Science Program/Policy Advisor II

Important messages

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Assessment accommodation

Duties

As part of a multidisciplinary team of scientists focusing on the Maritime Lobster Fishery, the successful candidate will support the lead social scientist with several research activities. The successful candidate will review and write summaries of gray and academic literature, will coordinate the scheduling of key informant interviews with project participants, prepare field research equipment, assist in the collection, transcription and analysis of social science data, monitor factors that influence the Maritime Lobster fishery and maintain an up to date file of resources and bibliographies as they relate to research.

Project Background:
The American lobster (Homarus americanus) fishery is currently the most lucrative in North America. Although it has been an active fishery for over 150 years, within the last 30 years total landings in many areas have doubled. Accompanying this change, the social and economic reliance on this fishery has increased in many coastal communities (Barnett 2018; Greenan et al. 2019). It is hypothesized that a combination of environmental, ecosystem and anthropogenic drivers have likely caused the recent increase in lobster landings.

Historically, the human dimensions have not been systematically examined and accounted for in fisheries assessments and management. As a result, a broad spectrum of social, cultural, economic and institutional aspects have not been adequately embraced to achieve a social-ecological system approach (Stephenson et al. 2018). Recent changes to the Fisheries Act (R.S.C., 1985, c.F-14) place new emphasis on social, cultural and economic factors in decision-making and management of fisheries.

Gathering and synthesizing the information on the sequence and timing of anthropogenic changes to the lobster fishery (including individual fishermen’s behaviour, policy changes and management controls) will help to standardize the landings time series. Data that is collected will provide specific details on the frequency and timing of changes in fishing behaviours and accompanying social, cultural, economic and institutional drivers. The data will be developed into a framework with objectives to collect and integrate ecological, socio-cultural economic, and institutional data into the assessment and management of the Maritime lobster fishery. This information will also be used to develop measures of anthropogenic activity (effective effort) with which to standardize the landings time series.

Work environment

DFO Maritimes Science Sector is comprised of staff that conducts research, modelling, and monitoring to enhance our understanding of aquatic ecosystems and provides advice to support the management of all the Canadian fisheries and other aquatic activities of our Maritimes region. The Maritimes Science Program has 5 priority areas: populations and ecosystem assessments; safe navigation and emergency response; mitigation of ecosystem stressors; adaptation to a changing environment; and marine spatial planning. Maritimes Science Branch consists of over 400 staff working from multiple locations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. This position is located at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO).
BIO is a modern oceanographic research facility, established in 1962 by the Federal Government of Canada and is located on the shores of the Bedford Basin in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Over the last 50 years it has grown to become Canada's largest centre for ocean research. The Institute performs targeted research, mandated by the Canadian government, to provide peer-reviewed advice and support to government decision making on a broad range of ocean issues, including sovereignty, safety and security, environmental protection, the health of the oceans, safe and accessible waterways, the sustainable use of natural resources (fisheries, minerals, oil & gas) and the integrated management large ocean management areas.

Intent of the process

In this process, we are seeking a qualified person to fill an 18 month temporary PC position at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, NS. A pool of qualified candidates may be used to staff other similar positions within DFO Maritimes Region.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Graduation with an acceptable Bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution or employer approved alternatives in a field of social sciences with acceptable specialization in in studies related to the position.

Degree equivalency

E1. Experience conducting research on studies related to the environment (ex. coastal, marine, natural resources).

E2. Experience engaging with professionals from government departments, Indigenous peoples, professional associations, workers' unions, community groups, academic institutions, private for-profit and/or non-profit organizations

E3. Experience in authoring or coauthoring papers and reports

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge
 K1. Knowledge of conducting social science field research and undertaking analysis
 K2. Knowledge of tri-council of ethical conduct for research involving humans

Abilities
 A1. Ability to communicate effectively orally to technical and non-technical audiences.
 A2. Ability to communicate effectively in writing to technical and non-technical audiences.
 A3. Ability to analyze and interpret data.
 A4. Ability to plan, organize and establish priorities.
 A5. Ability to solve problems.

Personal Suitability
 PS1. Ability to work effectively with other (collaborative)
 PS2. Effective interpersonal skills.
 PS3. Dependability
 PS4. Demonstrating integrity and respect

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

Graduation with an acceptable Master’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution or employer approved alternatives in a field of social sciences with acceptable specialization in studies related to the position.

Degree equivalency

AE1. Experience with qualitative and quantitative data analysis computer software programming (ex. Nvivo).

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

Information on employment equity

Membership in one of the designated Employment Equity groups: Persons with Disabilities; Visible Minorities; Aboriginals; or Women.

Operational Requirements:
Willingness to travel for extended periods of time.
Willingness and ability to work flexible hours and overtime (i.e., weekends, holidays, shift work, and overtime when required)

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid 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

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ASSESSMENT
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Candidates must meet all of the essential qualifications prior to being appointed to a position.

You will be asked to provide proof (original documentation will be required) of your education credentials. If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. For more information please click on “Degree Equivalency” in the Education section above.

Please note that achieving the pass mark on any of the assessments used does not necessarily mean you will move forward in the selection process. Management may decide to use a score that is higher than the pass mark on any of the evaluations used throughout the selection process. Management may also decide to use top-down or random selection at any stage of the process, or to invoke an asset(s) at any point of the process.

DFO recognizes and values the important contribution volunteer work offers in developing employees' experience, skills, etc., as well as enriching our organization and communities. Throughout this selection process, you are encouraged to demonstrate how any relevant volunteer work (e.g., working on committees, union activities, employee networks, community work, etc.) has contributed to the development of your experience, skills, personal suitability, etc., as they relate to this position.

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COMMUNICATION
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Communication for this process will be sent to your GC Jobs account and to your e-mail. You must check your e-mail account frequently as there may be a deadline for responses. It is your responsibility to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Please ensure your e-mail address accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). Please note that we will consider that you are not interested in participating in this selection process should you not respond to our communication.

When communicating with us during any stage of this process, please indicate the selection process number (21-DFO-MAR-EOS-EA-311557) in the subject field of your email.

Please note that your overall conduct and communications, including email correspondence, throughout the entire process may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

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OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
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Persons are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

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SELF-DECLARING, BECAUSE YOU COUNT
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By completing the Employment Equity section in your application, you help create a Public Service that is diverse, inclusive and representative of identities, cultures, perspectives and experiences that make up Canada.

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ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
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In order to achieve a representative workforce, selection may be based on qualified candidates self-declaring (at time of application) as being a member of visible minority group or an aboriginal person or a person with a disability or a woman.

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.