Master of Science Student - Project on soil moisture and snow - Research Affiliate Program

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

This MSc project is part of a multidisciplinary and multi-institutional project on cumulative effects in the Fox Creek area in west-central Alberta, where oil and gas activities have occurred over the past 50 years. This project will focus on the collection of data on soil moisture and snow over a full year, gathering data on the evolution of water at the surface and in the near subsurface to better understand the water budget in this area. This project will include regular fieldwork to take samples of soil and snow, measure the thickness of the snow cover and its density, and install and maintain sensors for continuous monitoring on soil moisture. This work will focus on periodic sampling of several locations within the 700 km2 study area of the Fox Creek project, selected to be representative for their surficial geology, vegetation and physiographic characteristics (such as the slope and runoff coefficient) of a much larger area in the Fox Creek region. Laboratory work will include grain-size analyses, measurement of soil moisture and mineralogy on intact soil samples taken at different depths, and the general chemistry of snow and interstitial water. Results of this work will support the development of a hydro-ecological model and help with mapping soil moisture and snow characteristics using remote sensing, providing ground-truth data.

Intent of the process

The intention is to staff one student position for the completion of a Master of Science -
**MSc PROJECT ON SOIL MOISTURE AND SNOW IN THE FOX CREEK AREA, WEST-CENTRAL ALBERTA**

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

The candidate must currently be in his/her last year of a BSc degree in Geology or Earth sciences in a Canadian university. This MSc is conditional on obtaining the BSc degree in May/June 2021.
The candidate must have good grades (≥ 3.5) to show his/her motivation on pursuing graduate studies.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCES:
In the context of student recruitment in the federal public service, experience can be acquired through studies, work experience or volunteer activities.
►Experience with Geographic Information System (GIS) tools.
►Experience working efficiently in a team.

ABILITIES:
►Ability to communicate effectively orally.
►Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

QUALITÉS PERSONNELLES:
►Adaptability
►Judgement
►Motivation and autonomy

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

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

Information on employment equity

The Department of Natural Resources Canada is committed to having a skilled and diversified workforce representative of the population we serve. In support of our strategy to achieve employment equity goals, selection may be limited to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: women, Aboriginal persons, persons with a disability and members of visible minority groups.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - NOTE: Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment. Therefore, the student will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-related documents.

►The student will need to be registered at the University of Alberta (in Edmonton) for this MSc degree, where his/her advisor will be located, and reside in or close to Edmonton due to the location of fieldwork (in the Fox Creek area).

►The student must be ready to do regular fieldwork and laboratory work as requested by the project supervisors, and be willing to complete field and safety training required for that work.

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

For this selection process, it is our intention to communicate with candidates via email. 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).

A written examination may be administered.
An interview may be conducted.
Reference may be sought.

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/.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

You must indicate on your application if you require a technical aid for testing or an alternative method of assessment.

Candidates from outside the public service may be required to pay for travel and relocation costs associated with this selection process.

Successful completion of both a RAP work assignment and your educational program may lead to a temporary or permanent federal public service position for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.

Preference

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.