Writer/Editor

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

SCREENING QUESTIONS:
When applying to this position, you will need to demonstrate how you meet the essential and asset education and experience criteria by answering screening questions.

When answering 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, using this tool, candidates must demonstrate how they meet the education and experience criteria listed in the job opportunity advertisement by providing clear and concrete examples.

Résumés may be used as a secondary source to validate the qualifications described; comments such as "refer to my attached resume" will not be accepted and may result in your application being rejected. Failure to provide this information in the requested format may result in your application being rejected.

Work environment

The Ministerial Correspondence Unit at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is a collaborative team of writers and analysts who respond to letters addressed to the Minister. From whales to plastics to aquaculture to fleet renewal, we keep up with the latest issues.

The Writer/Editor position blends good editing skills, good communication and client relations skills, and ability to assist colleagues on issues related to correspondence throughout DFO/CCG. We are a team of 15 employees who always add more value to correspondence while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Still de-bait-ing? Here are a few more reasons why we think you should join DFO/CCG.

DFO and CCG have been recognized as a top employer with multiple awards; Canada’s Top Employers for Young People (2019), National Capital Region’s Top Employers (2019), Forbes Canada’s Best Employers (2018). We encourage the creativity of our employees and we focus on professional development.

We have adapted to a hybrid work environment which requires remote work 3 days a week with 2 days on site at 200 Kent Street.

Still reading? Then we dolphin-ately want you on our team!

Intent of the process

The intent of this staffing process is to create a pool of qualified candidates which may be used to fill identical or similar positions with various tenures, security profiles and linguistic requirements within Fisheries and Oceans Canada in the NCR.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION:
• Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution*.

NOTE: Based on their education, training and/or experience, indeterminate incumbents of positions in the IS classification are deemed to meet the minimum education standard whenever a bachelor's degree without specialization is called for in a position classified as IS. At the manager's discretion, an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience, may serve as an alternative to the minimum education standard.

Degree equivalency

Nota: the ability to communicate effectively in writing will be taken into account in your screening answers.

EXPERIENCE:
• Recent* experience writing, editing, and proofreading current, complex and sensitive documents to be read by the public.
• Recent* experience providing recommendations to management** on sensitive issues.
• Experience in analyzing information and data from various sources to facilitate the preparation of documents to be read by the public.
• Experience liaising with subject matter experts and senior officials*** on public matters, and urgent and high-profile issues.
• Recent* experience using tools such as Outlook, Excel, MS Teams and a document tracking system and tools, such as ccmEnterprise, cccMercury, GCDocs, etc.

* Recent is defined as experience normally acquired within the last 2 years.
** Management is defined as EX minus 02 and above.
*** Senior officials are defined as being Director (EX 01) level and above.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:
• Knowledge of Fisheries and Ocean Canada's mandate.

ABILITIES:
• Ability to undertake correspondence-related research and to draft complex and sensitive correspondence for senior officials.*
• Ability to synthesize inputs on current and complex issues to draft effective correspondence.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Ability to write and edit electronically.
• Ability to provide writing and editing services and assistance to subject matter experts and senior officials.*
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.

*Senior officials are defined as being Director (EX 01) level and above.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
• Thinking things through.
• Working affectively with others.
• Demonstrating integrity and respect.
• Showing initiative and being action-oriented.

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

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ASSET QUALIFICATIONS
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ABILITY:
• Ability to provide issues management advice to subject matter experts and senior officials* on sensitive issues.

* Senior officials are defined as being Director (EX 01) level and above.

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OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
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• Willingness and ability to work overtime, often on short notice.
• Willingness and ability to adopt flexible work hours as per operational requirements.
• Willingness and ability to work in a hybrid environment.

Conditions of employment

• Secret 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.

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.