Physical Scientist II & III

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

Duties

Physical Scientist II
While key activities may vary from position to position, in general, a Physical Scientist II employee is expected to:
• Plan, organize and undertake assigned scientific projects to create enhanced knowledge, concepts and methodologies in physical/environmental science.
• Provide scientific information, advice and recommendations within own subject area to managers, researchers, colleagues and external clients on issues respecting the conduct, methodologies, and the findings of scientific projects and investigations.
• Participate in the development of new instrumentation, methods, technology and quality control/assurance procedures and protocols for the collection and analysis of scientific data.
• Participate in/ leading, short-term projects such as multidisciplinary at-sea, field, and laboratory studies.
• Maintain custody and safekeeping of scientific samples, sample archives, equipment and instrumentation, and scientific data and information in hard-copy and electronic format.
• Write and/or contribute to the preparation of scientific papers and reports within a specialized area of physical/environmental science, and as a team member in peer reviews of scientific manuscripts.
• Review and evaluate new knowledge and advances in physical/environmental science for relevance as improvements to current practices respecting the collection, management, statistical analysis, and interpretation of data.

Physical Scientist III
While key activities may vary from position to position, in general, a Physical Scientist III employee is expected to:
• Design, plan, manage and undertake complex scientific projects to create enhanced knowledge, understanding, concepts and methodologies in a specialized area of physical/environmental science.
• Provide authoritative scientific information and advice, and recommend policies, strategies, standards and methodologies related to physical and aquatic science relevant to the conservation and management of fisheries and ocean resources.
• Develop new concepts, instrumentation, methods, technology and quality control/assurance procedures and protocols for the collection and analysis of physical, environmental or geoscience data.
• Manage assigned human, financial and material resources.
• Develop proposals for funding and cost recovery arrangements, negotiate partnerships, and act as scientific authority for approved professional service contracts.
• Serve as chief scientist or project leader in the planning, management and direction of multidisciplinary scientific projects and studies.
• Write, review and publish scientific papers, reports and authoritative reviews in physical/environmental science.

Intent of the process

The intention is to staff four PC-02 and PC-03 positions on a temporary and permanent basis. A pool will be established and may be used to staff similar positions on a temporary or permanent basis in St. John’s, NL.

Positions to be filled: 4

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in natural, physical or applied science

Degree equivalency

PC2 and PC3:
Experience organizing and conducting scientific projects.

PC2 and PC3:
Experience processing, analyzing, and interpreting scientific data.

PC2 and PC3:
Experience contributing to technical or scientific reports or papers.

PC2 and PC3:
Experience writing computer programs or scripts to analyze scientific data.

PC3 Only:
Experience designing, developing and leading scientific projects

PC3 Only:
Experience in developing novel methodology and techniques or adapting existing complex applications, for analysis of scientific data

PC3 Only:
Experience as lead author in preparation of technical or scientific reports or papers.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Ability to communicate orally.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to prioritize tasks.

Flexibility
Effective Interpersonal Skills
Leadership (PC 3 only)

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

The following asset qualifications will be assessed at a later date. Additional assets may be requested in the future.

Graduation with a M.Sc. or Ph.D. degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, with acceptable specialization in physics, geology, chemistry or some other science relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience developing and operating integrated computerized instrumented scientific sampling systems (PC-2 minimum one project/mth as participant, PC-3 Minimum 1 year experience > 1 project lead).

Experience developing, planning, organizing and conducting at sea testing and/or calibrations of marine scientific instrument systems (PC-2 Once as participant, PC-3 multiple, leading).

Experience working at sea in a range of sea states for extended periods of time (an extended period of time is defined as > 5 days).

Experience in hydroacoustic theory, methods and analysis used in fisheries stock assessment, ecosystem investigations or fish behaviour studies.

Experience working with electronics, operating systems or computer networking.

Experience planning, conducting and evaluating projects to develop, enhance, calibrate and measure the performance of marine scientific instruments (PC-2 user level, PC-3 lead).

Experience working collaboratively with departmental, or international members of the larger scientific community. (PC-2 1 instance, PC-3 multiple).

Experience using geographic information system software (e.g. ESRI ArcGIS) in a work or research environment.

Experience in quality control processing of scientific data.

Experience in the development and deployment of scientific data products on Web platforms.

Experience in Linux or Unix operating systems.

Experience in ocean circulation modelling.

Experience conducting scientific field work in coastal waters on small vessels.

Experience providing scientific advice and recommendations to managers, researchers, or external clients on issues respecting the conduct, methodologies, or findings of scientific projects and investigations.

Experience in scientific data management and database design.

Experience in best practices of software versioning and control.

Experience with ocean particle tracking software (e.g. Open Drift, Ariane, OceanParcels or others).

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Reliability Status security clearance

For some positions:
A valid Health Canada medical (Scientific Field Personnel)
Work flexible hours and overtime
Work at sea on research vessels or as part of traveling shore-based work groups for up to 12 weeks per year, as required
Travel to regional, national and/or international meetings, as required
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

The asset qualifications will be assessed at a later date.

Additional assets may be requested in the future.

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

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.