STREAM 1: Technical Safety Officer / STREAM 2: Senior Technical Safety Officer

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

Health Canada is committed to increasing representation of Black employees and other racialized groups, Indigenous People, women and persons with disabilities. Health 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, an 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.

Health 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
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency are 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.

CANDIDATES MUST APPLY ONLINE.
A video with instructions on how to apply can be found here: https://youtu.be/0GW7P3g9hhI

Candidates are not required to submit a cover letter. Instead, candidates will be asked to answer screening questions for each essential and asset criteria (education and experience) through the electronic application. In one or two paragraphs, candidates will have to provide at least two concrete examples for each screening question demonstrating how they have acquired the education and experience criteria. Please note that it is not sufficient to only state that the qualification is met or to provide a listing of current or past responsibilities. The answers to the questions may also be used to assess the ability to communicate effectively in writing.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
As this process may be used to fill multiple positions, additional qualifications (asset qualifications, operational requirements) may be used in the screening of candidates and/or to choose from among qualified candidates for specific positions. If you have any of those qualifications, please answer "yes" to the relevant question in your application and ensure you clearly demonstrate with specific and concrete examples how you meet the qualification.

Resumes will be used as a secondary source to validate your answers to the screening questions. Failure to clearly demonstrate in your answers how you meet the screening criteria may result in the rejection of your application.

Work environment

Mission Statement – The Office of Laboratory Safety (OLS) provides high-quality technical safety administration, advice, and guidance on hazardous materials lifecycle management in laboratories to support the delivery of Health Canada’s mandate.

Mandate – OLS performs legislative compliance oversight functions on departmental licenses to ensure the department is meeting its occupational health and safety obligations while performing laboratory-related activities with biological, radiological and chemical agents. In addition, OLS provides services in the form of data analysis, guidance, advice and training to laboratory personnel as well as the laboratory operations and infrastructure project teams in the real property groups.

Intent of the process

Anticipatory.

The intent of this selection process is to staff multiple positions.

A pool of qualified candidates may be established to staff future similar or lower-level positions with various language requirements (English Essential, Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB), various security clearances (Reliability and Secret) and various tenures (Indeterminate, Term, Assignment, Secondment, Deployment or Acting appointment) at full or part time hours within Health Canada.

Indeterminate employees at the same group and level or equivalent may be considered for deployment. If no deployment is made, other applicants will be considered in the advertised appointment process.

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 :
Both Streams (EG-05 and EG-06):
ED1 Graduation with a diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution (college or technical institute) in chemistry, radiochemistry, biochemistry, biology or in a field related to the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Stream 1 (EG-05):
EX1 Significant experience* working in a laboratory.
EX2 Experience providing or assisting with the provision of training.
EX3 Experience performing or participating in audits or inspections of laboratories as required under federal legislation.
EX4 Experience providing information, expert advice and recommendations to laboratory personnel.
EX5 Experience preparing reports.

* Significant experience is defined as the experience associated with having performed a broad range of related activities, which could normally be acquired over a period of approximately two (2) years.

Stream 2 (EG-06):
EX1 Significant experience* working in a laboratory.
EX2 Experience leading a team in the development of training programs including preparation and coordination of presentation material.
EX3 Experience leading audits or inspections of laboratories as required under federal legislation.
EX4 Experience interpreting and providing technical safety advice or guidance on operationalizing safety policies and regulations.
EX5 Experience leading a team in the development of reports and Standard Operating Procedures.

* Significant experience is defined as the experience associated with having performed a broad range of related activities, which could normally be acquired over a period of approximately three (3) years.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

EDUCATION:
Both Streams (EG-05 and EG-06):
AED1 Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in chemistry, radiochemistry, biochemistry, biology or in a field related to the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
Stream 1 (EG-05):
AEX1 Experience working in a Biosafety Program.
AEX2 Experience working in a Radiation Safety Program.
AEX3 Experience working in a Chemical Safety Program.

Stream 2 (EG-06):
AEX1 Experience leading a Biosafety Program.
AEX2 Experience leading a Radiation Safety Program.
AEX3 Experience leading a Chemical Safety Program.

