Laboratory Liaison Technical Officers, Territories

Important messages

Are you a Northerner or have you been contemplating moving to live in the Yukon, Northwest Territories or Nunavut?

The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML), PHAC is looking to hire for current and future vacancies, and invites you to apply to this inventory if you are interested in working in person in these locations.

This inventory posting will be used to support immediate staffing of three Laboratory Liaison Technical Officer (LLTO) positions located in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut respectively; and may be used to staff additional positions of various types and term lengths. Please note that any assessment resulting from this inventory will only be used for positions located in the three Territories.

Working in the North offers unique professional development opportunities and a beautiful place to live and work. As a public health laboratory professional, you will have the opportunity to work with amazing colleagues and community partners, experience a vibrant culture, and explore a vast northern environment. Northern cities need dedicated, passionate and bold professionals interested in contributing to community wellness in partnership with others. Northern regions have some of Canada’s youngest and fastest growing populations.

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.

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.

LABORATORY LIAISON TECHNICAL OFFICERS
The Laboratory Liaison Technical Officer (LLTO) Program, NML, is currently seeking to expand its well-established network of LLTO positions across Canada to include Territorial representation, thereby enhancing national laboratory response and surge capacity in the North to support the following public health priority activities:
• microbiological diagnostic and reference testing, including implementation, coordination and standardization
• laboratory-based infectious disease (ID) surveillance
• pandemic and outbreak preparedness and response
• data collection, integration, analysis and reporting
• liaison work to support the implementation of inter-jurisdictional infectious disease diagnostic and reference testing, surveillance and response initiatives (in alignment with Public Health Agency of Canada and Territorial public health priorities)

While the scope of potential LLTO activities includes all of the activities listed above, the focus of LLTO daily activities is expected to vary across Territorial host sites based on operational needs. All LLTO positions are full-time, mobilizable biological science (BI) positions funded by the NML and hosted by approved provincial/territorial placement sites. While LLTOs placements are intended to be long-term to strengthen network development and national laboratory response capacity within each host jurisdiction, LLTO positions may be strategically mobilized on a short or long-term basis to provide surge capacity for outbreak response efforts. Redeployment to alternate placement sites may also be considered to optimize national distribution of LLTO resources in response to changing operational requirements.

Northern benefits available to these positions, in addition to salary:
For these positions, in addition to your salary, you are also entitled to an Isolated Post Allowance (IPA) and Vacation Travel Assistance (VTA) (links to the IPA and VTA are provided under Work Environment section). These additional benefits are updated and subject to change, and below are ESTIMATES to provide you with a sense of what you are getting extra to cover the higher costs.

Whitehorse (Yukon)
• WITH dependants: Your Salary + IPA $6,181+ VTA $717 adult/$717 child
• WITHOUT dependants: Your Salary + IPA $3,708 + VTA $717 adult
Yellowknife (Northwest Territories)
• WITH dependants: Your Salary + IPA $18,177 + VTA $1,067 adult/$1,067 child
• WITHOUT dependants: Your Salary + IPA $10,905 + VTA $1,067 adult
Iqaluit (Nunavut)
• WITH dependants: Your Salary + IPA $38,127 + 2-VTA $1,500 adult/$1,500 child
• WITHOUT dependants: Your Salary + IPA $25,336 + 2-VTA $1,500 adult
*Note that government-owned housing may be available for Iqaluit. An additional shelter cost differential of $1,378 may also be applicable.
Rankin Inlet (Nunavut)
• WITH dependants: Your Salary + IPA $33,383 + 4-VTA $2956 adult/$2956 child
• WITHOUT dependants: Your Salary + IPA $20,028 + 4-VTA $2956 adult

Are you the ideal candidate?
• Do you live or want to work in Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Iqaluit or Rankin Inlet?
• Are you looking for meaningful work where you can make an impact and difference?
• Do you want to be a member of the PHAC Northern team that achieves results?
• Do you enjoy working in a multidisciplinary team and collaborating with partners and stakeholders?
• Are you able to work independently and in a team environment virtually and in person?
• Do you have strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) and sound judgment?
• Do you enjoy working with a diverse team and environment?
• Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and cope well with the unexpected?

If you answered yes, continue reading to find additional information on these job opportunities and on how YOU can make a difference by joining the PHAC team to advance public health objectives, including COVID-19 response.

Work environment

WHO IS PHAC?

PHAC empowers Canadians to improve their health. In partnership with others, its activities focus on preventing disease and injuries, promoting good physical and mental health, and providing information to support informed decision-making. It values scientific excellence and provides national leadership in response to public health threats.

WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER PHAC FOR YOUR NEXT CAREER PATH?

PHAC provides its employees with an exceptional workplace environment, opportunities for professional development, training and continued learning throughout their careers, and flexible work schedules. You will have the opportunity to work in a fast-paced organization with an engaged and dynamic team. You will also receive allowances (+ IPA + VTA) in addition to your salary, as well as benefits (dental and health care) for you and your family, a pension plan and access to our Family and Employee Assistance Program.

The positions are in person and not virtual. You will be working independently and collaborating with colleagues across the country.

PHAC may reimburse relocation costs as per the Initial Appointees Relocation Program: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/travel-relocation/addendum-initial-appointees-relocation-program.html

WHICH CITY?

