Forensic Specialist, Drug Recognition Expert - Support Scientist

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

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Duties

Selects evidence submitted by police, legal counselors and other sources; gathers the most appropriate specimens for examination or analysis to derive the greatest possible information for the requesting party or parties; and selects, modifies or develops techniques pertaining to a comprehensive discipline(s) to yield the optimum analytical information and applies them to the exhibit material received taking into consideration sample size, time constraints and priorities.

Provides expert witness testimony and opinion evidence in courts of law; and explains and defends conclusions.

Interprets analytical results based on scientific principles, formulates expert conclusions stating the forensic significance of the results, confers with the contributing agencies and the requestor (e.g.: police or counselor) regarding the significance of the conclusions to an investigation or criminal charge and prepares written reports.

Identifies and analyzes material of probative value; and determines the physical evidence analysis requirements and the proper sequence of examination.

Trains internal and external clients; and develops and delivers lesson plans and other training tools.

Carries out quality control activities as specified for the forensic analyses conducted; and prioritizes the undertaking of cases by considering the seriousness of the circumstances, commitments etc.

Conducts research and development projects related, for example, to forensic science to expand forensic investigative techniques; keeps current with the advances in one or more forensic science specialties through scientific literature, conferences and seminars.

Assists and provides expert advice to police personnel regarding the gathering of the most probative specimens for examination or analysis so that the process will derive the greatest forensic value possible.

Provides scientific and technical support to the DECP (Drug Evaluation and Classification Program), including assisting with DECP training course, compiling scientific literature and other data relevant to the DECP, participating in advisory panels and providing expert witness testimony.

Work environment

There is lack of control over the pace of work and there is no tolerance for error during a criminal investigation process which can lead to stress.

The work involves a constant need to balance priority demands with frequent interruptions. These conditions which are present on a daily basis can result in mild to moderate levels of stress.

Psychological and emotional effort is required to remain composed and professional when providing expert witness testimony.

The work involves exposure to disagreeable or unpleasant crime scene environments and/or unpleasant materials such as graphic descriptions of major case investigations and crime scene photos.

There is exposure in the laboratory to solvents, chemicals and to biological materials such as blood and flesh samples which can lead to exposure to disease and there is occasional requirement to wear protective clothing or equipment.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff one position on an indeterminate basis, with a linguistic profile of English Essential and an RCMP Enhanced Reliability security clearance.

A pool of candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions within the RCMP in the National Capital Region on an indeterminate or specified period (including term, acting, or assignment) basis, with various linguistic profiles and various RCMP security clearances.

Should a Civilian Member (CM) be found qualified and selected for appointment, the appointment will not result in a change of status to the Public Service (PS) category for the CM

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 a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Successful completion of graduate or undergraduate course work covering the following subject areas: chemistry, organic chemistry, physiology and pharmacology/toxicology courses is required.

NOTE: Transcript of your courses will be required to validate courses taken.

Degree equivalency

Certification:
Successful completion of a Toxicology Program training program for Drug Forensic Specialist* in an ISO17025 accredited forensic laboratory.

* qualified to direct drug analyses on biological samples, interpret the analytical results, and issue reports.

Experience:
Experience* as a Drug Forensic Specialist in an ISO17025 accredited forensic laboratory.

Experience preparing expert witness reports for drug-impaired driving cases.

*Experience is defined as the breadth, depth, and complexity of experience normally associated with full time performance of tasks within the past two (2) years.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge of the scientific principles and practices of forensic toxicology (i.e. analytical methods used to detect/quantify drugs in biological samples, interpretation of drugs in biological samples, etc.).

Knowledge of Canadian laws and regulations with respect to impaired driving offences including standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs) and the DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) evaluation(s).

Knowledge of the scientific literature regarding drug impaired driving.

Abilities/Skills:
Ability to communicate effectively and clearly orally
Ability to communicate effectively and clearly in writing
Ability to analyze problems/situations and recommend appropriate solutions
Ability to plan and organize

Personal Suitability:
Integrity
Dependability
Effective interpersonal relationships
Attention to detail

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

Experience:
Experience testifying in courts of law as an expert on the subject of drug-impaired driving
Experience training others
Experience with JusticeTrax LIMS-plus or similar Laboratory Information Management Software
Experience planning and conducting research projects

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
(may change during the candidate’s term in section)

Willingness and ability to work in a police environment, including exposure to unsettling and/or graphic material, on a daily basis.
Willingness and ability to work shifts and overtime.
Maintain standing and/or sitting positions for extended periods of time.
Work in cold rooms for limited periods in order to retrieve samples.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - RCMP Enhanced Reliability Status

All applicants for positions within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will be subject to a thorough security clearance process which includes an interview wherein questions may include (but not limited to), reference checks, previous employment, on-line activities, credit checks, alcohol and/or drug use."

Willingness and ability to travel for work related assignments.
Willingness and ability to complete the mandatory in-house training program if required.
Must have a valid driver’s license
Must be willing and able to testify in a court of law anywhere in Canada.
Willingness and ability to work with and be exposed to hazardous chemicals, equipment and biological samples.

Medical Profile: The candidate must obtain and maintain a valid medical clearance

Note: Candidates must meet the applicable Conditions of Employment at the time of appointment and must continue to meet these during the period of appointment.

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

Candidates must meet all essential qualifications to be appointed to a position. This will be determined through the use of various evaluation tools.

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

You must provide proof of education credentials. If you obtained your degree outside Canada, it is your responsibility to demonstrate its equivalence, please take a look at the following link for more information: https://www.cicic.ca

Indeterminate employees at the same group and level, or equivalent may be considered for deployment, assignment/secondment prior to the assessment of other applicants.

Please identify clearly your substantive group and level and your employment status on your resume and/or application form.

Our means of communication with applicants is via e-mail. Please ensure to include a functional e-mail address, which will accept messages from unknown users (some e-mail systems block these types of e-mails). It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

HOW TO APPLY:
You will be required to answer screening questions to demonstrate how you meet the Essential Qualifications (Education and all Essential Experiences).

When answering the screening questions, it is not sufficient to say that you have the required qualifications or to list your current or past responsibilities. Rather, you must provide concrete examples of tasks you have accomplished with significant details to explain the WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and HOW you acquired each qualification.

For each experience criteria, please provide the following information:

1- Name of the department or organization where the experience was acquired;
2- Title of the position occupied, group and level and the period(s) in which you performed the functions (M-Y to M-Y);
3- Specific details of tasks or projects demonstrating how the experience was acquired (Situation/Challenge, Tasks, Action and Result).

Should your responses to the screening questions contain insufficient details to demonstrate that you meet the screening criteria, your application will not be given further consideration in this process. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information.

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.