Veterinary Clinician & Senior Veterinary Drug Evaluator

Important messages

Health Canada's Health Products and Food Branch is looking to hire two veterinarians!

The Food Directorate is looking to hire a VETERINARY CLINICIAN to oversee the Animal Resources Unit. Composed of six bureaus, the directorate is responsible for assessing health risks and benefits, setting standards, policies and regulations, and providing advice and information regarding the safety and nutritional quality of food. Working with us offers clinicians a chance to work with and provide veterinary services for researchers from across Health Canada in generating data to protect Canadians.

The Veterinary Drugs Directorate (VDD) is looking to hire a SENIOR VETERINARY DRUG EVALUATOR to conduct pre-market, science-based evaluations and support the development of guidance and policies for the safety and effectiveness of veterinary drugs. VDD works to protect human and animal health and the safety of Canada's food supply. Working with us offers veterinarians a unique opportunity to contribute to the safety, quality and efficacy of veterinary medicines.

If you are interested in joining the Federal family and want to make a difference, we encourage you to consider these exciting opportunities!

Duties

🔬 YOUR ROLE WITH US

VETERINARY CLINICIAN:
• Lead, manage and deliver professional veterinary services to the research community of Health Canada
• Plan, establish, lead and evaluate a clinical and anatomical veterinary pathology program to support Health Canada’s research programs
• Oversee the Animal Resources Unit and analyze/develop new methodologies to resolve challenges
• Review scientific literature, collect and organize data, make recommendations based on conclusions drawn from analyses, and communicate results

SENIOR VETERINARY DRUG EVALUATOR:
• Analyzing, evaluating and approving complex veterinary drug submissions and clinical trials processes
• Providing organizational strategies and guidance for projects requiring an authoritative level of veterinary science expertise.
• Contributing to the development and implementation of regulations
• Designing and preparing guidelines for manufacturers’ veterinary drug submissions and providing expertise to assist manufacturers in achieving the goals of safety, quality and effectiveness for veterinary drugs
• Contributing to regulatory international cooperation for premarket evaluations and post market surveillance of veterinary drug submissions.

Work environment

Why work for Health Canada?

📢 FIND WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Health Canada values work-life balance and supports flexible work arrangements wherever possible. You and your family will also have access to our excellent Employee Assistance Program as well as coverage for mental health practitioners through your health benefits.

📢 JOIN A SUPPORTIVE AND INCLUSIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT
From our Employee Assistance Program, which provides mental health support for you and your family members, to a senior management cadre that supports your growth and development, you will never lack opportunity. From an inclusion perspective, we want you to bring your whole self to work! We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex (including gender identity and/or expression), national origin, sexual orientation, civil union or relationship status, disability, age, parental status, military service, or other status protected under federal law.

Everyone is welcome! Health Canada is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce that comprises individuals who have an array of identities, abilities, background, culture, skills, perspectives, and experiences that are representative of Canada’s current and evolving population. We are passionate about fostering a workplace where all people feel welcome, can reach their full potential, and contribute their unique perspectives and experience to the success of the team.

📢 PENSION AND HEALTH BENEFITS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
We offer a top-notch Health and Dental benefits plan for you and your family that is 100% employer-paid at the base level. Moreover, you can rest assured that your retirement will be protected with our excellent Pension plan.

📢 WORK IN A WORLD CLASS CITY
Your team is located in Ottawa, Ontario. While we are presently working from home, the requirements for some of these positions may require your physical presence in the office. Should relocation to Ottawa be necessary, you will be provided with up to $5000 to help you settle into your new home in this world-class city. Flexible work arrangements, such as alternative schedules and occasional remote work, may also be available.
❗❗ Please note that VETERINARY CLINICIANS are required to work onsite ❗❗

AND, SO MUCH MORE! APPLY TODAY AND SEE WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER.

Intent of the process

We currently have one Veterinary Clinician position and one Senior Veterinary Drug Evaluator position available immediately. However, we anticipate future needs for both positions and are building a pool of qualified candidates to draw from as these needs arise. When you are applying to this process, please ensure that you are ONLY responding to the screening questions that are for the position(s) that you are interested in.

Applicants should be aware that this pool may be used to staff identical or similar positions within the Federal Public Service.

Are you already a VM within the Federal Public Service? Don’t miss out! This process may be used for promotional and at-level movement of internal employees. Submit your application today!

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

🔑 ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

📚 EDUCATION

VETERINARY CLINICIAN & SENIOR VETERINARY DRUG EVALUATOR:
Graduation from a recognized school of Veterinary Medicine, defined as:
↪ graduation from a veterinary school accredited or approved by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA); or
↪ graduation from another veterinary school and holding a Certificate of Qualification (Parts A, B & C) granted by the National Examining Board of the CVMA.

