Seeking Senior Regulatory Affairs Officers - Grow your budding career with Health Canada!

Important messages

Are you looking to grow a career in the regulatory field? Become buds with Health Canada! Are you:

• a university graduate with a minimum of an undergraduate science degree (e.g., pharmacy, chemistry, etc.)?
• interested in protecting the health of Canadians through effective regulatory enforcement?
• passionate about the cannabis industry and excited for your chance to work alongside industry professionals?
• a critical thinker with the ability to be adaptive in the face of change and take initiative?

If this sounds like you, read on to learn more about this opportunity!

Duties

These positions will focus on License Application Reviews and Divisional Support. This means that you will have the opportunity to work on files that are particularly complex in nature, with new product offerings or manufacturing processes. You will have review checklists and established guidelines to assist you, as well as our fantastic team. You will be able to interact directly with clients and stakeholders to clarify evidence to ensure all criteria for licensing are met. You will have opportunities to summarize you findings and present them to management.

From a divisional support perspective, you will be the subject matter expert on licensing processes. This comes with the opportunity to propose and support the implementation of ideas for improvements in the licensing process. There will also be opportunities to support other exciting projects and initiatives for the division.

Who’s right for the job?

Successful candidates will have a keen eye for detail and possess excellent judgement. Working in an emerging industry means that you need to, take initiative, be adaptable, and think critically! We work in a fast-paced environment, where there are ever changing priorities. We are seeking team players with excellent interpersonal skills – someone that is client service oriented. You must be respectful of diversity to be successful in this role. A passion for the cannabis industry and career growth will also help you succeed!

Are you interested in working at a cutting-edge organization that values both your physical and psychological health and wellness, provides rich career development opportunities and rewards innovation? Health Canada is among Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2021 in addition to being recognized as Top employer for Young People since 2015 and as Best Diversity Employer since 2010! Don’t miss your opportunity to not only enjoy the unparalleled benefits of the public service, but to get so much more on our award-winning team!

Work environment

Who are we?

Health Canada is the federal department responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health. Our goal is for Canada to be among the countries with the healthiest people in the world. For more information, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada.html

We are the Implementation and Licensing Unit, and we work under Health Canada’s Licensing and Medical Access Directorate. As part of the Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch, we are a trusted scientific and regulatory authority for cannabis in Canada. We support the branch with balanced policy advice and options to address issues affecting licensing, specialized authorizations and the medical cannabis access program. We engage with subject matter experts across the Directorate, Branch, and Health Canada, as well as other federal government departments and external stakeholders to ensure we are providing broad based, integrated policy advice.

Due to COVID-19, our teams currently work virtually from home, using the latest technologies to stay connected. Applicants should be aware that while the positions are formally located in either Vancouver or Victoria, British Columbia, their may be opportunities to enter into a telework agreement on a permanent basis in some scenarios. Therefore, we encourage applicants from across Canada to apply!

If and when onsite work starts again, we guarantee that you will feel refreshed, energized, and inspired working with Health Canada in British Columbia! Vancouver frequently ranks highly as one of the world’s most livable cities. It was recently ranked as the best city to live in North America by Mercer’s Quality of Living. Its scenic location near the ocean, tucked up against the North Shore Mountains, makes living in Vancouver an ideal base for year-round exploration. In Victoria, reawaken what drives you by connecting with a Pacific coast setting like you've never experienced before. Reconnect with experiences that feed your soul. Relish in the gift of being present as you relax into Victoria, BC!

Are you ready to be buds with us? Applying is easy! You only need to include your CV and a brief cover letter explaining how you meet the experience and education (essential qualifications) needed for the positions.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to hire two (2) indeterminate (permanent) Regulatory Compliance & Enforcement Officers in the British Columbia region. Due to COVID-19, our teams currently work virtually from home, using the latest technologies to stay connected. Applicants should be aware that while these positions are formally located in British Columbia, there may be opportunities to enter into a telework agreement on a permanent basis in some scenarios.

In addition, applicants should be aware that this process will be used to create a pool of qualified candidates that may be used to staff other positions within the Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch across Canada at the same group and level (SG-SRE-04).

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 2,000 words (maximum) "Please provide a cover letter that explains how you meet the required (must-have) education and experience. If you have the nice-to-have (asset) experience/training, do not forget to tell us."

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

A bachelor’s of science degree from a recognized university with a concentration in microbiology, chemistry, mechanical engineering, pharmacy, food science, or another discipline relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience in carrying out regulatory processes such as screening, reviewing or analyzing information related to regulated substances, products or activities professionally or academically; and
Experience participating in the development or implementation of standards, policies, guidelines or systems related to regulatory affairs professionally or academically; and
Experience participating in committees, project teams or working groups regarding operational, policy, scientific or regulatory issues professionally or academically.

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 - CBC/CBC

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of the principles of good production practices or good manufacturing practices as it relates to the production of regulated products.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to apply risk management principles.
Ability to interpret legislation.

Effective interpersonal skills.
Attention to detail.
Initiative.
Judgement.
Client Service Oriented.
Respectful of diversity.

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

Graduation with a post-graduate certificate in Regulatory Affairs or Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, or some other specialty related to the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience working in a regulated or environment or as a regulator.

Knowledge of the Cannabis Act and its Regulations.
Knowledge of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and its Regulations.
Knowledge of the Food and Drugs Act and its Regulations.

Willingness and ability to work occasional overtime.
Willingness and ability to travel on occasion.

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

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 special accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gcjobs/information-candidates/accommodations.html

You are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of your choice (English or French). You are asked to indicate your preferred official language in your application.

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.