National Microbiology Laboratory - Infrastructure Operations Inventory

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 Public Health Agency of Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) is in a period of growth and requires top talent to support it’s Scientific Informatics Services team.

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory process that is evergreen and used to fill current and future vacancies. It allows you to apply for a range of positions simultaneously, therefore it is important to answer the screening questions honestly to better your chances of successfully being matched with meaningful positions. The system allows you to refresh your responses on a continued basis as your circumstances change or experience progresses.

Applicants included in the inventory may be pulled for review and could be referred for one or more opportunities based on screening criteria and needs of the position(s) to be staffed. As positions become available, applicants who meet the required qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

The breadth and depth of experience may be considered during screening, assessment and/or selection of candidates. You must provide examples and details of how you meet each experience requirement, including when, where, and how you obtained the experience.

Duties

Cloud Computing - The Cloud Computing Technical Advisor is accountable/responsible for providing technical expertise, analysis, design, development and administration of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) services, Software/Platform as a Service (SaaS/PaaS) and provisioning tools.

Data Infrastructure - The Data Infrastructure Technical Advisor is accountable/responsible for providing technical expertise, analysis, design, development and administration of enterprise storage platforms, backup systems and methodologies, auditing and access controls and data integration.

High Performance Computing - The High Performance Computing Technical Advisor is accountable/responsible for providing technical expertise, analysis, design, administration and monitoring of a high performance compute cluster. Areas of responsibility will include HPC cluster design, job scheduling and HPC application deployment and optimisation.

Networking - The Networking Technical Advisor is accountable/responsible for providing technical expertise, analysis, design, deployment, monitoring and troubleshooting of enterprise networking hardware.

Security - The Security Technical Advisor is accountable/responsible for providing technical expertise, analysis, design, development, and implementation of infrastructure / security technologies, controls and safeguards. These technologies and safeguards are required to enable a range of scientific activity and operational needs. You will be responsible for monitoring the health and effectiveness of infrastructure and security controls and responding to issues and concerns.

Server Management - The Server Management Technical Advisor is accountable/responsible for providing technical expertise, analysis, design, development and implementation of Windows and Linux based servers and associated services. You will be responsible for Linux and Windows administration and troubleshooting, and assist with the automated provisioning of IT infrastructure and applications, deployment of infrastructure as code and remote endpoint management.

Virtualization - The Virtualisation Technical Advisor is accountable/responsible for providing technical expertise, analysis, design, development and administration of enterprise virtualisation platforms. You will be responsible for virtual machine platforms and desktop and application virtualisation.

Infrastructure and Operations Team Lead - The Team Lead will provide supervision of a team engaged in the design, development, implementation,integration, maintenance and support of one of the areas of speciality listed above. The Team Lead is accountable/responsible for planning, organizing and coordinating and monitoring IT projects or support activities and for gathering and analyzing client and partner business requirements and providing advice specifically in the context of information technology infrastructure projects.

Work environment

The Public Health Agency of Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) provides scientific expertise and laboratory capacity for infectious disease monitoring, detection, investigation and outbreak response to support national and international public health action. NML strives to be the employer of choice for Canadian and international scientific and non-scientific staff. Our employees contribute leadership, ingenuity, expertise and innovation to safeguard the health of Canadians and the global community.

Successful candidates will provide leadership and technical expertise for the Infrastructure and Operations team in the division of Scientific Informatics Services, which in turn supports various Divisions within NML as they conduct diagnostic, research, surveillance and other forms of work on a range of pathogens with public health significance.

Disruptive laboratory technologies spanning genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics disciplines are commonplace in this world-class scientific organisation and we are seeking the right individuals to execute the support, design, configuration and management of critical IT systems that underpin a range of specialised laboratory operations. Much of our work is directly tied to advancing public health science and increasing technical capacities and capabilities to better understand, detect and respond to emerging health threats that may impact the public health of Canadians. Your work will be meaningful, well resourced and compliment a highly skilled and respected infrastructure team!

Intent of the process

This process is intended to create and maintain an inventory of candidates to fill a variety of positions in the Division of Scientific Informatics Services at the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML). Although the immediate intent of this opportunity is to staff indeterminately, applicants should be aware that a pool of qualified candidates (fully assessed or partially assessed) may be established and may be used to staff similar positions at this group and level for various tenures (indeterminate, acting appointments, assignment, deployment, specified period, secondment).

