Seismic Analyst

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

The Government of Canada is committed to building a skilled workforce that is representative of Canada's diversity, which includes the recruitment of Canadian Veterans and releasing Canadian Armed Forces personnel.

We encourage applicants to identify any abilities, competencies, and/or experiences acquired through employment with the Canadian Armed Forces where applicable.

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.

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.

Duties

Under the general direction of the Seismology Operations Manager of the Canadian Hazards Information Service: Conduct earthquake-related analysis including precise earthquake locations and magnitude estimation, focal mechanisms, analyses of earthquake source, propagation, and site effects, assess seismograph station noise and/or perform station calibrations. The work involves project activity planning; determining the most appropriate methods/approaches/techniques to achieve assigned objectives; advising the supervisor of resources needed to achieve objectives. Organize, test, and utilize earthquake-locating software for the processing and/or analysis of earthquakes. Archive seismometer and/or earthquake parameters and prepare reports and/or earthquake catalogues. Ensure quality control of input to the Canadian Earthquake Database. Manage and manipulate large geophysical and geospatial datasets. Independently synthesize and interpret earthquake data to produce reports, and, in collaboration with colleagues, contribute to the development of scientific papers. Respond to internal and external client enquiries concerning earthquakes and earthquake hazard. This will include answering mail, e-mail and telephone inquiries, or re-directing to other personnel as appropriate, giving public lectures, conducting tours, doing media interviews, etc. As part of the Seismologist on Call team, or other duty roster, (24/7 earthquake response) provide rapid information on earthquakes directly to the media, government agencies, the general public and/or NRCan management as required in a competent and professional matter.

Intent of the process

A pool of (fully or partially qualified) candidates may be established through this process to staff identical or similar positions at the PC-02 group and level within Natural Resources Canada with various tenures (determinate period or permanent), various language requirements (English Essential, French Essential, English or French Essential, or Bilingual), linguistic requirements (imperative and/or non-imperative) and profile(s) (BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC, CCC/CCC, etc.), various security requirements (Reliability status or Secret clearance), various conditions of employment and for various locations.

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 3,000 words (maximum) "It is your responsibility as a candidate to submit a cover letter, which clearly outlines how you meet each of the screening qualifications (i.e. Education and experience, both essential and asset) as well as a resume which is linked to the information in your cover letter. Please note that it is not sufficient to only state that the qualification is met or to provide a listing of current or past responsibilities. Rather you must provide concrete examples, which illustrate how you meet each qualification. One suitable approach is to use each screening qualification as a heading, and provide a description outlining how that qualification is met. Failure to do so may result in your elimination from this appointment process."

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 physics, geology or some other science relevant to the position.
Note:
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 in the processing and interpretation of geophysical data.
Experience independently conducting earthquake, or other seismic events, related analyses (e.g., determining earthquake locations, analysis of earthquake source, crustal path or site effects, seismic hazard studies or seismograph characterization).
Experience in analysing scientific information and writing scientific reports.

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

Various language requirements
Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB, English or French Essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of earthquakes and tectonics.
Knowledge of methodology for the processing of earthquake data.
Knowledge of digital signal processing.

Ability to complete projects autonomously.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to prepare reports of analysis and results.
Ability to communicate effectively orally
Ability to confidently and effectively handle media enquiries and public speaking.

Effective interpersonal skills
Initiative
Judgement
Dependability

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

Masters in Science from a recognized university with acceptable specialization in Geophysics or another discipline related to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience analysing seismograph recordings and working with earthquake data.
Experience in Python, Matlab or similar scripting packages.
Experience working with and manipulating large geospatial datasets in a GIS framework.
Experience working with data processing packages (e.g., SeisComP3, Antelope, ObsPy, SAC) used for earthquake studies.
Experience leading or managing scientific projects.

Natural Resources Canada is committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. This organizational need may be identified as part of the appointment decision. In such cases, qualified candidates who self-declare as members of a visible minority group, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities or women (in non-traditional occupations) could be considered in priority.

May participate in field operations in urban, rural and wilderness environments.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Pre employment medical.
Willingness and ability to undertake travel.
Available to perform standby during off-hours and work on-call on a rotational basis as duty-seismologist.

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

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; we thank all those
who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

You must provide proof of your education credentials. Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/.

References must have an in-depth and direct knowledge of your work, and must be able to answer specific questions pertaining to your achievements and strengths. References must have worked with you for at least six (6) months within the last five (5) years.

An interview may be conducted.

A written examination may be administered.

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.

Candidates may be required to meet the other qualifications, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

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.

Candidates must meet the conditions of employment and continue to meet these same conditions during their employment.

Natural Resources Canada is committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. This organizational need may be identified as part of the appointment decision. In such cases, qualified candidates who self-declare as members of a visible minority group, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities or women (in non-traditional occupations) could be considered in priority.

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.