Junior Technologist (Monitoring/Data Services)

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

Environment and Climate Change Canada is committed to having a skilled and diversified workforce representative of the population we serve. In support of our Engagement Strategy to achieve employment equity goals, selection may be limited to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Women, Aboriginals, Persons with a Disability, or a Visible Minority.

EG-03 Junior Technologists are provided training prior to starting the position; 6 weeks of Surface Weather training at the Nav Centre in Cornwall, ON and 3 weeks Aerological (Upper Air) training at Environment and Climate Change Canada’s [ECCC’s] Stony Plain training facility, co-located with the Stony Plain Upper Air Station in Stony Plain, AB.

The Junior Technologist position is based in Stony Plain, AB. The position requires rotations to the remote high arctic locations of Eureka, NU or Alert, NU for 3-4 months at a time.

Duties

A ‘normal’ rotation for the Junior Technologist is 3 to 6 months working in Stony Plain, followed by a tour of approximately 3 months at one of the high arctic stations (Eureka or Alert). The arctic tour is followed by approximately 3 months off (paid, or ‘compensatory’ leave), based on the total overtime accumulated while working at the remote station. Shiftwork is required at all three locations.

Please note that the time required to be in Stony Plain can fluctuate greatly. The 3-6 month average can increase based on operational requirements and career development purposes. Technologists can be called back to work with only 7 days’ notice, while on their compensatory time off if operational requirements dictate. For these reasons, it is strongly suggested that Technologists relocate to the Stony Plain area to limit requirements to find temporary accommodation sometimes on short notice.

The main duties associated with the Junior Technologist position:
1) Surface Weather Observations – ground based measurements of cloud, wind, air temperature and humidity, visibility and weather phenomenon.

2) Aerological Observations – Preparing transmitting equipment as well as inflating and releasing large hydrogen-filled weather balloons for the purposes of observing, recording and transmitting upper air data.

3) National Aerological Monitoring Desk – Providing assistance and technical advice to technicians performing aerological observations at any of the 30 sites across Canada.

4) In addition to these main tasks, as a Junior Technologist you will be responsible for conducting ice thickness and snow depth measurements, performing first line maintenance on a variety of meteorological and non-meteorological equipment, training new observers, testing instrumentation and aerological supplies, operating an air-to-ground radio system, as well as other various duties.

Stony Plain is located 40 km west of Edmonton, AB. The Stony Plain Weather Station is located approximately 8 km west of the town and there is no public transportation available.

The Junior Technologist position is based out of the Stony Plain office, therefore most staff relocate to Stony Plain, Spruce Grove or the west end of Edmonton. You are not required to relocate, however it must be understood that you are responsible for your own accommodation and expenses when stationed at the Stony Plain Weather Station. In addition, there is always a possibility of being called back to work at this location with only 7 days’ notice, as the rotation of a Junior Technologist is dynamic and can often change on short notice. For this reason, again, relocation is strongly encouraged.

Work environment

Junior Technologists are required to work rotating shifts of various duration in order to maintain programs that operate 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days per year including holidays. Scheduled workdays can range from 5 to 12 hours in duration, which could affect sleeping patterns and other daily routines. At times Junior Technologist may be required to work their scheduled days off to address staff shortages or emergency work assignments.

LIFE IN THE HIGH ARCTIC

The stations are located in one of the most remote areas of the high arctic in Nunavut, Canada. Weather extremes make it challenging and sometimes impossible to access the stations when required. Delays can be expected at any time of the year but are most frequent and cause the most disruption during the winter months.

The winter months can be especially “bleak” with extremes in temperatures as well as 24 hour darkness. Outdoor activities are very limited if possible at all during the winter. It is important to maintain one’s physical and mental health in these isolated environments as small issues can become serious and affect the health and safety of others at the station if not addressed properly.

Both locations are similar in that there are no commercial facilities available. There are no stores, restaurants, communities, nothing but the stations themselves, with very limited medical help. Both Eureka and Alert have phone systems; however, there are limits on the time each person can use the single line into the stations. Internet and satellite T.V. as well as a variety of recreational opportunities are available.