Applicants may be referred for one or more opportunities through call-outs sent directly through this inventory if they meet the needs of the position identified for staffing. Only those candidates referred will be contacted. Given that your application may be accessed at any point, we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible and responding to call-outs that match your experience and interest as they arise.

This inventory enables you to be matched to job opportunities that span a variety of disciplines including Cloud Computing, Data Infrastructure, High Performance Computing, Networking, Security, Server Management, and Virtualization. Please respond to all screening questions that correspond to your experience.

Referral of candidate applications is planned for May 10, 2021. It is therefore important for candidates to apply online as soon as possible.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION:
Successful completion of two years of an acceptable post-secondary educational program in computer science, information technology, information management or another specialty relevant to the position to be staffed.

NOTES:
1. Indeterminate period incumbents of positions in the CS group on May 10, 1999, who do not possess the education prescribed above are deemed to meet the minimum education standards based on their education, training and/or experience. They must be accepted as having met the minimum education standard whenever this standard is called for when staffing positions in the CS group.
2. It is a recognized educational institution (e.g., community college, CÉGEP or university) that determines if the courses taken by a candidate correspond to two years of a post-secondary program at the institution.
3. At the manager's discretion, an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience may serve as an alternative to the minimum post-secondary education stated above. Whenever the minimum education is met via this alternative, it is met for the specific position only and must be re-assessed for other positions for which this alternative has been specified by the manager.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
• Recent* and significant** experience in designing, building, testing, monitoring and deploying of technical solutions based on the analysis of system, security and business requirements.

• Recent* and significant** experience in specifying, monitoring and applying IT infrastructure and/or security system configurations in alignment with corporate requirements, policies and standards.

• Recent* and significant** providing IT architecture advice and guidance on the selection and incorporation of IT solutions throughout all aspects of information system design.

• Recent* and significant** experience troubleshooting and resolving complex technical problems in order to facilitate service delivery to internal and external clients.

*Recent experience is defined as the experience normally acquired within the last five (5) years.
**Significant experience is defined as depth and breadth of experience normally associated with the performance of those duties on a regular basis for a period of two (2) years.
Breadth and depth is defined as a combination of time spent doing the activity, as well as type (range, scope, and complexity) of work performed.

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

Various language requirements
English essential
French essential
Bilingual imperative BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC, CCC/CCC

Information on language requirements

COMPETENCIES:
• Analytical Thinking (Proficiency Level 3)
• Client Focus (Proficiency Level 2)
• Teamwork (Proficiency Level 3)
• Infrastructure / Platforms (Proficiency Level 4)

ABILITIES:
• Ability to plan and execute the installation, configuration, maintenance, testing, monitoring and support of an organizations’ IT infrastructure, operations and security, including the development of protocols, regulations, processes and standards.

• Ability to analyse complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and propose recommendations and implement solutions.

• Ability to manage numerous projects simultaneously, coordinate the activities of others, work under pressure and quickly adapt to changing priorities.

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

Note: Candidates may be required to meet additional qualifications. These additional qualifications may be deemed as either an Essential or Asset qualification, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed. Candidates must indicate on their online applications which additional Education and Experience qualifications they meet and provide detailed examples of how they meet each experience requirement, including when, where, and how the experience was obtained. Your résumé may be used as a secondary source of information.

EDUCATION:
A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with specialization in Computer Sciences, Computer Engineering or any other field relevant to the position.

Recognized industry and professional certifications in the IM/IT field.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
Dependent on the needs of the position being staffed within the following categories:

Cloud Computing
• Recent* and Significant** experience designing, implementing, and administering public or private IaaS cloud infrastructure such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS, Google GCE, or OpenStack covering a range of technical areas including the deployment of compute resources, storage, or networking using automated deployment tools (AWS Cloudformation, Terraform, Heat, etc.).

Data Infrastructure
• Recent* and significant** experience designing, implementing, and administering enterprise data systems such as backup systems, storage area networks (SAN), network attached storage (NAS), databases, or data integration tools including the development of policies and procedures related to disaster recovery or data security.

High Performance Computing
• Recent* and significant** experience designing, implementing, and administering a Linux high performance computing cluster including automated cluster deployments, job scheduling, performance optimization, or HPC application installation.

Networking
• Recent* and significant** experience designing and implementing network topologies for highly available networks including documenting and validating the configuration.

• Recent* and significant** experience deploying, monitoring, and troubleshooting enterprise networking hardware.