Whitehorse (Yukon)
• City of Whitehorse: https://www.whitehorse.ca/about-whitehorse
• Travel Yukon: https://www.travelyukon.com/en

Yellowknife (Northwest Territories)
• City of Yellowknife: https://www.yellowknife.ca/en/discovering-yellowknife/about-yellowknife.asp
• Spectacular Northwest Territories: https://spectacularnwt.com

Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet (Nunavut)
• City of Iqaluit: https://www.iqaluit.ca/
• Rankin Inlet: https://rankininlet.ca/
• Destination Nunavut: https://www.destinationnunavut.ca/home
• Travel Nunavut: https://travelnunavut.ca/

Intent of the process

The intent of this inventory is to create a pool of interested and/or qualified candidates for current and future national laboratory response requirements within the Territories. Applications will be accepted as long as this poster is active.

It is important for candidates to apply as soon as possible as the first review of candidate applications may occur as early as August 2, 2022.

Should a pool of candidates be created, it will only be used for positions located within communities across the Territories, and will not be used for other positions or locations outside of the three Territories.

For Nunavut positions: Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement who are found qualified in this staffing process will be appointed ahead of other qualified applicants.

For Yukon and Northwest Territories: Indigenous persons who are found qualified in this staffing process may be appointed ahead of other qualified applicants.
Positions to be filled: It is anticipated that three positions will be filled immediately; the total number is to be determined

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)

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION (Common to all positions):

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a biological science (Microbiology, Virology, Parasitology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Genetics, Molecular biology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biology or another related discipline);
OR
For multidisciplinary positions classified as BI, the minimum standard is:
Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.
Note: The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization.

Degree equivalency

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE (Common to all positions):
• Experience in planning, organizing, designing and delivery of scientific projects or programs
• Experience in the analysis or interpretation of experimental data
• Experience in coordinating or managing scientific projects or teams
• Experience in performing or examining methodologies in one or more of the following biological disciplines; microbiology (virology, bacteriology, mycology, parasitology), cell biology, immunology, molecular biology, structural biology, genomics, proteomics, or bioinformatics (depending on the needs of the position)

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

Various language requirements
English essential
Bilingual imperative (intermediate BBB, advanced CBC and CCC)
Fluency in an Indigenous language from Northern Canada may also be considered as an asset for some jobs.

Information on language requirements

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE (Common to all positions):
• Knowledge of theories, current principles, techniques and procedures used in one or more of the following areas, dependent on the needs of the position being staffed; microbiology (virology, bacteriology, mycology, parasitology), cell biology, immunology, molecular biology, structural biology, genomics, proteomics, or bioinformatics.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES (Common to all positions):
• Demonstrating integrity and respect
• Thinking things through
• Working effectively with others
• Showing initiative and being action-oriented
• Leadership
• Communication

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

Note: Candidates may be required to meet additional qualifications, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed. These additional qualifications may be deemed as either an Essential or Asset qualification. Candidates must indicate on their online applications which Education and Experience qualifications they meet using yes or no answers.
Only those candidates referred will be contacted. Further assessments will be conducted on additional criteria such as Knowledge, Experience, Abilities, and Competencies. Your résumé may be used as a secondary source of information.

EDUCATION
• Current active registration with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) as a general Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT), or documentation of equivalent standing in the relevant Territorial jurisdiction to support the duties of the position.
• Graduation with an MSc or PhD from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position(s)

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
• Experience working in the North, preferably in Nunavut, the Yukon or Northwest Territories
• Experience working in a public health laboratory setting

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
• Selection may be limited to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following groups: Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement, Indigenous, women, racialized people, and persons with disabilities

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Depending on the needs of the position one or more may be required:
• Must be available during core hours
• Willingness and ability to travel as required (depending on the position)
• Willingness and ability to occasionally work overtime and/or weekends as required
• Willingness and ability to assist, mobilize, or deploy to fulfill operational requirements including outbreak and emergency laboratory responses
• Willingness and ability to relocate to a position in another location or province/territory
• Willingness and ability to work with human and animal laboratory specimens
• Willingness and ability to work with infectious agents and toxic chemicals

Conditions of employment

Secret or Reliability security clearance (depending on the position)
Medical clearance (depending on the position)

Successful candidates must meet and maintain all terms and conditions of employment for the duration of their employment. The terms and conditions of employment and operational requirements may vary (other conditions or needs may be added or removed) according to the position being staffed.
• The incumbent and their dependents (includes incumbent’s spouse or common-law partner and children) may be required to obtain Health Canada medical clearance in accordance with the Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive
• Able and willing to travel
• Other conditions of employment, if applicable, may be required as per positions

Other information

The Public Health Agency of Canada is committed to increasing representation of Inuit and Indigenous Peoples, Black employees and other racialized groups, women and persons with disabilities. The Public Health Agency of 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, 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.

The Public Health Agency of 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
The Public Health Agency of Canada is 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.

Should your application be retained, you will be contacted for further assessment. The qualifications you will be assessed against will be communicated to you in advance.

We may be applying volume management strategies throughout the selection process such as, but not limited to, top-down approach, cut-off scores and/or random selection.

All information pertaining to the process will be sent by email. It is therefore your responsibility to verify your email account for new communication regarding this selection process on a regular basis.

All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the candidates.

Proof of citizenship (and education, if applicable) will be requested if you are considered for a position.

Casual employment is temporary employment of 90 working days or less, in a calendar year.

The preferred option to apply is online. However, applications will be accepted if they are sent by email directly. If you opt to send by email, please send directly to the contact person listed below and include your name and contact information and clearly quote the following selection process number in the email: (22-AHS-NMLB-EA-NCR-339546). Once submitted, an HR Advisor will be in touch with you to discuss your interest and subsequently send you an experience questionnaire.

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.