MCTS Ab Initio Trainee

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.

Employment Equity contributes to a strong and sustainable Public Service by ensuring that the workforce reflects the rich diversity of Canada's population. At the Canadian Coast Guard, we see the value that a representative workforce brings to our organization. We celebrate the richness of the people that contribute to this organization’s workforce. A workforce where the diversity of thought, culture, ethnicity, age, gender orientation and experiences are considered as invaluable assets. Together, we can meet new challenges, fuel innovation through diversity, help create prosperity and make a positive impact in the workplace and the people we serve. Therefore, when a vacancy becomes available, we are making a commitment to first consider candidates who self-identify in one of the four Employment Equity Groups.

For additional information and insight into the duties of an MCTS Officer, please visit the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNqU6oy3za8

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

Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Officers with the Canadian Coast Guard provide one of the first responses to ships and vessels in distress. They oversee the safety of Canada’s waterways by listening for distress and safety calls, monitoring marine traffic to prevent accidents, making sure that vessels comply with Canadian laws, and by broadcasting maritime safety information, such as weather and navigational warnings.

The job is challenging, fast-paced and always interesting, but can be stressful and demanding. You speak with vessel captains and crews in all kinds of situations, and are often the first contact in a marine emergency or crisis. During a marine emergency, you act as a go-between for Search and Rescue and the vessel in danger, and are often the voice those in danger look to for advice and comfort. You need to be able to multi-task and manage many issues at once.

It’s a 24/7 world and we provide service to the marine environment 365 days of the year. With the exception of the Arctic, shipping never stops and neither do we. Consequently, you must be willing to accept shift work and work weekends and holidays.

Work environment

MCTS Officer Training involves the following two phases:

Phase I: The MCTS Ab Initio 23 week training course takes place at the Canadian Coast Guard College located in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The course consists of theory, practical applications and simulations. Here you will learn the basics.

Phase II: On- the-Job training (OJT) takes place at a regionally appointed MCTS centre. Working with an On-the-Job-Instructor, you will learn local geography, local and regional procedures while applying the national elements of Phase I training. The OJT varies according to MCTS centre and can last from 3-12 months.

After successful completion of Phase II candidates are promoted to Marine Communications and Traffic Services Officer. You will be required to successfully complete each phase of training before continuing to the next Phase and becoming a MCTS Officer.

Travel is necessary to complete the two Phases of training. To complete Phase I, travel is required to attend the Canadian Coast Guard College located in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Travel to the regional MCTS centre for Phase II may be required depending on residency at time of hiring. Travel expenses incurred during the two phases of training shall be covered.

During Phase I, you are paid an Ab Initio allowance of $350 per week less appropriate deductions. Also, $90 per week is deducted for meals and accommodations, while at the Canadian Coast Guard College.

For the On-the-Job Phase II training, you are appointed to the RO-01 group and level at a salary of $45,590 per annum.

After successful completion of the Centre Designated Checkout of Phase II, you are appointed to the RO-03 MCTS Officer group and level with a salary beginning at $58,392 and up to $76,088 per annum.

Intent of the process

A partially assessed pool of candidates will be created to fill vacancies at the MCTS Centre in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

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)

A secondary school diploma or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Competency in skills associated with MCTS Officer duties (i.e. Arithmetic, Checking, Coding, Memory, and Spatial Ability). Note: this will be assessed using the MCTS Aptitude Test.

Ability to keyboard (30 wpm with 95% accuracy).
Ability to communicate orally
Ability to communicate in writing.

Working with others
Client Service Orientation
Managing difficult situations
Adaptability
Judgement and decision making
Initiative

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

Experience in a marine environment (e.g. member of a Ship's crew, Navigation officer, Commercial fisheries, Sea cadets etc.)

Organizational Needs
Canadian Coast Guard recognizes that the diversity of its employee population contributes to its strength and integrity. 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:
Relocate based on operational requirements.
Work overtime upon successful completion of all Phases of MCTS Officer training.

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

Health Canada pre-placement evaluation*.
Work related travel.
Work shift work.
Work weekends.

*Health Canada pre-placement evaluations include hearing, vision and colour vision tests.

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

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.

Candidates will be assessed against essential qualifications and may be required to meet asset qualifications and/or organisational needs, depending on the specific needs of the position. Candidates must meet the pass mark for each of the essential qualifications. Candidates must meet each asset qualification to be used for appointment.

All assessments related to this selection process will be administered in Prince Rupert, BC. Please note candidates are responsible for covering their own travel costs associated with the assessments.

Successful completion of the Marine Communications and Traffic Services Aptitude Test is required. Those candidates who have previously successfully completed the MCTS Aptitude Test are not required to rewrite, but will be required to submit the successful results.

Candidates invited to an interview will be required to bring proof of their education credentials, in the form of a diploma or official transcript (original documents only).

Applicants are encouraged to work on their keyboarding skills before the assessment date as a higher proficiency in keyboarding may be used to determine right fit.

Top-down ranking may be applied during the selection process.

Candidates will be communicated with via e-mail. In your application, please include the e-mail address that you wish to use for communication purposes throughout this recruitment initiative. It is your responsibility to verify your e-mail account on a regular basis.

Your résumé must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

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.