Head, Microbiological Assessment Section

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

Health Canada is committed to increasing representation of Black employees and other racialized groups, Indigenous People, women and persons with disabilities. Health Canada would like its workforce to be reflective of the population it serves. Therefore, we encourage candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a member of one of these groups.

Give yourself the best chance to succeed! As the objective of this process is to assess qualifications needed for the position(s) to be staffed, let us know if you have a functional limitation/ disability, which may affect your performance. For example, contact us if you need assistance in completing and submitting your application. Should you then proceed to the next assessment stage, such as an exam or interview, we will send you an e-mail with additional information on the assessment format so that you can determine if you may require an accommodation (such as a different test format, an adaptive technology, or additional time). Assessment accommodations are designed to remove the obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so candidates with functional limitations can fully demonstrate their abilities.

You may also review jobs open to the public through INFOTEL at 1-800-645-5605. The INFOTEL number for persons using a TTY/TDD is 1-800-532-9397.

Health Canada welcomes applications from Veterans. We recognize your contribution to Canadians and would like to offer you the opportunity to continue your career in an environment where multi-talented employees with diverse skills are appreciated and supported.

WORK FROM WHERE YOU ARE
Please note it could be possible to telework.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency are dedicated to building an inclusive workforce that comprises individuals who have an array of identities, abilities, background, culture, skills, perspectives, and experiences that are representative of Canada’s current and evolving population. We are passionate about fostering a workplace where all people feel welcome, can reach their full potential, and contribute their unique perspectives and experience to the success of the team.

BRING YOUR WHOLE SELF TO WORK
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex (including gender identity and/or expression), national origin, sexual orientation, civil union or relationship status, disability, age, parental status, military service, or other status protected under federal law.

***VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: It is the responsibility of the candidate to clearly outline that they meet each of the screening criteria (i.e., Education and Experience Qualifications, both Essential and Assets) by RESPONDING TO THE SCREENING QUESTIONS IN THE ONLINE APPLICATION. Please note that it is not sufficient to only state that the requirement is met or to provide a listing of current responsibilities, rather, the candidate must provide concrete examples that illustrate how they meet the requirement. Lack of EXAMPLES and DETAILS may result in your application being rejected, as the Assessment Board will have insufficient information to determine whether or not you meet the qualifications.

Intent of the process

A pool of fully and/or partially qualified candidates may be established through this process to staff identical or similar positions, within Health Canada with various tenures (Term, indeterminate, secondment, assignment, deployment, acting).

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)

Education:
Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position, such as microbiology, virology, parasitology, molecular biology, biology, or epidemiology.

Note: The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
EX1. Significant* experience in coordinating or conducting research or risk assessment for microbiological pathogens
EX2. Significant* experience in the development or implementation of science-based policy decisions or regulatory or non-regulatory measures
EX3. Experience in providing written or oral briefings to senior management** on scientific or regulatory matters
EX4. Experience in consulting or liaising with internal*** and external**** stakeholders

*Significant experience refers to an acceptable combination of breadth, depth and complexity of tasks that is typically acquired over a period of two (2) years or more
**Senior manager level: senior level is considered to be at the EX-01 level or equivalent in the public sector and/or the equivalent of Vice President, Director, and Senior Director or C suite management level in the private sector.
Internal*** stakeholders include other groups of Health Canada, other government departments or agencies.
External**** stakeholders include representatives from non-governmental organizations or industry.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

Education:
AED1. Graduation with a Masters or Doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position, such as microbiology, biology, virology, parasitology, molecular biology, biology, or epidemiology.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
AE1. Experience conducting human health risk assessments
AE2. Experience in risk modelling or using statistical modelling software
AE3. Experience coordinating science-based policy or regulatory development
AE4. Experience providing expert guidance to colleagues and stakeholders
AE5. Experience in contracting or contract management.
AE6. Experience leading or representing a department or program on departmental or interdepartmental committees
AE7. Experience representing a department or program at international or stakeholder meetings or in technical workshops
AE8. Experience in scientific literature review and analysis
AE9. Experience in conducting written scientific peer review and providing feedback to peers

*Significant experience refers to an acceptable combination of breadth, depth and complexity of tasks that is typically acquired over a period of two (2) years or more

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

Bilingual - Imperative (CBC/CBC)
Test of Written Expression and Reading Comprehension are available in Unsupervised internet (UIT) test format by invitation only. The tests allow candidates to be assessed from home, and are available as a temporary measure in response to the COVID-19 situation. The result of each test is valid for 1 year and applies only to staff the position for which the test was taken. Therefore, it is not transferable from one position to another.

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
EK1. Knowledge of the theories and practices used in interpreting scientific literature and data
EK2. Knowledge of the principles of risk assessment relating to microorganisms in the environment or in consumer products
EK3. Knowledge of environmental pathogens of concern to human health
EK4. Knowledge of approaches to managing human health risks from microbiological contaminants in the environment

Abilities:
EA1. Ability to communicate scientific information to a non-scientific audience in writing
EA2. Ability to communicate scientific information to a non-scientific audience orally
EA3. Ability to review scientific documents and provide recommendations
EA4. Ability to work simultaneously on multiple assignments and meet changing priorities
EA5. Ability to manage the activities of a multi-disciplinary team
EA6. Ability to manage the delivery of programs
EA7. Ability to motivate staff and maintain a positive work environment under challenging conditions

Personal Suitabilities:
EPS1. Demonstrating integrity and respect, including respect for diversity
EPS2. Initiative
EPS3. Judgment
EPS4. Attention to detail
EPS5. Effective Interpersonal Relations

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

Asset Knowledge:
K1. Knowledge of Health Canada or Public Health Agency of Canada roles and responsibilities in Canada for drinking and recreational water.
K2. Knowledge of waterborne pathogens
K3. Knowledge of treatment processes and technologies to control waterborne pathogens

Operational Requirements:
Ability to occasionally work overtime on short notice
Ability to travel nationally or internationally

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

Please note that depending on the number of applicants and current and future needs and, we may apply asset criteria and/or a ranking order (top/down approach) to determine who will proceed at any stage of the of the process.

Various methods of assessment may be administered (written exam, interview, references, etc.).

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

Proof of citizenship or Permanent Residence will be required.

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.

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process is completed.

Proof of education will be required which includes diploma(s) and transcript(s). 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.

All candidates that apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid email address and ensure that this address is functional at all times and that it accepts messages from unknown users. Failure to do so may result in important messages not being received. Communication for this process will be conducted via the e-mail address provided in your application. It is your responsibility to ensure that you check for messages regularly.

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

An assignment/secondment or an acting appointment is a temporary resourcing option. The approval of your substantive supervisor may/will be required before an offer can be made.

If you are an employee of the Public Service, please include your Personal Record Identifier (PRI) in your application, clearly indicate your SUBSTANTIVE GROUP AND LEVEL and your EMPLOYMENT STATUS (indeterminate, determinate, casual, agency, contract, etc.). Note: If you are hired for a determinate period of time, please indicate the start and end date of your current employment. Proof of your employment tenure will be required, upon request.

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.