Women in Water - Hydrometric Technologist

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

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

***VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Applicants must clearly outline how they meet each of the screening criteria (i.e. Education and Experience Qualifications, both Essential and Assets). Please note that it is not sufficient to only state that you meet the requirements, to provide a listing of your current responsibilities or to write "See CV". In your answers to the screening questions, you must provide concrete examples that illustrate how you meet the requirements. Failure to do so could result in your application being rejected from this process.

Duties

The Job:
The success of the Water Survey of Canada has always been dependent on its technical work force of over 200 hydrometric technologists. The hydrometric technologist uses state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and methods to collect and process hydrometric data. At each station, water level data are recorded continuously in digital form using an automated electronic recorder, or "data logger". The technologist visits the station several times a year to perform maintenance and to take measurements of water depth and velocity, which are required to determine the rate of flow, or discharge, of the river. The technologist takes these measurements from a bridge, by wading in a stream, by boat, or using a cableway and cable car suspended across a river. Technologists should be comfortable working in and around fast moving water, working in adverse weather conditions in both winter and summer and moving equipment such as small outboard engines and boats over uneven terrain.

Once a relationship between water level and flow (discharge) has been established, flow data are routinely estimated from the recorded water level data. In the office, the technologist reviews and finalizes the data under a rigorous quality management process. The data are stored in the national database and disseminated to users via the web.

There are approximately 2500 active hydrometric stations, all recording data on site. Nearly two thousands of these stations transmit data to users, via the web, in near real time, using either satellite or telephone communications systems.

Work environment

Background:
The Water Survey of Canada (WSC), part of the Meteorological Service of Canada, is the national agency responsible for the collection, interpretation and dissemination of standardized water resource data and information in Canada. The WSC can trace its beginnings to 1908 when Canada initiated a formal approach to determine the extent of the nation's water resources. As an emerging nation, Canada recognized the need for comprehensive water resource information to define reliable supplies of good quality water, to determine hydro power potential, to assess irrigation potential and to protect Canada's sovereignty over its water resources. All major water supply systems, hydro electrical generation facilities and irrigation projects in Canada have been designed, built and operated using the data products and services of the Water Survey of Canada. Today, the Water Survey of Canada continues as the lead agency for collecting and disseminating relevant and reliable water resource information in Canada. The WSC continues to play a major role in the activities of numerous international and interprovincial boards and commissions involved in the management of Canada's water resources. It is the designated agency responsible for water resource monitoring in support of inter-jurisdictional agreements and treaties. The WSC's reputation for excellence is recognized internationally, and our agency continues to set the standard for environmental monitoring.

The Water Survey of Canada has built its reputation through a cooperative approach with all levels of governments and business sectors. Earlier ad-hoc arrangements with the provinces were replaced in 1975 with comprehensive and national partnership agreements. These agreements continue to this day and underpin the National Hydrometric Program (NHP).

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used to fill current and future vacancies of various tenures at the above noted work locations.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

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 post-secondary diploma in water resources, civil engineering technology or environmental engineering technology, or in a field relevant to the work to be performed.

OR

Successful completion of a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in engineering or geosciences, with a specialization in water resources, hydraulics and hydrology, or in a field relevant to the work to be performed.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Experience in conducting field surveys.

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

English essential
English or French Essential
Bilingual Imperative (BBB/BBB)
Bilingual Imperative (CBC/CBC)

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of basic occupational safety and health procedures.
• Knowledge of hydrology and open channel hydraulics.
• Knowledge of land surveying.
• Knowledge of spreadsheet software (e.g. Excel, Etc.)

Abilities & skills:
• Demonstrating integrity and respect
• Thinking things through *
• Working effectively with others *
• Showing initiative
• Adaptability *
• Communication *
• Being Detailed Oriented

* Note: The competencies above have been identified as core competencies contributing to excellence at the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC).

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

Education:
• Successful completion of a post-secondary program from a recognized academic
institution with specialization in water monitoring instrumentation.

