Screening Officer

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.

Duties

The Public Health Agency of Canada is at the front lines of the Government of Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Canada is implementing an evolving health response, which requires a high degree of adaptability from staff. As a result, the days can be demanding. The Agency is looking for people who thrive on challenges; cope well with the unexpected, and who have good judgement to complement our public and travel health teams at the ports of entry.

The Screening Officer at the airport or land border supports the enforcement of the Quarantine Act, in support of Canada's response to COVID-19.

Tasks of the position may include, but are not limited to:
- Greets travelers at the Canadian border, assesses whether their quarantine plan or state of health requires further assessment by a quarantine officer;
- Screening for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases;
- Communicates basic information on travelers' obligations for their quarantine;
- Facilitates the organization of appropriate quarantine plans, when necessary;
- Provides information, advice and support to partners at entry points;
- Assists with the ArriveCan App;
- Prepares documentation accurately and professionally and inputs into an electronic management and surveillance systems; and
- Issue warnings and fines in accordance with the Quarantine Act.

By joining the PHAC Public Health and Travel Team, you will help protect the health and safety of Canadians by implementing protocols to prevent and limit the spread of communicable diseases.

Public Health Agency of Canada identification clothing will be provided for employment.

Work environment

The Public Health Agency of Canada has been created to deliver on the Government of Canada's commitment to help protect the health and safety of all Canadians. Our current focus is COVID-19 and responding to this public health emergency. Other efforts and activities within the agency are preventing chronic diseases, like cancer and heart disease, preventing injuries and responding to other public health emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks.

WHY WORK AT THE PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA?
The Public Health Agency of Canada is known for providing their employees with an exceptional workplace, opportunities for professional development, and access to continued learning throughout their careers.

If you are interested in joining an organization that is dedicated to creating a positive and dynamic environment, where employees with new ideas and fresh perspectives can make a difference, especially as part of this emergency response, don't hesitate - apply now!

Intent of the process

There is an immediate need for Screening Officers at the points of entry in Lacolle (Quebec), Stanstead (Quebec), Saint-Armand (Quebec), Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (Quebec), Jean Lesage International Airport (Québec), Edmundston, (New Brunswick), St. Stephen, (New Brunswick), Halifax (Nova Scotia), Halifax-Stanfield International Airport (Nova Scotia), Toronto Pearson International Airport (Ontario), Niagara Falls (Ontario), Fort Erie (Ontario), Windsor (Ontario), Lansdowne (Ontario), Prescott (Ontario), Fort Frances (Ontario), Ottawa Airport (Ontario), Ottawa (with possibility of virtual work), Emerson (Manitoba), Coutts (Alberta), Osoyoos (British Columbia), and Abbotsford (British Columbia). Future needs may arise at other land borders and ports of entry across Canada so you are encouraged to apply even if your preferred location is not listed above.

When you apply to this process, you will be asked to select which ports of entry you would be able and willing to work at across Canada, which may include rural, remote or isolated areas. Depending on the port of entry, you may be eligible for Commuting Assistance Directive as outlined in the policy: https://www.njc-cnm.gc.ca/directive/d2/en

This inventory may be used to staff immediate and future vacant positions within the Public Health Agency of Canada:
* various tenures,
* various language requirements and linguistic profiles,
* various security requirements,
* various operational requirements, and/or
* various conditions of employment.

The Public Health Agency of Canada will retrieve applications on an as needed basis and assess the applicants. The first pull of applications may be as early as June 30, 2022. It is therefore important for candidates to indicate all the locations for which they are interested to work in. Please note that each hiring manager may have specific criteria to assess for their respective positions. You only need to apply once to be considered for many opportunities. Once your application is in our inventory, even if your application is not retrieved for one job, it remains in the inventory and can be retrieved later for other opportunities. It is important for candidates to indicate all the locations for which they are interested in. Additional locations, may be considered based on the needs of the position being staffed. Candidates may be contacted to express interest in the additional locations.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Some essential qualifications could be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification.

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

Education:
A secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives.

Note:
The employer-approved alternatives to a secondary school diploma are:
A satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission test approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma; or
An acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Experience in dealing with information in a confidential manner.
Experience in collecting and reporting information concisely and accurately.
Experience working with the public, such as in a client/customer service environment (i.e. call centre, retail, etc.).
Experience dealing with difficult clients or customers.

