mammals.

Conditions of employment

EMPLOYEMENT CONDITIONS
For all positions :
Reliability Status security clearance
Periodically undergo a medical examination.
Valid driving licence
Accept and be able to travel and to work outside of normal working hours; work in the field for periods of up to 6 weeks consecutive weeks.

For certain positions :
Have completed or accept to successfully complete a course on «Experimental Fish» in accordance with certification by the Animal Welfare Committee of the Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Accept or be qualified to operate small vessels in accordance with certification by Transport Canada or accept to follow and succeed in acquiring this certificate.
Have completed or accept to successfully complete a course to obtain a permit for detaining and acquiring firearms.
Accept and be capable of using firearms or crossbows with the aim of killing marine mammals as part of sampling programs.
Depending on projects, accept and be able to :
- Travel in the field in a repetitive manner, in blocs of 2 to 3 weeks at the time, for periods extending on many months to work aboard small planes, helicopters, or small boats, or in remote regions.

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.