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:
Both Streams (EG-05 and EG-06):
K1 Knowledge of the mandate, structure and scientific programs of Health Canada.
K2 Knowledge of occupational health and safety in laboratory settings.
K3 Knowledge of at least 1 of the 3 following Acts and regulations:
a) the Canada Labour Code; Part 2, and the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations,
or;
b) the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act and Regulations or;
c) the Nuclear Safety Control Act and Regulations.
K4 Knowledge of Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations.
K5 Knowledge of hazardous waste disposal practices.

ABILITIES:
Both Streams (EG-05 and EG-06):
A1 Ability to communicate effectively in writing
A2 Ability to communicate effectively orally

Stream 1 (EG-05):
A3 Ability to identify safety requirements for hazardous substances
A4 Ability to assist and participate in inspections
A5 Ability to work independently

Stream 2 (EG-06):
A3 Ability to apply safety requirements into laboratory procedures
A4 Ability to lead an inspection
A5 Ability to lead project teams

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
Both Streams (EG-05 and EG-06):
PS1 Analytical Thinking
PS2 Judgment
PS3 Respectful of diversity

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance.
Willingness and ability to travel on occasion as required.
Willingness and ability to don personal protective equipment in laboratory spaces.

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

Original proof of your education will be requested and must be provided during the selection process, in order to verify that candidates meet the education requirement. Candidates who are unable to provide proof that they meet this essential qualification as requested may be eliminated from the process. Also note, if the name on your education credentials does not match the name on your current photo identification, you will need to provide proof of your name change.

Education obtained outside of Canada must be evaluated. Please contact The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials as soon as possible to initiate the evaluation process http://www.cicic.ca/

A written examination may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.

Your answers must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements.

Experience qualifications will be assessed upon application. Further confirmation or assessment may be conducted through reference checks.

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed. Meeting one or many of the asset qualifications may be a deciding factor in appointing a particular candidate amongst the qualified candidates. Please note that some or all of the asset qualifications could be used at the screening phase.

You must answer the question regarding which Stream(s) you are applying to. Failure to indicate that you are applying to a given stream may result in you being eliminated from that stream.

An assignment/secondment or an acting appointment is a temporary resourcing option. The approval of your substantive supervisor will be required before an offer can be made.

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process is completed.

Please note that in addition to all assessment methods such as the application, exam, interview, correspondence and communication in relation to this selection process may also be used to assess certain qualifications.

Random selection may be used to identify which applicants will be assessed or appointed in this appointment process.

Top-down selection may apply.

If a qualified candidate has been selected and appointed on an indeterminate basis from the established pool, they will be removed from the pool. If a candidate is selected for a specified period (including term, acting, or assignment/secondment) appointment, they will remain in the pool for future offers.

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

CANDIDATES WILL NOT BE SOLICITED FOR INCOMPLETE OR POSSIBLY MISSING INFORMATION.

Any information provided by a candidate through their application or assessment that is deemed to be incorrect or fraudulent will be eliminated from further consideration.

Candidates are advised that their exam or interview will only be rescheduled under these exceptional circumstances:

- Medical reason with certificate
- Pre-arranged travel with proof
- Pre-scheduled training with proof
- Pre-arranged exam/interview for another Government of Canada staffing process with proof
- Pre-approved vacation with proof
- Death in the family
- Other exceptional reasons deemed acceptable by the Selection Board

Candidates must meet the conditions of employment and continue to meet these same conditions during their employment.

All candidates that apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid email address and ensure that this address is functional at all times and that it accepts messages from unknown users. Failure to do so may result in important messages not being received.

Communication for this process will be conducted via the e-mail address provided in your application. It is your responsibility to ensure that you check for messages regularly.

If you required technical support to apply for this position, please contact jobs.gc.ca at: http://www.cfp-psc.gc.ca/contact-jobs/index-eng.php

Please note that candidates are responsible for submitting their application by the closing date in order to be considered. No applications will be accepted once the deadline has passed.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: The PSRS system will time out after 60 minutes of inactivity which may result in your inability to save your work or loss of data. It is recommended that you draft ALL RESPONSES in another document on your PC which may be saved (e.g. in MS Word or WordPerfect) and copy/paste into the PSRS system when completed. HEALTH CANADA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SYSTEM PROBLEMS WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF DATA AND/OR INCOMPLETE OR NON SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE THROUGH THE PSRS SYSTEM. Do not e-mail, fax, or mail in hard copy documents.

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.