Senior Technical Support, Health Effects

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

Health Canada is committed to increasing representation of Black employees and other racialized groups, Indigenous People, women and persons with disabilities. Health Canada would like its workforce to be reflective of the population it serves. Therefore, we encourage candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a member of one of these groups

Give yourself the best chance to succeed! As the objective of this process is to assess qualifications needed for the position(s) to be staffed, let us know if you have a functional limitation/ disability, which may affect your performance. For example, contact us if you need assistance in completing and submitting your application. Should you then proceed to the next assessment stage, such as an exam or interview, we will send you an e-mail with additional information on the assessment format so that you can determine if you may require an accommodation (such as a different test format, an adaptive technology, or additional time). Assessment accommodations are designed to remove the obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so candidates with functional limitations can fully demonstrate their abilities.

You may also review jobs open to the public through INFOTEL at 1-800-645-5605. The INFOTEL number for persons using a TTY/TDD is 1-800-532-9397.

Health Canada welcomes applications from Veterans. We recognize your contribution to Canadians and would like to offer you the opportunity to continue your career in an environment where multi-talented employees with diverse skills are appreciated and supported.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

Health Canada and the Public Health Agency are 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.

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.

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

Work environment

Are you interested in working at a cutting-edge organization that values both your physical and psychological health and wellness, provides rich career development opportunities and rewards innovation? Health Canada has been recognized as one of the Top Employers for Young People for five years running and as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the past ten years! Don’t miss your opportunity to not only enjoy the unparalleled benefits of the public service, but to get so much more on our award-winning team!

Intent of the process

Stream 1: Molecular techniques
Stream 2 : Biochemical toxicology
Stream 3 : Cellular toxicology

Please make sure to answer all questions pertaining to the stream(s) you are applying to.

The immediate intent of this process is to staff 1 indeterminate position with an English Essential language profile. In addition, applicants should be aware that this selection process may be used to staff similar positions at this group and level across Health Canada. As a result of the potential and possible use of the selection process and subsequent pool by hiring managers, we encourage all employees seeking this type of position/workstream and/or group and level to apply.

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)

Ed1: EDUCATION
Successful completion of a 3 or 4 year educational program from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a field such as biology, biochemistry, toxicology or other discipline related to the position.

Degree equivalency

COMMON EXPERIENCE
EEx1. Extensive* experience in planning, developing, and conducting in vivo or in vitro biological laboratory assays;
EEx2. Extensive* experience in operating and trouble-shooting scientific laboratory instrumentation;
EEx3. Extensive* experience with scientific data collection, analysis and record keeping;
EEx4. Experience using computer software for statistical analysis of laboratory data;
EEx5. Experience in handling, disposing of and keeping inventory of hazardous chemicals or biohazards in accordance with the appropriate laboratory safety procedures.

NOTE:
*Extensive experience is defined as experience normally acquired over approximately three or more years during remunerated work or graduate studies. It does not include undergraduate experience.

STREAM 1 EXPERIENCE
EEx6. Experience with molecular techniques relating to genomic, transcriptomic or proteomic analyses;

STREAM 2 EXPERIENCE
EEx7. Experience with biochemical toxicology techniques using immunofluorescence assays, colorimetric assays or enzyme assays;

STREAM 3 EXPERIENCE
EEx8. Experience with in vitro cellular toxicology analysis methods for cell cultures, stem cells, 3D cell cultures or organoids.

COMMON KNOWLEDGE
EK1. Knowledge of statistical methods and experimental design;
EK2. Knowledge of laboratory safety requirements and procedures.

STREAM 1 KNOWLEDGE
EK3. Knowledge of molecular techniques relating to genomic, transcriptional or proteomic analyses.

STREAM 2 KNOWLEDGE
EK4. Knowledge of biochemical toxicology techniques using immunofluorescence, colorimetric assays or enzyme assays.

STREAM 3 KNOWLEDGE
EK5. Knowledge of in vitro cellular toxicology analysis methods for cell cultures, stem cells, 3D cell cultures or organoids.

ABILITIES
EA1. Ability to critically evaluate methods of analysis, identify errors and problems, and devise improvements;
EA2. Ability to perform scientific calculations and to interpret the results;
EA3. Ability to organize experiments and maintain associated documentation;
EA4. Ability to handle laboratory animals, administer test compounds by various routes, and obtain and handle various biological specimens;
EA5. Ability to manage several projects and collaborative studies simultaneously, prioritize, organize time, and meet deadlines;
EA6. Ability to communicate effectively orally;
EA7. Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY
EPS1. Effective interpersonal skills;
EPS2. Judgement;
EPS3. Thoroughness;
EPS4. Initiative;
EPS5. Respectful of diversity.

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

Various language requirements
English Essential
Bilingual Imperative (BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC)

Information on language requirements

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

ASSET EDUCATION
AEd1: Successful completion of a post-graduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in biology, biochemistry, toxicology or other discipline related to the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
AEx1. Experience with bioinformatics and data analyses relating to “omics” methodologies;
AEx2. Experience in organizing and conducting animal experiments involving laboratory rodents;
AEx3. Experience in maintaining a laboratory for a research scientist; this excludes supervision.
AEx4. Extensive* and recent** experience in planning, developing, and conducting in vivo or in vitro biological laboratory assays;
AEx5. Extensive* and recent** experience in operating and trouble-shooting scientific laboratory instrumentation.

NOTE:
*Extensive experience is defined as experience normally acquired over approximately three or more years gained during remunerated work or graduate studies. It does not include undergraduate experience.
**Recent experience is defined as experience acquired within the last 5 years.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Willingness and ability to work safely with chemical and biological hazards
Willingness and ability to work safely with toxic and carcinogenic chemicals
Willingness and ability to work under sterile conditions for extended periods
Willingness and ability to work safely with a variety of human/animal tissues and laboratory animals
Willingness and ability to work outside normal working hours

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

2)A valid Pre-Placement (Category 3) health evaluation in accordance with the Occupational
Health Evaluation Standard (http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=12561); and,

3) Undertake a periodic health evaluation in accordance with Appendix A of the Occupational
Health Evaluation Standard Schedule (http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doceng.
aspx?id=12561&section=HTML).

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

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.

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.
For this process, emails are the most efficient way to communicate with you. Candidates who apply to this selection process must include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). If you do not wish to receive results by email or if you change your email address during the process, it is your responsibility to inform us.

Please note that candidates are responsible for submitting their application by the closing date in order to be considered. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE THROUGH THE PSRS SYSTEM. No applications will be accepted once the deadline has passed. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or possibly missing information.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: The PSRS system will time out after 60 minutes of inactivity which may result in your inability to save your work or loss of data. It is recommended that you draft ALL RESPONSES in another document on your PC which may be saved (e.g. in MS Word or WordPerfect) and copy/paste into the PSRS system when completed. HEALTH CANADA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SYSTEM PROBLEMS WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF DATA AND/OR INCOMPLETE OR NON SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS.

As per the Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration Including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=32694), 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 (temporary), 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.

Please note that volume management strategies, such as random selection, top-down approach, invoking any asset(s) and/or cut-off scores, MAY be used at any point in the staffing process for the purpose of managing volumes of applications/candidates.

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.