Aquatic Science Biologist - Employment Equity

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

This process is open to individuals who self-declare as a visible minority, a person with a disability, or an Aboriginal person. Therefore, only those applicants who indicate in their application that they are members of the requisite Employment Equity (EE) group(s) will be considered.

In order to self-declare, please ensure to indicate this by checking off the appropriate box within the online application as part of the Employment Equity section.

The term “Aboriginal” is used within this job advertisement as it relates to the Employment Equity Act and other legislative frameworks. The term “Indigenous” is used, where feasible, in support of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

>> If you have already applied on process 21-DFO-NFLD-EA-EOS-313711, please do not re-apply. <<

Duties

The Newfoundland and Labrador region of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is seeking to recruit enthusiastic individuals to join its team of Aquatic Science Biologists working in areas including, but not necessarily limited to Aquatic Resources (Groundfish, Shellfish, Marine Mammals, Pelagics, Salmonids, Marine Finfish-Species at Risk) and Environmental Sciences (Oceanography, Ecological Sciences). While key activities will vary with position level (BI-02, BI-03) and from position to position, in general, an Aquatic Science Biologist may be expected to:

• Design, organize and undertake assigned scientific projects to create enhanced scientific knowledge, concepts and methodologies in aquatic science, and contribute to the preparation and review of scientific reports.
• Provide scientific information, advice and recommendations on issues respecting the conduct, methodologies, and the findings of scientific projects and investigations in support of healthy and productive ecosystems and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
• Participate in the development of new instrumentation, methods, technology and quality control/assurance procedures and protocols for the collection and analysis of scientific data.
• Serve as scientist-in-charge and/or participate in multidisciplinary at-sea, field or laboratory based studies
• Maintain custody and safekeeping of biological samples, sample archives, scientific equipment and instrumentation, and data and information.
• Write, review and publish scientific papers, reports and authoritative reviews in aquatic biology and ecology.
• Manage assigned human, financial and material resources. (BI-03 only)

Intent of the process

The intent of this selection process is to create a pool of qualified candidates to be used to staff these or similar positions within Fisheries and Oceans Canada in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region on an indeterminate, specified period (term), or acting basis.

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 a 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.

Degree equivalency

Experience in organizing and conducting scientific projects.

Experience in processing, analyzing, and interpreting scientific data.

Experience in the preparation of scientific reports or papers.

For BI-03 only: Experience in providing scientific information, advice, or recommendations

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Working effectively with others

Showing initiative and being action-oriented

Leadership (BI-03 only)

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

► ► ►The following asset qualifications will be assessed at a later date through an experience questionnaire. Additional assets may be requested in the future.◄◄◄

Graduation with a graduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Experience with data collection methods or scientific projects relating to aquatic environments or aquatic species.

Experience working at sea or on large bodies of water on medium or large vessels for extended periods of time and in a variety of sea states.

Experience operating small motorized boats.

Experience carrying out scientific surveys onboard vessels or aircraft (fixed wing or helicopter).

Experience with quantitative stock assessment on shellfish or finfish species.

Experience with the assessment of marine mammal populations.

Experience conducting ecosystem assessments or multidisciplinary studies relating to aquatic ecosystems.

Experience modeling biological or ecological data.

Experience with a Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) development process or with population simulations.

Experience with stomach content analysis or diet analysis.

Experience with taxonomic identification of planktonic, benthic (e.g. corals, sponges), or fish samples.

Experience conducting research on cold-water corals or sponges.

Experience in tagging aquatic animals, or the analyzing and interpretation of tagging data.

Experience with DNA/RNA extraction, quantification, PCR/qPCR, genomic library prep, or Next generation sequencing.

Experience with bioinformatics on large genomic datasets.

Experience with GIS software and spatial analytical techniques.

Experience in writing and modifying computer codes or scripts (e.g. R, SAS, C++, Python, TMB, BUGS, STAN).

Experience developing or manipulating large datasets using relational databases (e.g. Oracle, MS Access).

Experience supervising personnel in a work environment (e.g. technical staff, students) (BI-03 only).

Experience liaising, collaborating, or working cooperatively with clients, industry, stakeholders, or with Indigenous Governments or Organizations.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Willing and able to engage in frequent travel (for some positions).

Willing and able to work for extended periods in isolated field locations, sometimes under harsh conditions (for some positions).

Willing and able to go to sea (for some positions).

Willing and able to work nights, weekends, and variable hours as required by operational needs (for some positions).

Willing and able to carry out strenuous field activities (for some positions).

Willingness to become trained in appropriate safety or technical procedures commensurate with the position (eg., WHMIS, MED DVS, first aid, small boat safety, firearms, animal drugging, etc.) (for some positions).

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Possession of a valid driver’s license (for certain positions)

Medical fitness in accordance with certification by Health Canada (for certain positions)

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 asset qualifications will be assessed at a later date.

Additional assets may be requested in the future.

A top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, 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.