Ecosystems Management Biologist Team Lead\Section Head

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 first retrieval of applications will occur on Monday August 23, 2021. We encourage you to complete your application and submit it before this date to be part of the first group assessed. Future retrieval and assessment of applications will be done on an 'as needed' basis.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are working remotely for the time being. Interviews and related assessments will be conducted virtually throughout this staffing process. Applicants are responsible for having a reliable Internet connection and access. If you are appointed to a position, DFO will provide tools and/or equipment for your use while working remotely. As public health restrictions ease, the successful candidate may be expected to report to the office location of the position they are appointed to in British Columbia or the Yukon.

At Fisheries and Oceans Canada, we are proud to:
• Celebrate our diversity and our commitment to values and ethics – we recognize our employees for a variety of achievements, including Excellence in Values and Innovation;
• Provide a healthy, respectful and supportive work environment for all employees – many resources and initiatives are available such as the Working on Wellness program, which promotes work-life balance and access to LifeSpeak, which is an innovative health and wellness platform;
• Provide wide-ranging career opportunities, as we are the third largest Federal Public Service Department in British Columbia;
• Commit to continuous learning and employees’ career development;
• Be recognized as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People for the past four years.

Follow Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard on Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (links listed above) to see first-hand the passion and dedication of our employees.

Duties

DFO is the federal Department responsible for safeguarding and managing Canada's fisheries, oceans and freshwater resources. Pacific Region is home a multitude offices stretching across spectacular British Columbia and breath-taking Yukon. BI04s in DFO's Species at Risk Program, Salmon Enhancement Program, Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program, and Oceans’ Program help to conserve, protect and restore fisheries and aquatic ecosystems for all Canadians, and for future generations. Reporting to a Regional Manager, they have the following responsibilities:

• Provide supervision and management for a dedicated team of biologists and other staff, including remote teams.
• Ensure staff and program alignment with strategic work plans and priorities and that expected outcomes are achieved.
• Manage a program budget, including salary and operational resources
• Support and promote the Government of Canada commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples of Canada.
• Lead and coordinate engagement with partners and stakeholders to support and enhance good stewardship of fish and fish habitat, including aquatic Species at Risk. Collaborative initiatives include integrated aquatic ecosystems planning, recovery planning, marine spatial planning, habitat restoration, compliance monitoring, partnership agreements, and provision of grant and contribution funding, where appropriate.

Work environment

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) - Ecosystems Management Branch, Pacific Region is looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our community of talented and diverse employees. Our staff make a difference in the lives of Canadians by bringing a range of skills and experience to the work they do. We are seeking to recruit dedicated and dynamic leaders to join our Species at Risk Program, Salmon Enhancement Program, Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program, and Ocean’s Program as Team Leaders or Section Heads (BI-04) in Vancouver, Nanaimo, Kamloops, Whitehorse, and other areas within the Pacific Region as needed.

Individual programs are each looking for someone with specific qualifications. As part of your application, please let us know which program(s) you interested in joining:
- Species at Risk Program: Do you want to contribute to the recovery and conservation of aquatic species at risk like Killer Whales, Blue Whale, White Sturgeon, Longspine Thornyhead, Pacific Salmon, European Whitefish, and Hotwater Physa? If so, look no further! The Species at Risk Program is seeking a motivated leader who will support the program in dealing with cross-cutting issues as we work with Indigenous Peoples, Wildlife Management Boards, and others to implement the Species at Risk Act.
- Salmon Enhancement Program: Are you interested in conserving salmon and contributing to the recovery and rebuilding of sustainable salmon fisheries? The Salmon Enhancement Program is seeking service oriented leaders to support the program in the development and delivery of salmon enhancement, salmon stewardship, and habitat restoration activities as we work with Indigenous and community partners to sustain and rebuild Pacific Salmon populations and their habitats.
- Fish and Fish Habitat Program Plan: We work to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems. We do this by providing expert and evidence-based advice to support the regulation of development activities in and around water. We also undertake proactive planning in partnership with Indigenous groups, provincial and territorial governments, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to identify priorities, projects, and management actions to enable better outcomes for fish and fish habitat. Advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples underpins all our work, and serves to guide us in decision-making pertaining to fish and fish habitat. We value the work that our staff do, as it is through their hard work that fish and fish habitat is conserved and protected for the benefit and enjoyment of Canadians. Would you like to join us?
- Oceans’ Program: Looking to be part of a team at the cutting edge in the marine spatial planning processes or managing marine spaces in Canada? You are looking in the right place! The Oceans program is seeking enthusiastic individuals to lead the development and implementation of marine spatial plans in the Pacific Coast. Come and join us in our efforts to managing ocean spaces in a manner that helps to balance the increased demand for human activities with the need to protect marine ecosystems.

Intent of the process

This process may be used to staff similar positions in various locations of various tenures.

INFORMATION YOU MUST PROVIDE:
Your résumé.
Information in response to the questions in the online application.
Include information about where, when, and how you’ve demonstrated the qualification as well as details on the duration and the specific types of tasks you did to show us that you have what we’re looking for. This is important as we may employ volume management strategies, such as ranking or top-down approach, to select candidates for further consideration. Clarification will not be solicited so please be clear and thorough.

Depending on the position being staffed, any of the asset qualifications may also be deemed as an essential qualification and only candidates and persons with a priority entitlement who possess those qualifications will be considered for that specific vacancy. Please indicate if you possess any of the asset qualifications in your application.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

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 with specialization in a biological science; or
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.

