Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Science Branch
Winnipeg (Manitoba)
EG-05
$69,630 to $88,105 (Salary under review)
For further information on the organization, please visit Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Closing date: 22 December 2023 - 23:59, Pacific Time
Who can apply: Persons residing in Canada.
Apply online
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.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is a separate employer and is not subject to the Public Service Employment Act.
The CFIA considers applications from individuals who have legal status to work in Canada and does not give preference to Canadian citizens.
We will only accept applications received through the GC Jobs website, therefore you must submit your application by clicking on “Apply online” in this advertisement. Persons who are unable to apply online must use the “Contact information” below, prior to the closing date, to request specialized accommodation.
Reporting to the Unit Head or Supervisor:
Plans, prioritizes and designs experiments in consultation with specialists and/or scientists.
Takes the lead role as a senior analyst in analyzing complex samples and specimens of a routine or non-routine nature, oversees result verification and may authorize results of routine testing.
Evaluates, reviews and interprets analytical data and test results based on procedures that may still be in development and reports results to Supervisor or Manager.
Develops/validates methodologies and procedures, and transfers knowledge and diagnostic tests to other CFIA, private or public laboratories following general guidelines and direction.
Operates and maintains specialized and novel laboratory and/or field instruments and equipment to verify the calibration and to optimize the performance of instrumentation.
Troubleshoots, investigates and solves complex performance issues with equipment and/or instrumentation for diagnostic and method improvement activities and, if required, communicates with an external specialized technician to ensure repair.
Participates in special studies with national and international organizations for the evaluation of standardized methods.
Maintains comprehensive records of samples, observations, measurements, tests conducted and processes followed, writes standard operating procedures (SOPs) and project reports, and performs internal audits according to the Quality Assurance (QA) system of the laboratory.
We offer a bilingual, science-based environment, with excellent benefits, flexible hours, opportunities for advancement, an emphasis on learning and development, and a high level of employee satisfaction. Join a workforce that’s as diverse as the people it serves. You can find some more great reasons to join us on our website: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/cfia-jobs/top-10-reasons-to-join-us/eng/1299859095075/1299859142835
The intent is to have an inventory of candidates to select from as vacancies arise for current and future needs at the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease laboratory in Winnipeg, MB.
Employees may be required to work on site at the laboratory location; however, remote work may be a possibility depending on the needs of the position.
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis as long as the poster is active.
Positions to be filled: Number to be determined
Your résumé.
A covering letter "A covering letter in 1,000 words (maximum). Although there is no specific format required for the cover letter, it can be used to highlight your qualifications and your professional goals. Essential education and experience required will be evaluated through the screening questions. Your entire application, including the cover letter, will be used to evaluate your written communication ability."
Contact information for 2 references.
You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.
ESSENTIAL EDUCATION
EEd1- Graduation with a degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in biology, microbiology, molecular biology, virology, immunology, genomics, bioinformatics, biotechnology, genetics, pathology, animal science, or other specialty relevant to the position.
Applicants submitting education credentials from a non-Canadian institution are responsible for obtaining certification that these credentials are the equivalent of the Canadian education level required for the position.
Please refer to the link below for more information.
Degree equivalency
ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE
EE1 - Recent* experience leading, developing, and executing complex projects or assays for diagnostic or research activities in a laboratory environment.
EE2 - Recent* experience in applying scientific methods to detect and identify pathogens from various sample types.
EE3 - Recent* experience in writing documents such as standard operating procedures, project reports, method improvements, evaluations or validation reports.
EE4 - Recent* experience in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting complex performance issues with laboratory equipment.
- Recent experience is defined as experience normally acquired within the last five (5) years. Experience gained through programs such as course work and co-op terms will be accepted.
ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES
EC1 - Written Communication
ASSET EXPERIENCE
AEx1 - Experience working within a formal laboratory quality management system.
AEx2 - Experience performing molecular biology techniques such as nucleic acid isolation, PCR, sequencing, cloning, etc.
AEx3 - Experience performing immunology or serology techniques such as ELISA, hemagglutination inhibition, etc.
AEx4 - Experience in cell culture, histology, pathology, or microscopy techniques.
AEx5 - Experience in high-throughput sequencing and genomics technologies.
AEx6 - Experience in handling, isolating, propagating, and characterizing infectious agents or laboratory specimens from humans or animals.
AEx7 - Experience performing method validation or verification activities, including the application of statistical theories or principles relevant to the data analysis and interpretation of results.
AEx8 - Experience working under Containment Level (CL) 3 or CL4 conditions.
AEx9 - Experience in developing laboratory methodologies, transferring knowledge, and delivering technical training to other lab staff.
AEx10 - Experience working on national or international training and partnership projects (partners such as World Organization for Animal Health, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Global Affairs Canada, Canadian Network for Public Health Intelligence, etc).
