Technologist – Scientific Support (Inventory)

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.

*We anticipate to do a first extraction of candidacies for evaluation on April 29, 2022. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application prior to this date in order to be considered in the first round of evaluations.*

ONLY APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED ON-LINE USING THE 'APPLY ON-LINE' BUTTON ABOVE WILL BE CONSIDERED since some of the essential and asset qualifications will be assessed through your application. Please ensure to plan 1-2 hours (if your resume is already written) to answer the questions that are included in the online application process.

If you answer all the questions for which you meet the requirements, you will significantly increase your chances in having an opportunity. Failure to answer the questions will result in your application being rejected.

**Please note that your answers to the questions included in the online application process as well as your résumé will be used to assess your ability to communicate effectively in writing.**

Duties

• Maintain biological cultures including microorganisms, algae, invertebrates and other required test organisms in preparation for laboratory investigation and experimentation;
• Process environmental samples, including but not limited to filtration, freeze-drying, extraction, preservation, storing and measurement;
• Assist with laboratory experimental and maintenance activities as per established protocols;
• Participate in field-based research activities that can last several weeks, and at times may be boat or ship-based or in remote locations that may require a field camp base;
• Collect water, soil, sediment, algal and invertebrate samples from streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs as a member of a field team;
• Record concise and accurate field and laboratory measurements;
• Enter laboratory and field records into databases and spreadsheets; verify data quality obtained in the laboratory and field using prescribed analytical quality control and quality assurance protocols

Work environment

At Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), we work in a dynamic environment leading a wide range of priority environmental issues affecting Canadians. Our mandate is broad, including everything from managing pollution and waste, assessing climate change impacts, protecting nature, undertaking world-leading innovative scientific research, enforcing environmental laws and regulations, and producing and distributing timely and accurate weather forecasts to keep Canadians safe.
The Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division (WHERD) is a division of the Water Science & Technology Directorate. WHERD conducts research pertaining to freshwater hydrology and the impacts of human activities on the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems. Our key research focuses on aquatic systems, including nutrients and toxic/nuisance algae, water quality modelling and prediction, cumulative impact assessment of stressors, impacts of land use management, and climate change. Our innovative research informs the development of effective programs, policies and regulations to manage Canada's aquatic ecosystems, including surface fresh-water bodies, groundwater, sediments and urban areas.
This research requires dedicated teams that develop and implement new ideas, improve existing technologies, and strive to provide the best scientific information. These efforts rely on a committed group of staff that provide technical expertise in the field and the laboratory.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to staff one (1) indeterminate position in Burlington, Ontario. In support of building a skilled and diverse workforce reflective of Canadians that we serve as well as striving to achieve representation at Environment Climate Change Canada, selection may be limited to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Women, Indigenous peoples, Persons with a Disability, and Visible Minorities.

A pool of qualified candidates may be created to staff similar positions with various tenures (indeterminate, specified period, deployment, assignment, secondment, acting), language requirements and/or security requirements (reliability status or secret clearance) within Environment and Climate Change Canada across Canada.

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:

- A degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution (e.g. college or technical institute or university) in a field of the natural sciences related to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:

- Experience in laboratory sample preparatory techniques (collection, preparation, measurement or maintenance) of chemical or biological samples in a research environment.

- Experience in providing technical support in a field research environment.

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

ASSET EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:

- Experience in the operation of water quality sondes or multiparameter samplers or loggers.

- Experience with the operation of scientific laboratory instrumentation.

- Experience working with algal or benthic cultures.

- Experience in the collection and processing of biological samples related to algal or benthic studies.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:

- Knowledge of basic aquatic science.

- Knowledge of safe working practices in laboratory and field settings.

- Knowledge of laboratory and field methodologies and practices related to research in aquatic science.

- Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint as related to entering and summarizing data.

ABILITIES:

- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.

- Ability to use scientific instruments and tools.

- Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately.

- Ability to work in the field supporting both land-based and ship-based programs

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:

- Effective Interpersonal Skills

- Teamwork Skills

- Reliability

- Dependability

- Attention to detail

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

Environment and Climate Change Canada is committed to having a skilled and diversified workforce representative of the population we serve. In support of our Engagement Strategy to achieve employment equity goals, selection may be limited to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, Persons with a Disability, Visible Minorities and Women.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

- Willing to travel for several weeks at a time on work-related travel.

- Willing to travel by non-traditional mode of transportation for fieldwork (e.g. helicopter, small planes, boats, etc.)

- Willing to work irregular hours if required

- Willing to work in the laboratory and field under less than ideal conditions (e.g. ship-based lab, inclement weather)

- Willing to work overtime on short-notice

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Valid driver’s license – Ontario "G" class or equivalent
• Periodic medical 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. 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.

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

Written test(s) may be administered.

Interview(s) may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

Asset qualifications may be used in the screening or selection process. Therefore candidates must clearly demonstrate in their application how they meet the asset criteria for experience.

A pass mark will be established for each qualification. However, achieving the pass mark is not guarantee of an appointment or that candidates will be put through the next stages of the assessment process. A cut-off score and a top-down approach may be used at any step if there is a sufficient number of candidates to meet immediate and anticipated staffing needs.

Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/.

You must provide proof of your education credentials when requested.

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

Candidates are expected to make a reasonable effort to make themselves available for assessments as scheduled. Rescheduling will only permitted for accommodation measures or for other exceptional/extenuating circumstances, to be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Our intention is to communicate with candidates via email. Candidates who apply on this selection process must include in their application a valid e-mail address and make sure that this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). It is the candidate's responsibility to provide any changes to their personal information to the contact indicated on this job advertisement. Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent.

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 (e.g. to address disabilities) 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.