Research Technicians & Trainees

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

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.

📢 How does this work?

✅ Step 1: Read the entire advertisement. Want to join our team? Let us know you’re interested! Click “Apply Online”
✅ Step 2: Tell us about yourself! Attach your resume and answer the screening questions in the online application.
• Please provide complete and thorough details of your education and experience;
• Do not assume that the screening board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history. You must be specific and provide concrete examples/details for each experience element, as applications will be screened only on the information provided;
• Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being screened out of the process.
✅ Step 3: We will carefully review all of your qualifications. If your talent matches one of our immediate or upcoming opportunities we may contact you for further information or assessment.

Creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued begins with self-declaration. Count yourself in and self-declare by identifying to which employment equity group(s) you belong. In order to self-declare, please ensure to indicate this by checking off the appropriate box within the online application as part of the Employment Equity section.

Work environment

The Department of National Defence (DND) is one of the largest federal government employers, offering over 70 types of civilian career opportunities. DND’s role is to provide services and support to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in their operations and missions at home and abroad. The civilian workforce is an essential part of the Defence Team. Your knowledge and expertise contribute to the overall mission. In this regard, the department fosters a work environment where you have opportunities to learn, to develop your talents, to progress in your career and have job satisfaction over the long-term.

Intent of the process

There is an immediate need to fill 2 vacancies in Suffield, Alberta:
Position 1: Electromagnetics Technologist
Position 2: Explosion Science Technologist

▶ You may apply to one or both position titles in this selection process. Each has a unique set of experience factors you must meet to be considered.
▶ Breadth and depth of experience will be used in combination with asset criteria to determine which level you will be considered for (EG-03, EG-04 or EG-05).
▶ A physical evaluation will be required for this selection process in person, in Suffield, Alberta.

This process may also be used to staff future vacancies with various employment tenures, language profiles, security requirements, and conditions of employment within the Department of National Defence.

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 with a technical diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in Instrumentation, Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering Technology, or an acceptable combination of education, training or experience.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
Electromagnetics Technologist (EG-03, EG-04):
▶ Experience working in one or more of the following areas:
Instrumentation, Electrical Engineering, Radiofrequency transmission & receiving or other areas relevant to the duties of the position
▶ Experience in computer programing with procedural or object-oriented language such as C, Fortran, Python, Java, etc.

Explosion Science Technologist (EG-04, EG-05)
▶ Experience using electronic test and measurement equipment
▶ Experience in designing, fabricating, and developing prototypes or equivalent (e.g. demonstrated by hands-on skills in using tools for construction, woodworking, or metal working)

COMPETENCIES:
▶ Demonstrating integrity and respect
▶ Thinking things through
▶ Working effectively with others
▶ Showing initiative and being action-oriented
▶ Flexibility / Adaptability
▶ Communication

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

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

⭐ An asset may be invoked as essential at any point during this selection process ⭐

Electromagnetics Technologist (EG-03, EG-04):
▶ Experience planning and conducting tests or measurements
▶ Experience in data analysis including collecting, recording and reporting data.
▶ Experience designing, building or assembling mechanical equipment (e.g. hands-on skills in woodworking, metal working, vehicle repair, machining, or equivalent).
▶ Experience with the use of electronic test and measurement equipment.

Explosion Science Technologist (EG-04, EG-05):
▶ Experience reducing and reporting technical data
▶ Experience planning and conducting tests, research trials or field measurements.
▶ Experience troubleshooting, repairing, or calibrating instrumentation or machinery.
▶ Experience conducting explosion dynamics research on energetic materials and blast effects.
▶ Experience managing and maintaining laboratory and testing facilities.
▶ Experience using scientific/experimental test methods
▶ Experience using gauges/sensors, signal conditioning and digital acquisition and recording.
▶ Experience using software for data analysis and plotting scientific data.
▶ Experience using technical drawing software such as CAD.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
▶ Willingness and ability to work in an outdoor field environment, including in adverse conditions.
▶ Willingness and ability to work overtime, when required.
▶ Willingness and ability to obtain and retain a valid Class 5 Driver’s license.
▶ Willingness and ability to obtain and retain a DND404 (Military driver’s license).
▶ Willingness and ability to travel for business purposes possibly in excess of one week at a time.

Specific to the Electromagnetics Technologist position:
▶ Willingness to work with hazardous chemicals, explosive materials and electromagnetic radiation.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS:
The Department of National Defence is committed to providing an environment where justice, fairness and the elimination of barriers helps build a skilled, diverse and representative workforce reflective of Canada. We welcome diversity in all its forms, promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply. Please note that preference for hiring will first be given to candidates who are members of the above mentioned designated groups.

DND is committed to Employment Equity (EE). In order to achieve a representative workforce, selection may be based on qualified candidates self-declaring as belonging to one the following EE groups: Aboriginal peoples, Women, Members of visible minorities and Persons with disabilities. We encourage you to indicate if you belong to the designated group by completing the EE section in your application.

↪ In support of Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE) initiative #24, consideration may be given to the spouses or common-law partners of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members.

As a result of the reduction of training activities at British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS), the Department of National Defence is committed to providing access to other work opportunities for BATUS employees. Employees of UIC 7777 – BATUS may be appointed or deployed to positions for which they are qualified ahead of other candidates.

Conditions of employment

▶ Reliability Status or Secret Security Clearance
▶ Ability to precisely align, calibrate, operate and carry scientific equipment and materials up to 30kg

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

If there are limitations or special circumstances preventing you from submitting your application via the PSRS online portal, you must contact us by email and receive approval to apply via an alternate means PRIOR to the closing date.

▶ Depending on the position being staffed:
↪ Additional qualifications, operational requirements and/or conditions of employment may be required
↪ Varying degrees of breadth and depth of experience may be deemed essential
↪ Asset qualifications may be invoked as essential qualifications
↪ You may be contacted and asked to submit information or be further assessed

▶ Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

▶ A variety of assessment tools may be used. This may include application screening, interviews, written assessments, reference checks, board knowledge, interactions with internal staff during the process, etc.
↪ Please note that your overall conduct and communications, including email correspondence, throughout the entire process may be used in the assessment of qualifications and competencies.

▶ Top down selection may be used during any stage of the selection process.
↪ Please note that achieving the pass mark on any of the assessments used does not mean you will move forward in the selection process. Management may decide to use a score that is higher than the pass mark on any of the evaluations used throughout the selection process. Management may also decide to use top-down selection at any stage of the process.

▶ Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
↪ Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team;
↪ Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed;
↪ Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience;
↪ Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications;
↪ Organizational Needs.

▶ All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the applicants.
▶ Our organization will only accept on-line applications for this opportunity. Please click “Apply online” to submit your application. Should you have a disability or an exceptional circumstance that requires an alternative application method, please contact us for guidance.
▶ Applicants who apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid email address and make sure that this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users.

▶ The term “Aboriginal” is used within this job advertisement as it relates to the Employment Equity Act and other legislative frameworks. The term “Indigenous” is used where possible, in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

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.