EUREKA

Eureka is located on Slidre Fiord on Ellesmere Island. The Eureka weather station is operated and managed by ECCC. We maintain our own power system, water, roads and runway. A charter flight arrives once a month bringing in fresh food and staff. This flight originates in Yellowknife, NT. Normal flight time is about 9 hours on a Dash-8 aircraft. This monthly charter flight serves as the main mode of transportation to and from the Eureka Weather station.

Once a year, sealift occurs during late summer. The Canadian Coast Guard Ice Breaker ship brings up our annual resupply of dry goods, equipment, supplies and fuel for the upcoming year.

ALERT

Alert is located on Ellesmere Island near the most northern point of land in Canada.

The Alert Weather Station is located at Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert, a Canadian military base. The average population is 74 military and civilian contract personnel; this can fluctuate depending on the time of year. ECCC employees must live and abide by military rules, which govern this station.

Flights into Alert are by Military aircraft, normally by C130 Hercules, and originate out of CFB Trenton, ON. Note that a passport is required due to the possibility of a stop in Greenland.

Intent of the process

The intent of this selection process is to staff two (2) one (1) year term positions in Stony Plain, Alberta, with rotations to Eureka and/or Alert, Nunavut

A pool of (fully or partially) qualified candidates may be established through this process to staff identical or similar positions within Environment and Climate Change Canada at EG-03 group and level with various tenures such as indeterminate, term, acting, assignment or secondment, and with various language requirements, various security requirements, various conditions of employment and for various locations.

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)

EDUCATION:
• A secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives (See Note 1)

Note 1:
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.

Candidates who already meet both of the following criteria must be accepted as meeting the secondary school diploma requirement:
a.Candidates who have achieved a satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission test approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma; and
b.Candidates who have been appointed or deployed for an indeterminate period to a position in the EG classification.

The opportunity to be assessed by at least one of the two employer-approved alternatives must be offered to candidates who have not previously met the secondary school diploma requirement.

Candidates who were appointed or deployed on an indeterminate basis using an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience meet the secondary school requirement for the EG classification only and must be reassessed for entry to other classifications on the basis of this alternative.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
• Experience operating a personal computer and in applying standard software applications, such as MS Word and Excel

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

ABILITIES/SKILLS:
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing*
• Detail oriented
• Thinking things through

*NOTE: At any time during the assessment process, the language requirement of the unilingual position or the first official language, in the case of a bilingual position, must be assessed

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
• Dependability
• Adaptability
• Demonstrate integrity and respect
• Work effectively with others
• Showing initiative and being action oriented

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

ASSET EDUCATION:
• Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in electronics
OR
A diploma or a certificate from a recognized post-secondary institution in electronics
• Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in an atmospheric-related science
OR
A diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in an atmospheric-related science

Degree equivalency

ASSET EXPERIENCE:
• Experience in surface or aerological weather observing within the last five (5) years
• Experience living and working in remote locations with few amenities available, for periods of three (3) weeks or more

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
• Pre-employment and periodic medicals
• Valid driver’s license
• Valid Canadian passport
• Requirement to work overtime
• Requirement to work shift work, weekends, holidays
• Requirement to rotate to isolated posts – Eureka NU; Alert, NU
• Requirement to travel in small aircraft, boats and/or road vehicles
• Requirement to work in a remote and isolated location for up to four (4) consecutive months
• Requirement to work with hazardous materials, including hydrogen gas
• Requirement to carry up to twenty (20) kg up a flight of stairs or horizontally 20 meters

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

When completing the screening questions, remember that the assessment board cannot make assumptions about your experience. It is insufficient to say that you have the required qualifications or to list your current or past duties. Rather, candidates must demonstrate how they meet the education and experience criteria listed in the job opportunity advertisement by providing CLEAR AND CONCRETE EXAMPLES.

Our intention is to communicate with applicants by e-mail for screening/assessment purposes. Applicants who apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid e-mail address and make sure this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users. Please ensure you check your e-mail periodically.

Assets qualifications (other qualifications) could be used at the preselection phase.

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A test may be administered.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

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/

Persons are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language 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.