Forensic Technologist

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

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.

Persons who cannot apply online or persons with disabilities preventing them from applying online are asked to inform the contact persons responsible for this process prior to the closing date. 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.

HOW TO APPLY:
You will be required to answer screening questions to demonstrate how you meet the Essential Qualifications (Education and all Essential Experiences). When answering the screening questions, it is not sufficient to say that you have the required qualifications or to list your current or past responsibilities. Rather, you must provide concrete examples of tasks you have accomplished with significant details to explain the WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and HOW you acquired each qualification.

For each experience criteria, please provide the following information:

1- Name of the department or organization where the experience was acquired;
2- Title of the position occupied, group and level and the period(s) in which you performed the functions (M-Y to M-Y)
3- Specific details of tasks or projects demonstrating how the experience was acquired

Should your responses to the screening questions contain insufficient details to demonstrate that you meet the screening criteria, your application will not be given further consideration in this process. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information.

Duties

Conducts forensic examinations and analysis of evidential materials using validated methods and procedures, maintains established casework performance standards, assesses results, interprets experimental controls and standards, documents findings, updates databases, performs technical and administrative reviews of casework, writes forensic laboratory reports as required and provides expert testimony in court.

Applies quality control processes and maintains chain of evidence in accordance with established laboratory accreditation standards and FS&IS policies, methods and standard operating procedures.

Performs basic maintenance, verifies calibration and operates relevant scientific instruments and equipment, and advises supervisors on malfunctions and the need for repairs or replacement.

Contributes laboratory bench experience and knowledge as a project team member to the development of new or revised methodologies, and reviews assigned sections of associated manuals and guides.

Maintains data and its integrity through consistent and accurate record keeping.

Prepares reagents, ensures accuracy in the preparation and standardization of solutions, and monitors expiry dates of reagents.

Work environment

Work is normally conducted in a laboratory environment where there is exposure to a variety of occupational hazards (biological, chemical, physical), some of which are not readily identifiable and as such an awareness of these risks must be maintained and appropriate safety procedures observed. As part of the criminal investigation process, there is lack of control over the pace of work and there is no tolerance for error.
The work involves exposure to disagreeable or unpleasant crime scene environments, unpleasant materials such as graphic descriptions of major case investigations and crime scene photos, and evidentiary material from crime scenes.

Work Location: 1200 Vanier Parkway, Ottawa ON

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to create an anticipatory pool for future vacancies, with various linguistic profiles and an RCMP Enhanced Reliability security clearance.

A pool of candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions within the RCMP in the National Capital Region on an indeterminate or specified period (including term, acting, or assignment) basis, with various linguistic profiles and various RCMP security clearances.


Should a Civilian Member (CM) be found qualified and selected for appointment, the appointment will not result in a change of status to the Public Service (PS) category for the CM.

NOTE: These positions will be located at 1200 Vanier Parkway, Ottawa, ON. You must be willing to relocate.

(SEE OTHER INFORMATION)

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Education:

Evidence Recovery Unit – Stream 1
A diploma in biological sciences from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Successful completion of courses such as biochemistry, biology, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, or other subjects which provide a basic understanding of the foundation of forensic DNA analysis.

* Transcript will be assessed to clarify the courses taken during the degree/diploma.

Analytical Unit – Stream 2
Graduation with a degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry or applicable forensic science-related area from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Successful completion of graduate or undergraduate course work covering the following subject areas: biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology; and course work and/or training in statistics and/or population genetics as it applies to forensic DNA analysis.

* Transcript will be assessed to clarify the courses taken during the degree/diploma.

Degree equivalency

Knowledge:
Knowledge of general analytical techniques and/or laboratory techniques including processing of DNA
Knowledge of Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Knowledge of safety practices in a laboratory

Abilities/Skills:
Ability to communicate effectively orally.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to trouble shoot and problem solve.
Ability to work as part of a team.
Ability to work under pressure

Personal Suitability:
Flexibility
Dependability
Effective interpersonal relationships
Attention to detail

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

Experience:
Experience working within a scientific laboratory setting.
Experience working within an accredited or forensic laboratory setting.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
(may change during the candidate’s term in section)
• Willingness and ability to work shifts
• Willingness and ability to work overtime
• Willingness and ability to travel for work related assignments.
• Willingness and ability to complete the mandatory in-house training program. This position is comprised of a mandatory in-house training program. As part of the Operational requirements, the appointed candidate must successfully complete the applicable mandatory in-house training program as dictated in the applicable policy approved Learning Guide and/or Training Plan.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - All applicants for positions within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will be subject to a thorough security clearance process which includes an interview wherein questions may include (but not limited to), reference checks, previous employment, on-line activities, credit checks, alcohol and/or drug use.

(Cannot change during the candidate’s term in section)
• RCMP Enhanced Reliability Status security clearance
• Medical Clearance
• Work with chemicals and hazardous materials
• Work with and be exposed to biological samples
• Wear appropriate protective clothing and/or equipment
• Maintain standing and/or sitting positions for extended periods of time
• Move and/or lift items (up to 20kg)
• Adhere to laboratory safety standards and procedures
• Work in cold rooms for limited periods in order to retrieve samples.
• Must be willing and able to testify in a court of law anywhere in Canada
• Work with and be exposed to material from crime scenes
• Must possess valid driver’s license
NOTE: Candidates must meet the applicable Conditions of Employments at the time of appointment and must continue to meet these during the period of appointment.

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 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.

A written exam may be administered. An interview may be administered.
Reference checks may be sought.
A simulation/situational exercise or role play may be administered.

Candidates must meet all essential qualifications to be appointed to a position. This will be determined through the use of various evaluation tools.

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

You must provide proof of education credentials. If you obtained your degree outside Canada, it is your responsibility to demonstrate its equivalence, please take a look at the following link for more information: https://www.cicic.ca

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.

Indeterminate employees at the same group and level, or equivalent may be considered for deployment, assignment/secondment prior to the assessment of other applicants.

Please identify clearly your substantive group and level and your employment status on your resume and/or application form.

If a qualified candidate has been selected and appointed on an indeterminate basis from the established pool, they will be removed from the pool. If a candidate is selected for a specified period (including term, acting, or assignment/secondment) appointment, they will remain in the pool for future offers.

Our means of communication with applicants is via e-mail. Please ensure to include a functional e-mail address, which will accept messages from unknown users (some e-mail systems block these types of e-mails). It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required.

The Public Service of 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.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

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.