SECTION HEAD – OCEAN SCIENCES

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

No cover letter is required. However, a Curriculum Vitae (CV) must be attached to the application.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is committed to having a skilled and diversified workforce representative of the population it serves. In support of our strategy to achieve our employment equity goals, preference may be given to qualified candidates who, at the time of application, indicate that they are belonging to the following Employment Equity groups (self-declaration): Indigenous People, racialized communities or persons with disabilities. Therefore, we encourage candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a member of one of these groups.

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.

Duties

Under the general direction of the Manager, Ocean Sciences Division (OSD), the Section Head is responsible for the overall planning, direction, and management of the State of the Ocean Section with program responsibility at the Regional level. The Section Head organizes, administers and is accountable for all activities of the Section. They coordinate the work of the Section with collaborators throughout DFO, industry, provincial departments, universities, Indigenous partners and other federal departments to maximize benefits and ensure that programs are in keeping with Departmental policies and priorities. They represent the Division in zonal, national, and international activities. They propose, plan, evaluate, and supervise research projects, and perform other related duties.

Work environment

The State of the Oceans Section in the Ocean Sciences Division at the DFO Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS) in Sidney, BC is responsible for the delivery of ocean monitoring activities in the northeast Pacific and Western Arctic Oceans. The program collects, processes and disseminates ocean observation data to various users within and outside of DFO to inform decision making in a multitude of disciplines and processes.

Intent of the process

There is an immediate need to staff the Section Head position for the State of the Oceans (SOTO) Section. A pool of qualified persons resulting from this process may also be used to fill similar positions of various tenures in the Pacific Region.

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, with acceptable specialization in physics, geology, chemistry or some other science relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

In order for you to be screened for further consideration, you must respond “yes” to all of the experience requirements and your application must also clearly explain how you meet each component.

Experience
• *Significant experience in managing a work unit – organizing and directing the delivery of program and project work, supervising, training and evaluating the performance of subordinate scientific and technical and interacting with Division/Regional administrative and corporate staff; participating in and contributing to the management of the broader organization and managing and being accountable for the financial and material resources allocated to a work unit.
• *Recent experience in planning and coordinating activities within scientific, technical, or operational field or at-sea programs.
• Experience in providing scientific and technical information and advice to senior management of an organization, peers and stakeholders.
• Experience in the collection, analysis or modelling of oceanographic or environmental data.
• Experience in writing and reviewing technical reports, briefings, or publications.

*”Significant” is defined as two years of continuous or cumulative experience in the activity or activities.

**”Recent” is defined as experience preferably acquired within the last five (5) years.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge
• General knowledge of human resource, financial and materials management responsibilities and practices within the Federal Government and knowledge of the operational delivery of these responsibilities.
• Knowledge of DFO policies on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and other workplace legislation and regulations such as the Canada Labour Code. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/L-2/index.html
• General knowledge of science related to the marine environment and DFO’s State of the Ocean Reporting.
• Knowledge of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ mandate and priority issues in ecosystem and ocean science

KEY LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
• Create Vision and Strategy
• Mobilize People
• Uphold Integrity and Respect
• Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders
• Promote Innovation and Guide Change
• Achieve Results

For more information about these competencies, please visit the following link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/professional-development/key-leadership-competency-profile/model-definitions.html

Abilities
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems.

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

Education
Graduation with a post-graduate degree in science from a recognized university, with specialization in physics, oceanography, or related field.

Formal courses, workshops, seminars etc. from organizations such as the Canada School of Public Service, universities, colleges or other learning institutions in:
• Leadership
• Supervisor/manager orientation/training
• Financial management
• Change management
• Conflict resolution
• Staffing
• Classification

Experience
• Experience working in a highly operational at-sea science program which may include participating in at-sea and offshore research trips.
• Experience with DFO’s staffing and performance management procedures.
• Experience in developing, writing and managing contracts.
• Experience managing and protecting scientific data, databases and applications.
• Experience in working collaboratively with, and building partnerships with internal organizations, or other government departments, or external organizations such as industry, Indigenous groups and academia.
• Recent* and significant** experience assessing, synthesizing or analyzing science-based information from a variety of sources.

**”Significant” is defined as two years of continuous or cumulative experience in the activity or activities.

*”Recent” is defined as experience preferably acquired within the last five (5) years.

Degree equivalency

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Willingness and ability to travel (including overnight stays) domestically and internationally;
Willingness and ability to participate in field, at sea or laboratory studies which may require periods of greater physical effort.
A Health Canada medical clearance will be required for participation in field and/or at-sea work.

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

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.