Commercialization Officer

Update: UPDATE: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to April 22, 2020 - 23:59, Pacific Time.

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

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers. We welcome all applicants and strongly encourage candidates to self-declare if they belong to an Employment Equity designated group (i.e. Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities or Women).

Duties

Establishes strategies for the promotion of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research and technologies to industry, producer lead research organizations, provincial governments and agencies.

Negotiates, writes and finalizes files (licenses and agreements) assigned by the Team Lead. Ensures the quality and effectiveness of services provided and makes recommendations for improvements.

Works in cooperation with Scientists, Directors and National Program Leaders in the development of Intellectual Property strategies and risk assessment for science teams and programs.

Work environment

The Office of Intellectual Property and Commercialization (OIPC) supports the agri-food sector's economic, social and environmental contributions to Canada by converting research efforts into outcomes with real benefits.

The work of the Research Branch at AAFC generates results such as new innovations, products, designs, methods, processes, plant varieties, germplasm, genetic material, know-how and show-how. The rights in these research results are known as "intellectual property" or "IP".

The OIPC strives to transfer research results from the laboratory to applications in Canada and around the world.

Intent of the process

It is the intent of this process to staff one (1) indeterminate position in Sherbrooke, Quebec. There will be a pool of partially qualified and qualified candidates established to staff positions located in various Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research centers locations across Canada.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, that employee may be considered for acting, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

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
- Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in commerce, business administration, agriculture, animal, plant science, or life science, engineering or another discipline related to the position, OR an acceptable combination of education, training and experience.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
- Significant* experience drafting and negotiating business or research agreements with academia, the public sector and/or the private sector.
- Recent** experience in the conduct of activities related to the management of intellectual property assets, such as trade secrets, trademarks, patents or Plant Breeder’s Right.
- Experience working with scientists and/or engineers on scientific projects to either facilitate collaborative work or to promote intellectual property assets.

Significant* is defined as the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with performing these duties full-time for a minimum period of at least twelve (12) months in the academic or private sector or at least six (6) months with the federal public sector.
Recent** is defined as the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with performing these duties in the last three (3) years.

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

EXPERIENCE
- Experience drafting and negotiating licensing or collaborative research agreements in the Public Service.

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 BBB/CCC

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 the legislation, regulations and policies relative to intellectual property rights management in Canada.
- Knowledge of the methods and standards related to drafting and negotiating research collaborative agreements.

COMPETENCIES
- Analytical thinking
- Client Focus
- Initiative
- Judgment

ABILITIES
- Ability to negotiate.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally.
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

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

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of the Canadian agri-food sector.

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
- Ability and willingness to travel occasionally.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid Driver`s license.

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

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. 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.

Various assessment tools may be used, such as, standardized tests, interviews, references, board member knowledge, etc.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

A random and/or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
- Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience.
- Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications.

A test may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Asset qualifications may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

APPLICATION & CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.jobs.gc.ca.

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

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.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

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.