Social Science Researcher

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Assessment accommodation

Work environment

The Northern Forestry Centre, Canadian Forestry Service is seeking social science researchers focused on advancing solutions to climate change adaptation, cumulative effects, forest restoration, and wildland fire within Canada’s forest sector and forest-based communities.

We are currently staffing one indeterminate social science research position to advance understanding of climate change adaptation methods and practice within Canada’s forest sector and forest-based communities. The position will focus on addressing the numerous social contexts that inhibit or enhance the mainstreaming of climate change into sustainable forest management in Canada. These contexts may include, for example, organizational and governance constructs, forest sector and forest-based community adaptive capacity, the role of science and knowledge in decision-making, economic and financial instruments to support adaptation, etc. The ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of sustainable forest management in Canada, a demonstrated knowledge of climate change adaptation within complex socio-ecological systems, and experience in advancing decision-making approaches within forest industry and/or forest-based communities, including Indigenous communities.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff one (1) indeterminate position located in Edmonton, Alberta.

A pool of (fully or partially) qualified candidates may be established through this process to staff identical or similar positions at Natural Resources Canada with various tenures, various linguistic requirements, language requirements and profile(s), various security requirements, various conditions of employment and for various locations.

This staffing process will be used to generate a pool of qualified candidates who may be considered for future staffing in other fields of research on either a term or indeterminate basis. We are targeting broad and integrative thinkers who would be able to either develop new research programs and/or to integrate with existing research activities of the Canadian Forest Service. Candidates would require demonstrated experience in the theories and principles, methods, and peer-reviewed publication of social science research.

One area of possible future staffing is within CFS’s National Cumulative Effects Program to examine social, cultural, and economic aspects of natural resource development focussing broadly on species at risk (e.g., caribou, but not limited to), land reclamation, indigenous knowledge, and ecosystem health. Staffing is also possible within our Wildland Fire program, with a focus on human dimensions of wildland fire management. Candidates interested in these other areas of research are also encouraged to apply.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 5,000 words (maximum) "Candidates must submit a cover letter which clearly demonstrates how they meet each of the screening criteria (i.e. essential education and experience qualifications). For the experience criteria, 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. The candidate must provide concrete examples to demonstrate that the qualification is met. In addition, the candidate is encouraged to describe in detail when, where and how he/she gained the experience. If you meet any of the asset experience criteria, please include this in your cover letter."

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

Education - Employer-approved alternative:
An acceptable master's or bachelor's degree coupled with acceptable research, training and experience. The degree must be from a recognized post-secondary institution and in scientific fields and specialties related to the duties of the position. The training and experience must clearly demonstrate the ability to do personal research of doctoral degree calibre.

Note:
Acceptable research is defined as research of a calibre published in peer-reviewed journals.
Acceptable experience is defined as experience acquired through direct or collaborative research activities with industry, academia, and other government organizations,
Acceptable training is defined as training acquired through the attendance at and presentation of results via international conferences, coupled with acceptable professional development course work in areas such as (but not limited to) advanced data analytics, community and indigenous engagement, communications, leadership, and project management.

Productivity/Recognition:
Productivity or recognition is required for all positions in the Research Scientist sub-group (SE-RES) (Revised October 1, 1999).

Productivity or recognition includes developmental work leading to the issue of patents, copyrights, or the creation of improved varieties, functions, or designs, and/or recognition by the professional community of the research environment. It also refers to recognized achievement in the form of authorship and editorship of published or unpublished reports, books, papers, or other communications resulting from:
• Research, experimental development, or tasking associated with operational equipment and problems;
• Operational research and scientific analysis;
• Planning, analysis and evaluation of Canadian and foreign programs in research and development.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Designing, planning, and executing social science research studies
• Engaging with rural or urban forest-based communities, or other forestry stakeholders to conduct social science research
• Collecting, compiling, analyzing and interpreting social science data and results
• Creative qualitative, quantitative, and geospatial data-analysis techniques

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

Asset Experience:
• Developing new research techniques and methods
• Supervising scientific technical staff, students, and visiting scientists
• Completing Social science research examining the cumulative effects from land use on (but not limited to) individuals, communities, regions, cultures, and economies.
• Conducting Social Science research on the human dimensions of climate change adaptation
• Conducting Social Science research on species-at-risk recovery (e.g., woodland caribou in Canada) or the health of ecosystems (e.g., invasive species, pest outbreaks or mitigation)
• Conducting social science research examining land-use reclamation or restoration
• Working with indigenous communities

Operational Requirements:
• Willing and able to travel within Canada and abroad, including travel by car, rail and air.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
• Of data acquisition, analysis, processing and testing methodologies
• Of the theories and principles, methods, and techniques of social science research

Abilities & Competencies:
• Demonstrating integrity and respect
• Develop research collaborations and partnerships
• Working effectively with others
• Showing initiative and being action-oriented
• Ability to prepare and deliver effective presentations

Personal Suitability:
• Adaptability
• Diplomacy
• Empathy
• Team Player

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

Asset Knowledge:
• Knowledge of the principles of ethical evaluation and approval.
• Knowledge of Indigenous cultures and ways of knowing.
• Knowledge of techniques and software for advanced data analytics, particularly for qualitative data

Asset Abilities & Competencies:
• To identify, extract, organize and synthesize relevant information from different information sources.

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

Conditions of Employment:
• Field medical may be required for work in the field.
• Valid class 5 Alberta 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

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.