SENIOR VETERINARY DRUG EVALUATOR:
Master’s degree or Ph.D. from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position

Degree equivalency

✍️ OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION

VETERINARY CLINICIAN & SENIOR VETERINARY DRUG EVALUATOR:
• Eligibility for membership to a provincial or territorial body that regulates the delivery of veterinary medicine in Canada

📋 EXPERIENCE

VETERINARY CLINICIAN:
• Two years experience providing veterinary services for a variety of laboratory animal species.
• Experience performing clinical examinations, diagnostic assessments, and treatment of a variety of laboratory mammalian species.
• Experience in providing expert clinical advice and recommendations to various audiences.

SENIOR VETERINARY DRUG EVALUATOR:
• Three years of relevant experience in clinical practice or working in a regulatory capacity or research capacity.
• Experience in reviewing, researching and analyzing scientific and technical information and in the production of scientific reports;
• Experience in providing expert scientific and clinical advice and recommendations to various audiences including senior management*
*senior management is defined as director level or above
• Experience in working within multidisciplinary scientific teams engaged in the resolution of complex and time sensitive issues;
• Experience in building cooperative partnerships and working relationships with a variety of internal/external stakeholders (for example: academic and research institutions, provincial and territorial associations).

🧠 KNOWLEDGE

VETERINARY CLINICIAN:
• Knowledge of the Canadian Council on Animal Care guidelines.

SENIOR VETERINARY DRUG EVALUATOR:
• Knowledge of current theories and principles of veterinary medicine; as they relate to the use of veterinary drugs in food producing or companion animals raised under conditions of North American Management and climate
• Knowledge of the veterinary health industry issues, concerns and concepts.

🤹 ABILITIES

VETERINARY CLINICIAN:
• Ability to manage a team
• Ability to provide veterinary medical and technical advice.
• Ability to develop disease control and eradication programs.
• Ability to understand, analyze and interpret clinical pathology tests for diagnostic purposes.
• Ability to evaluate chemical, biological and physical hazards associated with laboratory procedures, in order to ensure that proper safety precautions are taken for their handling and disposal.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

SENIOR VETERINARY DRUG EVALUATOR:
• Ability to critically analyze and integrate complex pharmacological data related to the safety and efficacy of veterinary drugs and make scientific, regulatory defensible recommendations.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage workload efficiently.
• Ability to provide strategic and operational leadership to multi-disciplinary project teams
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

💡 PERSONAL SUITABILITIES

VETERINARY CLINICIAN & SENIOR VETERINARY DRUG EVALUATOR:
• Effective interpersonal relationships
• Judgement
• Respectful of diversity
• Dependability
• Leadership
• Initiative

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

Various language requirements
🗣️ OFFICIAL LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

VETERINARY CLINICIAN & SENIOR VETERINARY DRUG EVALUATOR:
• English Essential
• Bilingual Imperative – BBB/BBB

Information on language requirements

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

👌 ASSET QUALIFICATIONS

✍️ OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION

VETERINARY CLINICIAN:
• Diploma from the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine.
• Certification in Laboratory Animal Medicine.

📋 EXPERIENCE

VETERINARY CLINICIAN:
• Experience managing a laboratory animal, an anatomical pathology or clinical pathology program.
• Experience performing pathological examinations and writing pathological reports.
• Experience in specialized veterinary fields (e.g., clinical pathology, surgical and microsurgical techniques, necropsy, pathological procedures, infectious disease monitoring).

SENIOR VETERINARY DRUG EVALUATOR:
• Experience working in science based regulatory environment
• Experience in directing and conducting the evaluation of scientific data related to animal health issues
• Experience as a scientific reviewer, analyst or advisor in a regulatory environment.
• Experience in the agricultural industry or as a veterinarian in food producing species

🧠 KNOWLEDGE

SENIOR VETERINARY DRUG EVALUATOR:
• Knowledge of basic principles in statistics, epidemiology and risk assessment.

❗❗ OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

VETERINARY CLINICIAN:
• Must be willing and able to work overtime, including weekends, and be on call.
• Must be willing and able to work in a biological containment laboratory or laboratory setting, which includes working with animals, hazardous chemicals and infectious agents.
• Must be willing and able to handle animals and manipulate instruments.

SENIOR VETERINARY DRUG EVALUATOR:
• Must be willing and able to work overtime on occasion

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

🦠 All employees of the core public administration are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless accommodated based on a medical contraindication, religion, or another prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act and attest to their vaccination status.

VETERINARY CLINICIAN:
• Current valid licensure by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario or the Ordre des médecins vétérinaires du Québec and a member in good standing
• Category III Medical clearance

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

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR RESPONSES TO THE SCREENING QUESTIONS AND YOUR RESUME MAY BE USED TO EVALUATE YOUR ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY IN WRITING.

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed. Meeting one or many of the asset qualifications may be a deciding factor in appointing a particular candidate amongst the qualified candidates. Please note that some or all of the asset qualifications could be used at the screening phase.

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 special accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/assessment-accommodation-page/how-to-request-assessment-accommodation.html

You are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of your choice (English or French). You are asked to indicate your preferred official language in your application.

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.

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.