Senior technical writer/editor (Rail and Pipeline Investigations Branch)

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

The TSB was created as an independent agency due to the importance of impartiality in the conduct of investigations. It is fundamental to the achievement of the TSB’s mandate for employees to be free from real, apparent or potential conflicts of interest in the conduct of day to day operations. As such, and in accordance with the TSB Code of Values and Ethics, the successful candidate in this selection process cannot directly own an interest (shares or other) in a company involved in the air, marine, rail, or pipeline industry. Other personal activities relating to these industries may also represent a conflict of interest. Should you have concerns in regard to your candidacy and any real, apparent or potential conflicts of interest, you are strongly encouraged to raise them as early in the process as possible. For additional information on the TSB's Code of Values and Ethics, please visit the website at: http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/index.asp

Duties

Provide guidance and direct assistance to TSB investigative staff and management in the drafting and editing of TSB investigation reports related to rail and pipeline occurrences to ensure accuracy, a logical flow of information, consistency of style, and clarity of presentation. Requires the application of specialized writing and editing skills to synthesize complex, highly technical occurrence information into a high-quality occurrence report that must withstand the scrutiny of industry stakeholders, witnesses, legal representatives, and the public.

Provide technical writing and editing support services on a wide range of technical and non-technical documents from a style, content, format, and linguistic perspective, and provide specialist advice and guidance to investigative staff to ensure compliance with TSB communication standards, guidelines, and approval protocol.

Provide tactful feedback to content authors when reviewing and providing explanations and changes in their documents, and maintain a high standard of accuracy, confidentiality, discretion, and professionalism.

Participate in quality reviews of branch investigation reports and other safety communication products to ensure that factual information and analysis is best presented and that findings are clear and concise.

Participate in the development and implementation of report writing standards, processes, work instructions, and quality control mechanisms with TSB specialists and subject matter experts from other transportation modes and other branches to ensure consistency and standardized writing style and messaging; seek ways to improve the efficiency of the production processes.

Conduct terminology research as needed.

Work environment

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is part of the core public service administration named in Schedule IV of the Financial Administration Act (FAA) and is also subject to the PSEA. This being said the TSB is an independent arm's length agency that reports to Parliament through the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada. The organization aspires to be a modern world-class organization that evolves and adapts as it strives to influence changes that advance transportation safety. The TSB has a strong and credible reputation in Canada and around the world.

The TSB is a small organization with approximately 220 employees and 5 Board Members, including the Chair. The organization operates in a decentralized manner through 10 locations across Canada. Employees work in a collegial and collaborative environment.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to establish a pool of partially assessed candidates. Similar positions may be staffed through this process with various tenures, language profiles and/or requirements, location, and security requirements. Please note that the assessment tools and results of this pool will not be available to other departments until six months following the initial appointment.

The TSB offers a hybrid working environment where employees work a minimum of two days a week in the office and can telework for the other three days. The successful candidate will be required to work from one of the Rail and Pipeline investigation branch’s regional offices (Dartmouth, Dorval, Gatineau, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Vancouver).

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)

A degree from a recognized University.
Notes:
1. Based on their education, training and/or experience, indeterminate incumbents of positions in the IS classification are deemed to meet the minimum education standard whenever a bachelor’s degree without specialization is called for in a position classified as IS.
2. At the manager’s discretion, an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience, may serve as an alternative to the minimum education standard.

Degree equivalency

Significant* experience writing and/or editing materials, preferably of a scientific or technical nature, aimed at specialist or general readers

Experience providing writing and editing advice to authors and/or managers

*Significant experience refers to an acceptable combination of breadth, depth, complexity of tasks that can normally be acquired in 3 years of work in the field.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (PPC/CCC)

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of writing tools and references, including Government of Canada standards and tools

Knowledge of best practices in professional editing

Knowledge of the mandate of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada

Ability to provide writing and editing advice to authors and/or managers.

Ability to work under pressure, set priorities, and meet deadlines

Ability to communicate effectively in writing

Ability to communicate effectively orally

Attention to detail
Reliable
Initiative
Effective interpersonal skills
Good judgement

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

Experience editing, technical writing or writing in one or more of the following fields:
• aviation
• marine transportation
• pipelines
• railways

Experience in translation.

Experience in comparative editing.

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

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Requirement to report to work off-hours in crises and to work overtime on short notice.

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.