Security
• Recent* and significant** experience designing, implementing, and administering IT security systems, services, procedures, and policies in an enterprise environment in one or more of the following areas: (Please indicate your level of experience in each area)
o Firewalls
o Intrusion Detection
o Security Incident Event Management
o Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware
o Data Loss prevention
o Network Security
o Vulnerability Assessment
o Incident Response (detection/identification, triage/analysis, containment/remediation, follow-up/reporting)

Server Management
• Recent* and significant** experience designing, implementing, and administering Windows and Linux based servers and associated services or applications throughout all aspects of the server lifecycle.

• Recent* and significant** experience designing, implementing, and administering software for the automated provisioning and management of distributed Windows or Linux based endpoints including asset tracking, software distribution, security policies, or system updates.

Virtualization
• Recent* and significant** experience designing, implementing, and administering an enterprise virtualization platform including virtual machine platforms, container orchestration, desktop and application virtualization, or hybrid cloud systems in a highly available environment.

Team Leadership
• Recent* experience providing IM/IT related advice/recommendations or services to internal business clients and/or management in one or more of the following:
o Cloud Computing
o Data Infrastructure
o High Performance Computing
o Networking
o Security
o Server Management
o Virtualization

• Recent* experience in client engagement, acting as a liaison between IM/IT and business teams.

• Recent* experience leading a team delivering IM/IT project(s).

• Recent* experience leading or significantly contributing to an IT initiative, IT project or IT maintenance activity.

• Recent* experience developing and managing a project plan, including timelines, deliverables, milestones and costs.

• Recent* experience evaluating/piloting new technologies to identify how they integrate with existing platforms.

*Recent experience is defined as the experience normally acquired within the last five (5) years.
**Significant experience is defined as depth and breadth of experience normally associated with the performance of those duties on a regular basis for a period of two (2) years.
Breadth and depth is defined as a combination of time spent doing the activity, as well as type (range, scope, and complexity) of work performed.

KNOWLEDGE:
• Knowledge of cloud computing concepts and technologies such as:
o IaaS services
o Provisioning tools
o SaaS/PaaS Platforms
o Big Data Analytics

• Knowledge of enterprise data infrastructure concepts and technologies such as:
o Storage platforms
o Backup systems and methodologies
o Auditing and access controls
o Data integration

• Knowledge of high performance computing concepts and technologies such as:
o HPC cluster design
o Job scheduling
o Linux application deployment including containers
o Performance optimization and troubleshooting
o Cloud-based HPC environments

• Knowledge of network concepts and environments, such as:
o Network switch deployment and operation
o Network Design
o Networking services
o Routing protocols
o Virtual private networks

• Knowledge of enterprise security concepts and technologies such as:
o Enterprise security appliances and tools
o Endpoint security
o Network security design
o Logging and analytics
o Incident response

• Knowledge of server management concepts and technologies such as:
o Linux and Windows administration and troubleshooting
o Infrastructure as code
o Automated provisioning of IT infrastructure and applications
o Remote endpoint management

• Knowledge of virtualization concepts and technologies such as:
o Virtual machine platforms
o Container orchestration
o Desktop and application virtualization

• Knowledge of the application of genomics, bioinformatics, and proteomics (methods, equipment, and related IM/IT applications/databases/platforms).

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Operational requirements may vary according to the position being staffed.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Must be available during core hours
• Willingness and ability to carry and respond to a mobile device.
• Willingness and ability to occasionally work overtime, often on short notice.
• Willing and able to work outside of core hours to support outbreak and emergency laboratory response efforts.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Secret or Reliability security clearance (depending on the position)

Successful candidates must meet and maintain all terms and conditions of employment for the duration of their employment.

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

The Public Health Agency of Canada is committed to Employment Equity. In order to ensure a diversified workforce, preference may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one or more of the following Employment Equity groups: aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minority groups provided the candidate meets all essential qualifications listed on the job opportunity notice and any applicable asset qualification(s).

// Information about Applying to Inventories //

■ The inventory will be updated every 90 days. You will receive periodic system-generated e-mails advising that your application will expire in a certain number of days, and asking you to log in to your GC Jobs account to resubmit your application. It is important that you monitor your e-mail and resubmit your application when prompted, or your application will be removed from the inventory. This ensures that the information that is provided to hiring managers is current and up-to-date, as well as ensuring that the candidates in the inventory are still interested in employment. You can click on the link in the e-mail to access your account, and you will have a message informing you that your application is set to expire. Click on “Update My Inventory Status” to resubmit your application.

// Are you ready to apply? //

■ To apply for any position, you need to first create a profile in the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS), which should only take about 10 minutes. Then, after ensuring you meet the position requirements, scroll to the bottom of the poster and click on "Apply online."