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

Various language requirements
Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB; CBC/CBC
English Essential
French Essential

Information on language requirements

Competencies:
Demonstrating integrity and respect (includes respect for diversity)
Adaptability
Judgement
Reliability
Teamwork
Client Service Orientation

Abilities:
Ability to communicate effectively orally
Ability to communicate effectively in writing
Ability to work under pressure

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

Asset Education:
Graduation with a degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

Asset Experience:
Experience working in the field of health.
Experience with crisis intervention or de-escalation in confrontational situations.
Experience working with partners at the border (CBSA, police, ambulance, first responders, airport authorities, etc.).

Operational requirements:
Willingness and ability to work overtime as required, on short notice.
Willingness and ability to be on call, and on stand-by as required. This may require working in the evenings and on weekends.
Willing and able to wear partial to full protective equipment for long periods of time (e.g., respiratory protection, N95 masks, gloves) in order to maintain infection prevention and control (depending on the position being staffed).
Willingness and ability to travel for work as needed (depending on the position being staffed).
Willing and able to work shifts, on a rotating basis, variable hours and schedules, weekends, and statutory holidays (Shift schedule will vary based on operational requirements and implemented in accordance with collective agreements/negotiated agreements with union).
Willingness and ability to complete ongoing training as requested by management
Willingness to work in close proximity to internal colleagues, partners and the general public for extended periods of time.
Willingness and ability to work in an environment that is physically demanding (working in a standing position, potentially outdoors, and walking frequently) and mentally demanding (managing stress associated with rapidly changing work conditions, repeating public health instructions frequently, calming and reassuring stressed, worried, aggressive or uncooperative travelers).
Willing and able to enforce the Quarantine Act (includes the issuance of tickets).
Willingness to work independently (depending on the position).
Willingness to work in Northern remote communities (depending on the position).

Conditions of employment

Security: Various - Reliability or Secret (depending on the position)
Valid class 5 driver's license (depending on the position).
Willing and able to present yourself in court during and post employment.
Willing and able to work shifts, on a rotating basis, variable hours and schedules, weekends, and statutory holidays (Shift schedule will vary based on operational requirements and implemented in accordance with collective agreements/negotiated agreements with union).
Willing and able to wear partial to full protective equipment for long periods of time (e.g., respiratory protection, N95 masks, gloves) in order to maintain infection prevention and control (depending on the position).
Must complete the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Screening Officer designation training and pass exam, enabling certification. Successful completion of this training program, of the exams and of the post-training follow-up to maintain the designation are all mandatory steps.
Travel to one or more work locations, as required (depending on the position).

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

Do you have a disability or functional limitation?

Give yourself the best chance to succeed when applying on GC Jobs!

Request accommodation if you have a temporary or permanent functional limitation that may impact your performance during an assessment, such as a test or an interview. Your request will be treated confidentially.

Changes could be made to the assessment procedure, format or content of an assessment tool. Supporting documentation regarding your limitation(s) may be needed to identify what measures would be required to fully demonstrate your abilities.

For more information about assessment accommodation: canada.ca/assessment-accommodation.
Please ensure that you read ALL points listed below, as this section contains important information about the application process. Failure to read these notes and follow these instructions could result in your application missing required information which may result in your application being eliminated from this selection process.

a) You are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of your choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

b) We will only accept on-line applications received via the Public Service Jobs site. Persons with disabilities or residing in locations that prevent them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

c) For this selection process, we will communicate with you by email. You must provide a valid email address to which you wish to receive communication regarding this selection process. You must ensure that you check your email account including spam, promotion or other folders regularly as there may be a deadline for responses. If you respond past the deadline you risk being removed from the selection process.

d) Based on the hiring division’s needs, additional essential qualifications, asset qualifications, organizational needs, operational requirements and/or conditions of employment may be identified and applied during the assessment and/or selection of candidates.

e) Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
i) Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
ii) Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
iii) Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience.
iv) Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications.
v) The organizational need of restructuring/budgetary constraints
vi) Relocation may be a consideration for more difficult to recruit locations
f) Proof of education will be requested if you are considered for a position. 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/

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent.

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.