Field Equipment 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

Work environment

Are you looking for a fast-paced, challenging, and unique work environment? Well, look no further!

Created in 1958, the Polar Continental Shelf Program (PCSP) is an organization within NRCan that provides logistical support to the Other Government Departments and over 1,100 Canadian Arctic researchers annually. The overall mission of the PCSP is to provide safe, efficient and cost-effective logistical support to researchers from Canadian government agencies, northern communities, and independent and university groups conducting scientific activities in isolated areas throughout the Canadian Arctic.

Working as a Field Equipment Officer for the PCSP is not your typical 9 to 5 job. There are currently two distinct work environments you will encounter in this position: Headquarters, which is located at 2464 Sheffield Road in Ottawa, Ontario and the Arctic Logistics hub in Resolute Bay, Nunavut.

Resolute Bay:
January to April marks the start of the field season at the Resolute Bay facility. While there, you will be working alongside the Arctic Logistics Operations team. Daily operations include loading aircraft for client projects, joint ventures with the Canadian Armed Forces Arctic Training Centre (CAFATC) and fuel caching activities. Snow removal during this period is another regular task which includes clearing snow drifts and keeping the apron free of obstructions.

During the warmer period of May to September, client activities are increased, which means flights to remote locations are occurring daily. Operations in the form of field equipment issuance and servicing will come into play, as well as the building of various crates for scrap metal removal and client returns on the retrograde sealift. All forms of goods and supplies are being shipped back and forth on the annual sealift.

Throughout the year, weekly team meetings are held virtually to connect the staff in Resolute Bay and Ottawa to review operations, identify and address key priorities

Ottawa:
From January to September, staff are hard at work preparing client requests and completing maintenance and repairs on a variety of field equipment. Packaging and manifesting become the key operational priority for several months, as staff prepare the northbound sealift shipment.

Between October and December, the retrograde sealift arrives back in Ottawa and the staff jump into high gear to get everything received, processed, and prepared for next season’s field equipment requests.

Rotations to Resolute Bay can vary from 3 to 6 weeks in length depending on operational requirements. When working in Resolute Bay you will be working 7 days per week, 10 hours per day, accumulating overtime hours. Each rotation is followed by time off, using some of the accumulated overtime hours so you do not miss a pay. Any excess overtime hours can be taken as additional time off (based on operational requirements) or cashed out as additional pay.

Intent of the process

The intent of this selection process is to staff two (2) permanent positions.

A pool of (fully or partially) qualified candidates may be established through this process to staff identical or similar positions at Natural Resources Canada with various tenures (determinate period or indeterminate), various linguistic requirements, various security requirements, various conditions of employment and for various locations.

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
A secondary school diploma or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience
• Experience using computerized inventory systems.
• Experience in warehousing, storage and control of materiel.
• Experience in the operation of materiel handling equipment, such as powered forklifts, pallet trucks, and delivery vehicles.

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

Experience
• * Recent experience operating heavy equipment such as a front-end loader or skid-steer loader.
• * Recent experience working in a materiel distribution warehouse.
• Experience in completing small engine repair.
(* “Recent experience” is defined as experience acquired within the last five (5) years.)

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

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

Knowledge
• Knowledge of issuing, and inventory control of materiel.
• Knowledge of warehouse safety.
• Knowledge of Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).

Abilities
• Ability to communicate effectively orally.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to solve problems.

Personal Suitability
• Effective interpersonal relationships.
• Dependability.
• Initiative.
• Flexibility.

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

Occupational Certification
• Possession of a current Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) certificate.
• Possession of a valid Forklift Operator certificate.

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 and able to work in isolated High Arctic locations for extended periods of time.
• Willing and able to travel to various locations in the Arctic on a regular basis.
• Willing and able to work during periods of intense and high-pressure activity.
• Willing and able to work long hours and overtime, including work on weekends.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s licence.
• Obtain and maintain a valid Firearms Licence (Possession and Acquisition Licence).
• Willing to undergo, and pass, a pre-employment medical suitability assessment for working in an isolated location.
• Willing and able to carry and operate a firearm in the context of self-defence against wildlife.
• Willing and able to lift 25 kg (55 lbs.).
• Willing and able to work at heights (maximum height of 10 m or 33 ft).
• Willing and able to use personal protective equipment.

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

Still not certain you want to apply? Check out all these benefits:
• All travel costs from your home to the Arctic will be arranged and covered by the PCSP.
• You will receive a payment for incidentals while working in Resolute Bay of $17.30 per day for the first 30 days and $13.00 per days afterwards.
• While working in Resolute Bay, you will be staying at our facility at no additional cost. At the facility you will have your own room with satellite TV, access to lounges, a library, a laundry room and a fitness room, and be fed by our amazing cooks.
• Flexible working hours (dependant upon operational requirements).
• The Government of Canada has a great heath care, dental, and pension plan.
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.

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 exam may be administered.
An interview may be conducted.
A reference may be sought.

Candidates must include a valid email address in their application. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that this address is functional and that it accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). It is also the candidate’s responsibility to ensure accurate information is provided and updated as required.

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.