Senior Technician / Support

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

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

The Public Health Agency of Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) is in a period of growth and requires top talent to support a variety of scientific program areas, including those responding to COVID-19.

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. 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.

The application process is streamlined. You only need to upload your resume and complete a few screening questions for common essential and asset criteria. The remaining education and experience criteria only requires a yes/no response at this time. Your responses will allow us to better narrow our search for specific positions across the NML. At the same time, it allows you to apply for a wide-range of positions simultaneously and 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 progress.

Work environment

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. Our laboratories lead the development and application of cutting edge tools to support innovation in infectious disease diagnostics, lab-based surveillance and applied and basic research. We are seeking highly motivated individuals to provide scientific technical support in a variety of areas including microbiology, cell biology, immunology, molecular biology, microscopy, structural biology, genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics (depending on the needs of the position).

Intent of the process

This process is intended to create and maintain an inventory of candidates to fill a variety of positions across the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML).

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. Candidates may be contacted to express interest in the additional locations. Given that managers may choose to access your application 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. The first pull of applications may occur as early as October 15th, 2021.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In addition to your resume, you will need to complete a series of screening questions in which you must provide examples and details of how you meet each experience requirement, including when, where, and how you obtained the experience.

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

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION:
Graduation from a post-secondary institution with a degree or diploma in Microbiology, Virology, Parasitology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Genetics, Molecular biology, Bioinformatics, Biology or other related discipline; or

Current active registration with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) as a general Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) and current active provincial MLT registration in the province in which the position is located, or pending registration, while awaiting the Medical Laboratory Sciences National Exam results. Documentation of equivalent standing within the relevant jurisdiction will be considered; or

An acceptable combination of education, training and relevant work experience, with specialization in a biological science could be considered.

Degree equivalency

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE (Common to all positions):
EX 1: Experience in performing routine biological techniques or methods in one or more of the following biological disciplines; microbiology (virology, bacteriology, mycology, parasitology), cell biology, immunology, molecular biology, structural biology, genomics, proteomics, or bioinformatics (depending on the needs of the position).
EX 2: Experience in planning and performing laboratory diagnostic testing or research projects including collating, analysing and interpreting complex data and results.
EX 3: Experience in writing documents such as standard operating procedures, project status reports, or presenting data/experimental findings.

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

ASSET EXPERIENCE:
AE1: Experience with molecular biological procedures for the detection and or characterization of infectious agents isolated from human or animal specimens.
AE2: Experience with immunological procedures for the detection and or characterization of infectious agents isolated from human or animal specimens.
AE3: Experience performing next generation sequencing.
AE4: Experience in antibody development.
AE5: Experience in developing and validating new diagnostic assays or research methods.
AE6: Experience working with infectious disease pathogens in in high containment laboratory environments such as Biosafety Level 3 or Biosafety Level 4.
AE7: Experience in working under a laboratory-based quality management system under a formal accreditation framework such as ISO 17025 or CAP.
AE8: Experience in providing support for laboratory-related outbreak preparedness and response activities.
AE9: Experience in supervising and training personnel (employees, and/or students).

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

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE:
K1: Knowledge of the theories, current principles, techniques or procedures used in one or more of the following disciplines, dependent on the needs of the position being staffed; microbiology (virology, bacteriology, mycology, parasitology), cell biology, biochemistry or molecular biology.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES:
C1: Demonstrating integrity and respect
C2: Thinking things through
C3: Working effectively with others
C4: Showing initiative and being action-oriented
C5: Communication

ESSENTIAL ABILITIES:
A1: Ability to plan, organize and manage multiple simultaneous tasks.
A2: Ability to compile data and interpret results.

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

ASSET EDUCATION:
Graduation with a MSc or PhD from a recognized post secondary institution with a specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position(s).

Note: Candidates may be required to meet additional qualifications, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed. These additional qualifications may be deemed as either an Essential or Asset qualification. Candidates must indicate on their online applications which Education and Experience qualifications they meet using yes or no answers. Further assessments will be conducted on additional criteria such as Knowledge, Abilities, and Competencies, and only those candidates referred will be contacted. Your résumé may be used as a secondary source of information.

Information regarding education requirements.

Degree equivalency

ASSET ABILITIES:
AA1: Ability to troubleshoot laboratory procedures or techniques.
AA2: Ability to handle diagnostic specimens/samples in a way that is consistent with the degree of risk, maintains the required quality and integrity, maintains their unique identification and their links to relevant records/documentation.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Depending on the needs of the position one or more may be required:
• Must be available during core hours.
• Willingness and ability to occasionally work overtime.
• Willingness and ability to assist, mobilize, or deploy to fulfill operational requirements including outbreak and emergency laboratory responses.
• Willingness and ability to work with human and animal laboratory specimens.
• Willingness and ability to work with infectious agents and toxic chemicals.

Conditions of employment

Secret or Reliability security clearance (depending on the position)
Medical clearance (depending on the position)

Successful candidates must meet and maintain all terms and conditions of employment for the duration of their employment. The terms and conditions of employment and operational requirements may vary (other conditions or needs may be added or removed) according to the position being staffed.

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

// 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 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.