■ Work your way through the list of requirements, completing each section and saving as you go. Before submitting your application, please ensure that there are green check marks on every single category before submitting your application.

■ If there are any red Xs on the categories, please click into that category and ensure that everything has been filled out. Screening questions have been built into the application process and occasionally an applicant may miss a field on the Screening Questions page. Please thoroughly review to ensure that you have responded to each question, including all the "Yes / No " questions.

■ PSRS will automatically disconnect candidates without warning after 60 minutes if there is no activity. You need to save or move to a new screen to maintain your connection. Typing information without saving does not prevent you from being disconnected. Applicants may find it helpful to first use a word processing software to complete their responses using concrete and detailed examples, then copy and paste the responses into PSRS afterwards.

■ If you have further questions on how to apply or experience technical difficulties with your application, please visit the following website: http://www.cfp-psc.gc.ca/contact-jobs/index-eng.php

■ We will only accept on-line applications received via the Public Service Jobs site. Persons with disabilities or residing in locations that prevent them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

// Updating your Application //

■ You can choose to update your application when you resubmit it to the inventory, or anytime that something changes that will impact your application. For example, if you gain more experience in an area that is related to the qualifications outlined in the inventory, it would be beneficial to update your application to reflect this. Since hiring managers screen applications based on the information you provided in the screening questions, it is recommended that you include experience gained after you initially submitted your application to ensure they have all of the relevant information. This also applies to changes in your education level, locations or positions you are interested in, or any of the answers you provided to the screening questions.

To update your information you need to log into your GC Jobs account and retrieve your application. Your application will revert to In Progress, and allow you to make the necessary changes. You must resubmit your application to have it included in the inventory. If you do not wish to remain in the inventory you can delete your application at this stage.


// Screening //

■ Screening criteria is established to determine which candidates will qualify for further consideration and assessment. During the screening stage, the screening board will review your application to determine if you meet the essential education and essential experiences. However, some managers may opt to use asset education and asset experiences as well. This is why it is essential to provide concrete examples.

■ If you are a candidate that has been “screened-in,” this means that you may undergo further assessment to determine if you meet the other essential and/or asset criteria (i.e. knowledge, abilities, competencies, etc.).

// Assessment //

■ Managers can use a combination of assessment methods they deem relevant. Some common assessment methods are written exams, interviews, and reference checks. However, managers have the flexibility to use role-play, simulations, and performance / talent management considerations as part of their assessment.

■ When candidates are invited to the assessment stage, they will be notified of the qualifications being assessed and the assessment method (interview, written take home test, etc.). To help you prepare for assessment, you should think about examples that will best highlight how you meet the qualifications being assessed. During the assessment, use the “STAR” method to best explain your example. STAR stands for the following:

▪ Situation: Think of a situation in which you are/were involved.
▪ Task: Describe the tasks involved in the situation.
▪ Action: Specify what actions you took to achieve your results.
▪ Results: What results followed due to your actions? List them and describe each one briefly.

■ Each board will have specific criteria to assess and each pull from the inventory may be treated separately, therefore if you are referred for more than one opportunity you may be re-assessed on the same criteria.

■ Based on the hiring division’s needs, additional essential qualifications, asset qualifications, organizational needs, operational requirements and/or conditions of employment may be identified and applied during the assessment and/or selection of candidates.

■ In assessing candidates, assessment boards may use a variety of tools and methods including, but not limited to, reviews of past performance and accomplishments, written tests, interviews, simulations, PSC tests, reference checks, board member knowledge etc. In addition, all information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the candidates.

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

■ Depending on the number of applicants, needs and/or plans, volume management strategies such as, but not limited to, top-down approach, cut-off scores, asset selection, random selection and/or assessment may be used for the purpose of managing applications/candidates and/or determining which candidates will continue in the staffing process. Should a volume management strategy be used, communication regarding the application of the strategy will be provided to those candidates who are impacted.

■ 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.

■ Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
- Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience.
- Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications.
- The organizational need of restructuring/budgetary constraints

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

■ Proof of education will be required. 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.
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// Important Notes //

▪ Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent.

▪ Candidates will be contacted by email and it is imperative that you provide a current email address that accepts e-mail 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.

▪ Candidates are strongly encouraged to check their email on a regular basis. It is your entire responsibility to inform us at all times of any changes regarding your contact information.

▪ All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the candidates.

▪ Proof of citizenship will be requested if you are considered for a position.

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.