Assistant Librarian

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

Tips for candidates who wish to apply:
✔ The application process will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.
✔ When submitting your application, you will be asked for information about your education and experience. The system will prompt you with specific questions for each qualification. This requires that you provide additional details in a written text response thoroughly explaining where, when and how you obtained this education or experience. Ensure you answer the questions if applicable.
✔ Your Resume is also required.
✔ Keep reading to find out more exciting and important information about the selection process, the Information Specialist job and our work environment in the sections below.

Duties

Public Health Agency of Canada Information Specialists are modern-day librarians who can access a range of resources, and support diverse clients and projects from their desktops. On any given day, they might be asked to identify laboratory standards, link to the latest public health surveillance data, find current health reports and key research publications, or search for public health, clinical, and/or psychosocial topics in specialized databases. When asked about the best part of the job is, the PHAC Librarian said "Knowing that you make a difference. Knowing that what you did several months ago is having an impact somewhere else in a much bigger project. In public health and within the Office of the Chief Science Officer, the impact could be immediate! It is very rewarding.”

As a PHAC Information Specialist, you will utilize your library and information science training to
✔ Provide library services including reference, information research, bibliometric analysis, information literacy/training, and current awareness to clients across the department.
✔ Respond to client requests by gathering information and analyzing research needs.
✔ Identify sources of information search and compile data using a variety of research techniques and tools.
✔ Monitory relevant news sources and produce media monitoring reports as required.
✔ Participate in client outreach activities to promote library services, and provide training to clients on the use of library and information resources, open scholarship and open science.
✔ Participate in collection analysis and management in collaboration with the PHAC Librarian and key stakeholders.
✔ Participate in project and task teams and professional consortia and committees.

Work environment

The federal Health Library comprises both the Health Canada Library and the PHAC Library, in the Office of PHAC’s Chief Science Officer (OCSO), and is part of the Federal Science Library Network. The PHAC Library maintains a physical collection in the National Capital Region at 130 Colonnade Road. The Assistant Librarian(s) positions will be expected to work offsite, with the option for physical office space when appropriate.

Intent of the process

This process will be used to staff two specified period positions. The result of this selection process will be to create a pool of qualified candidates from which future permanent and/or temporary LS-02 vacancies within the federal public service may be filled.

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:
Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a master's degree in library science.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Minimum of 24 months client service experience
• Experience in providing research or information management services.
• Experience managing client service communications.

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

Various language requirements
English Essential
Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of how library services operate.
• Knowledge of the Library and Archives Canada Act.

Abilities:
• Ability to communicate effectively orally.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Ability to provide guidance to clients about library services.
• Ability to analyze and interpret policies and procedures
• Ability to navigate and operate library specific software and systems

Personal Suitability:
• Showing initiative and being action-oriented
• Thinking things through
• Working effectively with others
• Respect of Diversity
• Dependability

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

Asset Education:
Completion of a Library Technical Diploma.

Degree equivalency

Asset Experience:
• Experience working in a library.
• Experience in processing library acquisitions.
• Experience working in library cataloguing or collections in a Government of Canada library.
• Experience in providing instructions to clients.
• Experience with document delivery/administering inter-library loans.

Operational Requirements:
Ability and willingness to work 7.5 hours per day within Public Health Library of Canada core hours.
Ability and willingness to work overtime

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

APPLICATION & CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION
Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs.html.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language(s) in their application.

We will contact you by e-mail. Please ensure that your e-mail address is valid and accepts messages from unknown users. It is your responsibility to regularly check your e-mail for communications regarding this selection process. Should we contact you and you fail to reply within the designated periods, your application may not be considered further.

ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to a position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification, if applicable.

All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the candidates. A written examination and an interview may be administered. Reference checks will be sought. Proof of your education credentials will be required at a later date.

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.