Writer/Editor

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

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers. AAFC strives to foster a culture of inclusion in which the diversity of people and ideas are supported by a work environment that is welcoming, respectful and a positive workplace where all employees feel valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices and perspectives. We welcome all applicants and strongly encourage candidates to self-declare if they belong to an Employment Equity designated group - Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities or Women.

Duties

The Writer/Editor is responsible for:
• writing, editing, reviewing, and proofreading a wide variety of material for accuracy, terminology, and quality of language for the offices of the Minister, Deputy Ministers, Corporate Secretary and the senior management team of the Department;
• providing expertise, advice, and services to client organizations;
• researching, identifying, consulting, and analyzing multiple sources to draft and edit correspondence for the signature of the Minister, Deputy Minister, Associate Deputy Minister, and Corporate Secretary;
• conducting research and consultation with clients to contribute to the development of an inventory of terminology, standard phrases, letters or paragraphs and of quality assurance standards; and
• researching, analyzing, and keeping abreast of departmental and relevant government policy and program initiatives as well as the diverse issues in the public environment related to AAFC portfolio issues.

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified and partially qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions in the Public Service with various tenures as well as various linguistic requirements.

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Education:

A degree* from a recognized** post-secondary institution**.

*The term degree refers to a baccalaureate as established by educational authorities.
**A public or private institution that has been given authority to grant degrees, diplomas, and other credentials by a public or private act of a provincial/territorial legislature or through a government-mandated quality assurance mechanism. For greater certainty, also included are institutions authorized to grant specific academic credentials for specific academic programs.

If you have foreign credentials, please consult the link below for information on how to obtain a degree equivalency. You must obtain an equivalency, at your own expense, in order to be considered for appointment into the public service.

Degree equivalency

Experience:

Stream 1:

Experience in translating documents from English to French in a fast-paced work environment.

Streams 1 and 2:

• Experience in writing, editing and proofreading various documents*;
• Experience in providing advice to clients and/or key stakeholders on written communication (grammar, style, tone, clarity); and
• Experience in researching, analyzing information and data from various sources to facilitate the preparation of documents to be read by the public.

*Various documents can include documents such as correspondence, memoranda, briefing notes, reports, presentations, information documents, speeches, policies, guidelines as well as documents that may be more complex.

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

Various language requirements
Bilingual Imperative:
PPC/PPC (Stream 1)
PPB/BBB (Stream 2)

Please note that these positions require the use of English and French. If you do not have a valid linguistic profile provided by the Public Service Commission, you will be evaluated in order to ascertain your level of proficiency of your 2nd official language.

In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of language skills in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

The self-assessment test is found at the following link: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/second-language-testing-public-service/self-assessment-tests.html

More information about Code "P" can be found at the following link: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/staffing/qualification-standards/relation-official-languages.html

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:

Knowledge of research methods and tools of writing and editing techniques.

Competencies:

Writing Skills
Teamwork
Analytical thinking
Client Focus
Dependability
Attention to detail

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

Asset Criteria

Education:

A degree* from a recognized post-secondary institution** with a specialization in communications, translation, journalism, English or French, or literature.

*the term “degree” refers to a baccalaureate as established by educational authorities.
**A public or private institution that has been given authority to grant degrees, diplomas, and other credentials by a public or private act of a provincial/territorial legislature or through a government-mandated quality assurance mechanism. For greater certainty, also included are institutions authorized to grant specific academic credentials for specific academic programs.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Experience working in a ministerial correspondence or briefings office unit.
• Experience in responding to requests from the public.
• Experience in using an information management and correspondence tracking system, (e.g. CCM Mercury or Enterprise).

Operational Requirements :

Ability and willingness to work overtime, often on short notice.

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

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

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted unless an accomodation is required.

APPLICATION AND CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION

Persons are entitled to participate in the staffing process in the official language of their choice (English or French). Applicants are asked to indicate their official language in their application.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email or direct e-mails to Junk Email).

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Asset qualifications may be a deciding factor in the screening process or for choosing the person to be appointed. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each criterion (including assets if pertinent). Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

Various assessment tools may be used to evaluate candidates, including second language evaluations.

Depending on the number of applicants, volume management strategies may be used.

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.