Chemist, Special Analyses and Methods Development

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

Work environment

Natural Resources Canada is committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. This organizational need may be identified as part of the appointment decision. In such cases, qualified candidates who self-declare as members of a visible minority group, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities or women (in non-traditional occupations) could be considered in priority.

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified candidates may be established through this process to staff identical or similar positions at Natural Resources Canada with various tenures (determinate period or indeterminate), language requirements (English Essential, French Essential, English or French Essential and Bilingual
(Imperative and/or Non-Imperative) and profile(s) (BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC,CCC/CCC, etc.).

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter

Contact information for 2 references.

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

• Graduation with a bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in chemistry; or

• A bachelor's degree in a natural, physical or applied science from a recognized post-secondary institution, with an acceptable specialization in a scientific field relevant to the duties of the position, such as: chemistry, analytical chemistry or an equivalent discipline related to the activities of the position.

• Applicants submitting education credentials from a non-Canadian institution are responsible for obtaining certification that these credentials are the equivalent of the Canadian education level required for the position.

Degree equivalency

Significant* work experience in planning, organizing, developing and performing complex analytical procedures and methods in an inorganic analytical chemistry laboratory**.

Recent*** work experience in the interpretation, verification against QA/QC protocols and presentation of scientific data from the analysis of environmental and/or mineralogical samples.

Recent*** work experience in coordinating and supervising the activities of scientific support staff in the area of routine sample processing, method modification and method development.

Recent*** experience in collaborating with scientists, managers and clients in identifying and defining project study objectives; advising them on unique analytical approaches and equipment to carry out investigations

*Significant is defined as experience associated with having performed a broad range of activities in an analytical chemistry laboratory** which could normally be acquired over a period of approximately two (2) years or more.

** By analytical chemistry laboratory we mean: (1) where common laboratory equipment such as analytical balance, auto dilutors, pipettes and fume hoods are used, (2) where partial or complete sample digestion methods are used, (3) where common ions or elemental species are separated using hyphenated and non-hyphenated HPLC systems and (4) where ionic detection and elemental spectroscopy such as: IR, UV-Vis, conductivity, WD-XRF, ICP-AES or OES, ICP-MS and LC-ICP-MS are used to quantify the analytes of interest.

***Recent is defined a minimum of two (2) years of experience normally 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
• Of current analytical chemistry instrumentation used in an inorganic laboratory, its application and common principles of operation
• Of techniques for quality control of results
• Of the methods of collecting, compiling and evaluating data
• Of the practices and procedures for laboratory health and safety, including the handling of hazardous products

• Ability to commission, calibrate, operate and maintain laboratory equipment and a variety advanced analytical instrumentation.
• Ability to plan and execute basic and advanced instrumental chemical analyses based on client requirements or input from senior scientists;
• Ability to use scientific and office productivity software to compile, analyze and present experimental data for inclusion in technical reports or presentations;
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Strategic thinking: Analysis and ideas
• Engagement: People, organizations, partners
• Manage a laboratory with respects to financial and human resources and to ensure the efficient operation of all instrumentation
• Supervise the operations of a laboratory

• Judgment
• Initiative
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Attention to details
• Values and ethics

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

Master’s degree in chemistry, or other scientific discipline related to analytical chemistry

Degree equivalency

Experience
• Contributing to scientific papers
• Planning and coordinating analytical chemistry services
• Experience working in a commercial analytical laboratory

Knowledge
• Of current trends and advances in chemistry as they relate to project activities
• Of government and non-government laboratories conducting similar science projects
• Of the organization and objectives of the department, sector and work unit
• Of the practices of human resource management

• Management excellence: Action management, people management, financial management

Natural Resources Canada is committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. This organizational need may be identified as part of the appointment decision. In such cases, qualified candidates who self-declare as members of a visible minority group, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities or women (in non-traditional occupations) could be considered in priority.

• Ability to work overtime on short notice
• The work is to be performed on-site, remote work is not possible

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.

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

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.


Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A test may be administered.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) of their choice.

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.