English essential
Additional assessment tools may be used to assess language proficiency.
Information on language requirements
ASSET EDUCATION
AEd1 - Graduate degree in biology, microbiology, molecular biology, virology, immunology, genomics, bioinformatics, biotechnology, genetics, pathology, animal science, or other specialty relevant to the position.
Degree equivalency
ASSET KNOWLEDGE
AK1 - Knowledge of QA principles, practices and the relevant international standard(s) to ensure compliance to national and international standard(s) in a laboratory setting. Knowledge of audit processes as it relates to ISO/IEC 17025.
AK2 - Knowledge of Containment Level 2, 3, and 4 laboratory safety regulations and procedures.
AK3 - Knowledge of the theories, principles, and procedures for common laboratory techniques used in one or more of the following areas (dependent on the needs of the position being staffed): molecular biology, immunology, serology, virology, cell biology, histology, pathology, microscopy, bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, structural biology, microbiology .
ASSET COMPETENCIES
AC1 - Oral Communication
AC2 - Ability to work in a team
AC3 - Thoroughness
AC4 - Adaptability/Flexibility
AC5 - Reliability
AC6 - Initiative
Secret security clearance - Applicants who have not lived in Canada for the past five (or ten, depending on security level) years may be required to submit a police certificate from each country in which they have lived for six months or more during this period, as well as other documentation required for the security screening process. Failure to submit this documentation if requested will eliminate the application from further consideration.
The following conditions of employment are required for an appointment:
- Adherence to the CFIA Code of Conduct.
- Adherence to the CFIA Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Policy.
- Compliance with the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector.
- Legal status to accept employment for the entire period of employment.
- In accordance with the Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, all employees of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status unless accommodated based on a medical contraindication, religion, or another prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act.
Any of the following conditions of employment may be required for an appointment:
- Medical suitability: Pass a Pre-placement Health Evaluation and Periodic Health Evaluation.
- Willing and available to travel, as required.
- Willing and available to work shifts.
- Willing and available to work irregular hours (e.g., days, nights, weekends, statutory holidays).
- Willing and available to work overtime, as required.
- To use in the prescribed circumstances and manner all prescribed safety materials, equipment, devices and clothing.
- Willing and able to be immunized as indicated by job risk, location, overseas travel and other identified risks.
- Willing and available to travel frequently, as required.
- To use prescribed and provided respiratory equipment that meets the respiratory program requirements; to undergo fit testing (e.g. may need to be clean-shaven, depending on the respirator design).
- Willingness to abide by strict biosecurity protocols which may require showering several times a day or abiding by certain restrictions on contact with livestock outside of the workplace.
- Willing and able to work in environmentally challenging or physically demanding conditions and with pathogens in high security laboratory biocontainment or with potential allergens.
- Willing and able to work with samples potentially infected with SARS-CoV-2.
- Willing and able to carry and wear 20 kg of protective equipment while performing duties.
- Security clearance under the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (HPTA) may be required for certain laboratory positions.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency 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.
Personal information is obtained for the purpose of determining an individual’s competence and suitability for employment. If a staffing complaint questions this determination, please be advised that relevant personal information you will provide in the course of this staffing process may be disclosed to substantiate the staffing decision.
Please ensure that you read ALL points listed below, as this section contains important information about the application process. Failure to read these notes and follow these instructions could result in your application missing required information which may result in your application being eliminated from this staffing process.
You are entitled to participate in the staffing process in the official language of your choice.
For this staffing process, the CFIA will communicate with you by email. You must provide a valid email address to which you wish to receive communication regarding this staffing process. You must ensure that you check your email account including spam, promotion or other folders regularly as there may be a deadline for responses. If you respond past the deadline you risk being removed from the staffing process.
Depending on the number of applicants, CFIA's needs and CFIA HR plans, volume management strategies such as, but not limited to, top-down approach, cut-off scores, random selection and/or assessment may be used for the purpose of managing applications/candidates. Should a volume management strategy be used, communication regarding the application of the strategy will be provided to those candidates who are impacted.
During the application or assessment process both cheating and plagiarism are considered forms of misconduct and are not permitted. Any person found cheating, including those who help others to cheat, may be subject to removal from the staffing process.
A current copy of your resume may be used as another source to confirm the education and experience you will be asked to describe in the screening questions. It may also be reviewed by prospective hiring managers at the appointment stage.
For more information on how to apply to a CFIA staffing process, please visit: https://inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/job-opportunities/how-to-apply/eng/1340676915348/1340679107182
You may be asked to provide proof of your education credentials later in the staffing process.
Various assessment tools may be used in this staffing process such as: standardized tests, reference checks, written tests, an interview, etc.
All written and verbal communication obtained throughout the staffing process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the candidate.
We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
