Biological Safety Officer and Pilot Plant manager

Update: UPDATE: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to February 7, 2022 - 23:59, Pacific Time.

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

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers. We welcome all applicants and strongly encourage candidates to self-declare if they belong to an Employment Equity designated group (i.e. Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities or Women).

Duties

The position is responsible for developing, implementing, evaluation and administering the AAFC Guidelines and Programs on Containment, Biosafety, and Biosecurity (CBB) at a research centre with a Level 2 (CL-2) containment pilot plant. As the Local Biological Safety Officer, the position is required to make recommendations to the Research Manager and/or Science Director on the delivery of a biosafety program appropriate to this Centre.
As Pilot Plant Coordinator, this position coordinates and schedules daily activities of a containment Level 2 food processing facility (Pilot Plant) which is operated by departmental employees and by external clients. The position serves as a technical advisor for planning, organizing and coordinating research projects conducted in the pilot plant facility to maximize efficiencies.

Work environment

The Guelph RDC focuses on research and development in food safety and value added food attributes to help foster a profitable agri-food sector in Canada. A unique pilot-scale food research facility (Containment Level-II) and analytical facilities enable scientists to study pathogen survival rates during food processing and identify healthy food attributes. This work helps Canada continue to lead in food safety and promotes the availability of healthy foods.

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers. We believe our organization is most effective when it reflects the diversity of Canadian populations it serves and that achieving diversity in the workplace can start with a hiring process.

We strive to create an environment where Diversity and Inclusion are at the forefront. AAFC has five designated Diversity Networks, dedicated to ensuring that we continue to grow as an inclusive, respectful and diverse workplace. Regardless of whether you are a member of the diversity groups, all employees are welcomed to join the Networks and participate in their activities and events.

We are proud to be a workplace that embraces and values diverse perspectives, experiences and cultures. We value the unique talents and experiences of all employees. AAFC employees are given the opportunity to grow and reach their full potential within our organization through various programs and training.

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified and partially qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures as well as various linguistic requirements.

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)

EDUCATION
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
• Experience in working with pathogenic microorganisms.
• Experience in developing, implementing, evaluating, and administering SOPs and guidelines for microbial safety in a Containment Level 2 (CL2) research facilities.
• Experience in microbial identification.
• Experience in providing guidance and training to Supervisors and Employees regarding operational and design requirements necessary to achieve CL2 compliance.
• Experience in coordinating and scheduling daily activities of a containment Level 2 food processing facility (Pilot Plant).
• Experience conducting biosafety and biosecurity risk assessment.

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

EXPERIENCE
• Experience in interacting and communicating with senior management through oral and written communication.
• Experience in working in a food processing environment including pilot plant.
• Experience in providing science-based and sound recommendations on biosafety to the Associate Director, Research Development and Technology Transfer and / or Director, RDT
• Experience in planning, organizing and coordinating research projects conducted in the pilot plant or CL2 facility.
• Experience in interacting with government and industrial partners and regulatory agencies.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
• Knowledge of food processing, microbial counts, identification methods, microbial physiology and microbial ecology.
• Knowledge of appropriate disinfection protocols and methods for verification of effective sanitation procedures.
• Knowledge of Legislation and Regulations pertaining to the handling of human/animal pathogens and toxins.

COMPETENCIES
• Teamwork
• Interactive communication
• Initiative
• Adaptability
• Writing Skills

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

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada recognizes that the diversity of its employee population contributes to its strength and integrity. We are committed to achieving employment equity and developing a highly capable workforce that is representative of Canadian Society. We encourage women (especially in non-traditional occupations), Indigenous peoples (Aboriginal peoples), persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups to apply and declare themselves as part of one or more of the Employment Equity groups as selection may be limited to candidates belonging to one or more of the groups.

Information on employment equity

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Be able to travel 4-6 times a year across Canada.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

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.

Ability and willingness to work in CL2 lab and pilot plant sites.

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

ASSESSEMENT INFORMATION

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

Various assessment tools may be used, such as, standardized tests, interviews, references, board member knowledge, etc.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

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

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.

A test may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Asset qualifications may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

APPLICATION & CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs.html.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact the email referenced below under "Contact Information".

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.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

On October 6, 2021, the Government of Canada announced details of its plans to require vaccination across the federal public service. The details can be found on this site: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/news/2021/10/backgrounder-covid-19-vaccine-requirement-for-the-federal-workforce.html

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. The Policy can be found on this site: https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=32694

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.