Search and Rescue Program Officer and Senior Search and Rescue Program Officer

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 strongly encourage members of the following employment equity groups to apply and self-declare: Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and woman.
In order to self-declare, please ensure to check off the appropriate box within the online application as part of the Employment Equity section in your job application.

Candidates must clearly demonstrate in the screening questions how they meet the education AND experience criteria listed in the essential AND asset qualifications (if applicable). You must provide concrete examples that clearly illustrate how you meet the requirement.

Résumés may be used as a secondary source to validate the qualifications described; comments such as "refer to my attached resume" will NOT be accepted and may result in your application being rejected. Failure to provide this information in the requested format may result in your application being rejected.

Duties

GT-04 – Search and Rescue Program Officer
Under the direction of a Deputy Superintendent Maritime Search and Rescue and/or a Canadian Coast Guard Senior Search and Rescue Program Officer, this position carries out emergency Search and Rescue response duties in the marine environment as part of the Canadian Coast Guard’s federal mandate. This includes search and rescue training, liaison, exercising and response activities in the field, maintaining equipment, vessels and vehicles and carrying out administrative duties in the headquarters area.

GT-05 – Senior Search and Rescue Program Officer
Under the direction of the Canadian Coast Guard Deputy Superintendent of Search and Rescue this position carries out emergency Search and Rescue training, liaison, exercising and support to response duties in the marine environment as part of the Canadian Coast Guard’s federal mandate. This primarily includes maintaining equipment, vessels and vehicles and carrying out administrative duties in the headquarters area including human resource and financial management. The GT-05 Senior Search and Rescue Program Officer may also be called upon to respond to SAR and emergency response activities when operating in the field. In addition the Senior Search and Rescue Program Officer provides supervision for Search and Rescue Program Officers (GT-04) in the field and completes reports and assessments for Canadian Coast Guard senior management.

Work environment

The Canadian Coast Guard, a Special Operating Agency within Fisheries and Oceans Canada, is entrusted to deliver valuable programs and services to Canadians that save lives, protect the environment and support our Canadian economy. Embracing a proactive culture for 24/7 service to and for Canadians, Canadian Coast Guard offers exciting sea-going and shore-based career opportunities in the delivery of critical maritime safety, security and response services; response to on-water and maritime incidents using a variety of vessels, hovercraft, helicopters, and small craft; and providing vital information and assistance to vessels, including navigation support, distress and safety communications. The Department received special recognition as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.

The Government of Canada exercises a whole-of-government approach to improve marine safety, to work with Indigenous groups, provinces, territories, and other stakeholders to better co-manage Canada’s oceans, while advancing the Government’s broader objectives of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, protection of the environment, protection of our coasts and waterways, and economic growth for the middle class. Canadian Coast Guard/Fisheries and Oceans Canada are dedicated to deliver on this significant initiative and other departmental commitments. We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated individuals to join our team in making an impact on the lives of Canadians.

Intent of the process

This is an anticipatory selection process.

A pool of qualified candidates will be created as a result of this process. This process may be used to staff similar positions of various tenures.

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)

Education
GT-04/GT-05
• A secondary school diploma or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience
GT-04
• Experience providing operational training, briefings or presentations;
• Experience preparing reports and technical documents using computer software such as but not limited to Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook;
• Experience liaising with external public and private partner organizations;
• Experience in marine emergency search and rescue response operations or training at an operational level.

GT-05
• Experience in marine emergency search and rescue response operations or training management at an operational level;
• Experience writing reports that require analysis, such as but not limited to operational documents and external correspondence;
• Experience supervising staff.

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

Education
GT-04/GT-05
- Post-secondary diploma related to the duties of the position

Degree equivalency

Occupational Certification
GT-04/GT-05
• A deck or engine room Marine Certificate of Competency issued under the CANADA SHIPPING ACT, 2001 Marine Personnel Regulations SOR/2007-115 for a Master Limited (60 Ton) or higher and /or a Fourth-Class Engineer, Motor Ship or higher. Certificates will be rated in order of precedence according to the regulations;
• Radio Operator’s Certificate (Maritime) or higher;
• Accredited qualifications as an instructor for training applicable to the position;
• Small Vessel Operator’s Certificate (SVOP);
• Rigid Hull Inflatable Operator Training (RHIOT);
• ICS Certification;
• Rescue Specialist Qualifications.

Experience
GT-04/GT-05
• Experience in emergency response contingency planning;
• Experience providing operational training;
• Experience in small craft operations;
• Experience with the Incident Command System;

GT-05
• Experience developing and directing exercises;
• Experience applying federal occupational health and safety risk assessment and mitigation measures;
• Experience managing a budget;
• Experience conducting operational reviews, research and investigations;
• Experience working with other government departments (municipal, provincial/territorial and federal), or private organisations and the general public;

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge
GT-04/GT-05
• Knowledge of the Incident Command System;
• Knowledge of roles and the responsibility of Canadian Coast Guard’s SAR partners in Canada, particularly maritime and Aeronautical Search and Rescue.
• Knowledge of basic seafaring practices and techniques.

GT-04
• Knowledge of marine search and rescue procedures.

GT-05
• Knowledge of national and international principles, techniques and practices involved in search and rescue activities (aeronautical/maritime).

Abilities
GT-04/GT-05
• Ability to analyze and solve problems;
• Ability to apply a regulatory framework such as operational standards and procedures;
• Ability to communicate effectively orally;
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Ability to perform physical work in the marine environment.

Personal Suitability
GT-04/GT-05
• Work under pressure;
• Effective Interpersonal Relationships;
• Initiative.
• Judgement

GT-05
• Leadership.

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

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

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

GT-04 - Reliability Status security clearance

GT-05 - Secret security clearance

GT-04/GT-05
• Health Canada Scientific medical certificate;
• Travel on various means of transport including ships, small vessels and aircraft to remote locations and abroad, knowing that such travel may be frequent and seasonal;
• Work overtime, be on call according to a schedule (day and night, seven days a week) and occasionally work weekends, in accordance with the pertinent collective agreement;
• Work in potentially hazardous and /or adverse conditions such as those found in the marine environment and in remote locations;
• Work in emergency situations;
• Travel for extended periods on short notice;
• Wear the Canadian Coast Guard uniform;
• Wear CSA approved personal safety equipment related to the job;

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

An exam or interview may be administered. Reference checks may be sought.

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

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

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.