Note:
1. 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: all positions

• Significant* experience working in conservation or management of aquatic species and ecosystems, in natural resource management or in environmental issues.
*Significant is defined as experience gained over a period of two years or longer.

• Significant* experience in preparing and delivering briefings and presentations which includes science-based advice and recommendations to management**
*Significant is defined as experience gained over a period of two years or longer.
**Management is defined as manager level or above within the public service or equivalent level within the private sector.

• Experience in developing or implementing policies and other products such as guidelines and regulations.

• Experience supporting, leading and supervising teams.

• Experience establishing relationships, consulting, engaging, or negotiating with at least two of the following partners: Indigenous communities, academic institutions, government departments/organizations; industry, non-governmental organizations or the general public.

• Experience facilitating challenging meetings and resolving conflict.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE: all positions
• Knowledge of program administration, budgeting and work planning.
• Knowledge of Government of Canada’s commitments to reconciliation.
• Knowledge of the policies, legislative and regulatory tools to manage species and their habitats in Canada.

We're looking for leaders who:
• Analyze scientific or technical information and make recommendations
• Effectively manage multiple priorities under tight timelines
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Clearly communicate complex ideas and concepts to a lay audience
• Pursue effective interpersonal relationships
• Demonstrate integrity and respect
• Demonstrate flexibility
• Show initiative and are action oriented
• Are Problem-solvers
• Make informed decisions
• Are Client-Service Orientated

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

All Programs:
Experience in delivering operational programs with multiple internal and external partners, often with conflicting priorities or mandates.

Species at Risk Program
• Experience implementing the Species at Risk Act (e.g., undertaking listing processes, developing recovery documents, identifying critical habitat)
• Knowledge of the Fisheries Act, Oceans Act, and other legislative and regulatory tools used to manage aquatic species and their habitat in Canada.
• Experience providing scientific or technical advice related to delivering a Grants and Contributions Program.
• Knowledge of the biology and ecology of aquatic species.
• Knowledge of management and conservation practices related to aquatic species, aquatic habitat, or aquatic ecosystems.
• Experience engaging and collaborating with Indigenous groups and/or co-management agencies.

Salmon Program (Salmonid Enhancement Program)
• Experience working with salmon management, enhancement, or habitat restoration.
• Experience developing fish habitat enhancement and restoration measures.
• Experience leading complex** projects or initiatives that contribute to the management of aquatic habitat or aquatic species.
**Complex is defined as two or more of the following characteristics: high profile (i.e. attracting public or media attention); involving multiple stakeholders; multi-jurisdictional/multi-disciplinary in nature; involving third-party interests; requiring multiple consultations; or having a significant impact
• Experience related to the development or implementation of policy, strategies or guidance documents to meet salmon-related program objectives
• Experience managing a budget
• Experience in the principles and practices of scientific disciplines, data management or interpretation of data.
• Experience working with Indigenous organizations or multiple stakeholders with competing interests in relation to salmon enhancement or habitat restoration
• Experience in infrastructure issues related to construction or maintenance activities supporting salmon enhancement, habitat restoration, fish passage or watershed enhancement.

Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program
• Experience developing fish habitat enhancement and restoration measures.
• Experience in regulatory reviews under the Fisheries Act or Species at Risk Act.
• Experience consulting with Indigenous nations on regulatory applications.
• Experience in delivering a grants and contributions funding program.
• Experience in leading or supporting collaborative planning processes with multiple stakeholders and with competing interests
• Experience undertaking workshops and seminars and reporting on outcomes of these events to stakeholders and attendees.

Oceans’ Program
• Experience in leading or participating in integrated environmental or natural resource planning processes involving diverse stakeholders and multiple management objectives.
• Experience in the design and delivery of spatial planning and/or conservation tools, strategies or plans in collaboration with First Nations, Indigenous Groups, stakeholders and other governments.
• Experience in managing grants and contributions programs
• Experience working with First Nations’ and multiple stakeholders with competing interests when collaborating on marine spatial planning and conservations initiatives.
• Experience with current environmental issues and pressures affecting marine coastal management in Pacific Region.

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

Information on employment equity

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Mobility associated with possession of a valid BC or Yukon Driver’s license
• Willingness and ability to work overtime on short notice.
• Willingness and ability to travel on occasion.
• Depending on the position, willingness and ability to carry out field work in remote locations
• Depending on the position, a Health Canada Employee Health Assessment may be required.

Conditions of employment

Amendment to the Conditions of Employment:
Reliability status or secret security clearance depending on the position

All employees of the core public administration are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status unless accommodated based on a medical contraindication, religion, or another prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

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

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.

All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to the conclusion of the process, may be used for evaluation purposes. Information provided may be considered in the assessment of any of the essential or asset qualifications, including the ability to communicate effectively in writing.

It is imperative that you provide a current email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). 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.

On October 6, 2021, the Government of Canada announced details of its plans to require vaccination across the federal public service. As per the new Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration Including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, federal public servants in the Core Public Administration and members of the RCMP must attest to their vaccination status. The requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated applies whether they are teleworking, working remotely or working on-site. This is a condition of employment and it applies to indeterminate (permanent), determinate (term), casual, and student hiring. Should you reach the point in the selection process where it is necessary to verify terms and conditions of employment then the hiring manager or a human resources representative will contact you in order to complete an attestation.

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.