Freshwater Fish Habitat Scientist *Amendment to Closing Date*

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

Suspension of vaccination requirement:

Effective June 20, 2022 the vaccination requirement for the Core Public Administration (CPA), including the RCMP, will be suspended. As of that date, employees of the CPA will no longer be required to be vaccinated as a condition of employment.

Duties

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is planning to hire a Scientific Researcher focused on freshwater fish habitat science to support Departmental program needs. This research scientist would join an existing complement of DFO scientists engaged in freshwater fish habitat science and would be expected to develop diverse research programs (e.g. experimental, observational, modelling) aligned to DFO’s mandate for the protection of fish and fish habitat in Canada’s freshwaters.

A primary role for this position is to conduct research and provide science advice related to regulatory decision-making and policy development to support management programs (e.g. related to the protection of fish and fish habitat).

The position includes the following key activities:
• Providing expert scientific advice and recommendations within subject-matter area (e.g. advice on the impacts of or offsetting for development projects on fish and fish habitat, advice on standards and guidelines related to the protection and monitoring of fish and fish habitat, advice on science-based tools for regulatory decision-making).
• Developing an active research program related to freshwater fish habitat science aligned with the Department’s mandate and program needs.
• Developing modified or novel approaches, theories, concepts, ideas or solutions and applying them to the design, implementation and/or evaluation of scientific research projects.
• Applying comprehensive or in-depth knowledge of concepts, theories and research methods appropriate to relevant scientific fields and subject matter areas.
• Writing, reviewing and publishing scientific papers, reports, manuscripts, and authoritative reviews.
• Leading, and/or participating in science advisory processes to transfer science advice to internal and external management clients.
• Managing assigned human, financial and material resources.
• Developing proposals for funding and cost recovery arrangements, negotiating collaborations, and acting as scientific authority for approved professional service contracts.

Intent of the process

The intent is to a staff one position in Dartmouth (NS). A pool will also be established and may be used for additional opportunities that may arise.

Positions to be filled: 1

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 with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field of the natural sciences related to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
• Experience in planning and conducting research in aquatic ecosystems.
• Experience in authoring scientific publications as a first author in peer reviewed journals.
• Experience in presenting research findings at scientific workshops, conferences or meetings.
• Experience in the application of experimental design.
• Experience using statistical or mathematical techniques to analyze data.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KEY LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:
• Create vision and strategy
• Mobilize People
• Uphold Integrity and Respect
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
• Promote innovation and guide change
• Achieve Results

ABILITIES:
• Ability to communicate effectively orally to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to provide science-based advice to management.

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

Depending on the position to be staffed, any of the following qualifications may also be deemed as an essential qualification and only candidates and persons with a priority entitlement who possess those qualifications will be considered for that specific vacancy. A candidate may be appointed to a position even though he/she does not meet any or all of the asset qualifications or operational requirements. However, meeting these criteria is desirable and may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed.

• Experience developing and providing science-based advice to scientists, managers, or stakeholders.
• Experience leading scientific teams, including project management and the supervision of support personnel.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary professionals including academics, non-governmental organizations or industry on scientific research projects.
• Experience leading the planning and delivery of field or laboratory research programs including obtaining funding and managing resources.
• Experience working with Indigenous groups.
• Experience conducting scientific risk assessments with ecological or environmental protection objectives.
• Experience in statistical analysis of quantitative ecological data relevant to fish populations, aquatic ecosystems or biotic and abiotic habitat.
• Experience studying how human activities and environmental stressors affect: the function of habitat; the health and survival of fish and fish populations; and/or the productivity of fish communities and aquatic ecosystems.
• Experience studying the impacts of human activities on the freshwater or marine environment.
• Experience in restoration ecology focusing on aquatic environments.
• Knowledge of the theory and principles of the ecology, food-web functions, life history, and habitat requirements of freshwater fishes.
• Experience in analysis of spatial data.
• Experience with advanced remote or electronic data collection and analysis technologies (e.g. telemetry, data storage tags, remote sensors).
• Experience in advanced quantitative methodologies (e.g. multivariate statistics, meta-analysis, Bayesian statistics, ecological or population modelling).
• Experience in the application of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) or Indigenous Knowledge (IK) to research about freshwater fisheries ecology.
• Experience in the design of monitoring programs or development of indicators to understand change in aquatic ecosystems.

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

Information on employment equity

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Willing to travel.
• Willing to modify work hours to fit the program schedule or requirements.
• Willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions and in isolated terrain.
• Valid Drivers License.
• Willing to work for extended periods of time at remote locations and travel in helicopters, small planes and boats.
• Willing to work for extended periods of time aboard research vessels and platforms of different sizes.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

• Medical suitability as required by 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

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.