Degree equivalency

Occupational Certification:
• Related certification in the operation of small boats (e.g., Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP), Marine Emergency Duty course (MED A3)).
• Certification from a recognized organization providing swimming certification for adults such as the Red Cross*
* If you do not possess an official swimming certification, but can verbally attest to your ability to go into water and or to swim, it would be considered as meeting this occupational certification.

Experience:
• Experience in conducting environmental monitoring pertaining to water quantity or land surveys.
• Experience in operating scientific instruments.
• Experience with computational procedures and producing water level and discharge data to standards relating to the National Hydrometric Program.
• Experience in construction, ranging from small to large-scale projects and involvement, and including the use of power tools.
• Experience related to the operation of small boats (e.g., Pleasure Craft Operator, Small Vessel), to Marine Emergency Duty.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
• No restriction traveling to the United States
• Successful pre-appointment and periodic category III health evaluations as per schedule
• Must hold and maintain a valid driver's license.
• To work overtime on weeknights and weekends as required.
• Requirement to work in remote areas (travel by small aircraft, helicopter, boats, trucks, hiking, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, etc.) and remain on travel status for up to two weeks at a time for the purpose of conducting field work.
• Requirement to work in adverse weather conditions.
• Requirement to accept assignments to various locations across Canada.
• Ability to lift 20 kg object from ground height, carry it 30m and deposit it at desk/work bench/tail gate height in less than 90 seconds (including any required rests). Candidates will be tested to determine that they meet this condition.
• Requirement to fully participate and successfully complete all practical and theoretical elements of the prescribed Occupational Health and Safety training as required by the HP-APTP such as:
o Practical exercises with motorized ice auger (Trainees will conduct practical exercises with auger)
o Chainsaw operation and safety (Trainees will conduct practical exercises with a chainsaw)
o Swift water Rescue (Training is conducted in a river environment)
o Small Vessel Operation Proficiency (Trainees will be expected to demonstrate boat operation)
o Underwater Egress for Helicopter-Ditching
o Operating Snowmobiles and ATV's (Practical training)
o Wilderness Survival (overnight exercise)

Candidates must meet and maintain the above conditions of employment for the duration of the developmental program (and/or in subsequent field work positions upon graduation of program).

Some training will require periodic recertification.

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

CHALLENGE
Training:
A career in the Water Survey of Canada offers you the chance to work in a challenging and stimulating environment. Newly hired hydrometric technicians start their career in a development program that progresses towards a permanent position as hydrometric technologists with full operational and technical responsibilities.

The Apprenticeship or Professional Training Program (APTP) is a training and development program. When enrolled in the program, new recruits progress from the entry level (EG-03) to the working level (EG-05) in about 3 ½ years if they achieve competency at each level.

One of the conditions of employment is that the training program be successfully completed by the recruit within required timeframes and to the minimum acceptable performance levels. APTP participants will be full-time employees but they will be on probation until successful completion of the APTP program. There are increased expectations and responsibilities for the trainees as their technical ability and knowledge increase.

Salary:
1) EG-03: $54,399* to $66,185 (18 months)
2) EG-04: $59,842* to $72,804 (24 months)
3) EG-05: $65,822* to $74,728 (operational level)
*initial salary is minimum, but annual increments are given until maximum pay is reached
*salary is under review

Upon graduation from the APTP, participants are appointed to a position at the EG-05 level. Graduates are considered ready for full operational and technical responsibilities, with minimum supervision.

Mobility:
Mobility is a condition of employment. Although technologists may stay in one office or region throughout their career, on occasion, postings outside the region of recruitment may be necessary for the recruit to acquire a particular skill or experience. The MSC reserves the right to apply the mobility requirement to all technologists at the entry, intermediate and working levels to meet the needs of the organization and to facilitate well-rounded training (i.e. provide exposure to varied instruments and systems, etc).

If you are looking for an exciting, challenging and interesting career, which involves both field work and office work, if you can work independently and in a team environment, and if hands-on problemsolving, initiative and adaptability are terms that describe you, an exciting career as a Hydrometric Technologist at Environment Canada awaits you!

The client organization will accept applications online only.
Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact the toll free number 1-800-645-5605 .

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).

Your résumé must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements.

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.