Research Assistant - Research Affiliate Program

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

A2. Ability to communicate effectively in writing will be assessed by the responses provided in your application/online questionnaire.

The information provided must enable the Selection Board Members to understand HOW (clear explanation of duties), WHEN and for HOW LONG (date and length of time in months or years), and WHERE (employer and geographic location) the experience was acquired. You will be asked to provide this information during the application process.

Your resume may be used to confirm the information provided. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or missing information. A lack of information may result in your application not being considered any further.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

Duties

The successful candidate will work with Canadian Wildlife Service – Wildlife and Habitat Assessment Unit to support the seabird and sea duck monitoring program in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Tasks will involve:
- Provide expert and scientific advice on thick-billed murres to support Murre Management Plan and Ocean Protection Plan initiatives, and to broadly support marine use and conservation planning by partners and other parties;
- Provide expert scientific and technical advice to support delivery of Protected Areas monitoring programs in relation to thick-billed murres;
- Aid in compiling existing information and data resources to identify priority areas and key knowledge gaps for seabirds and sea ducks in the Canadian Arctic;
- Assist with delivery of 2025 Cape Bathurst Surveys in the Northwest Territories and 2025 thick-billed murre surveys in Nunavut;
- Undertake the logistics planning necessary to implement field research in the eastern Arctic (thick-billed murres) and western Arctic (sea ducks) in 2025 and 2026, that is intended to fill key information gaps in the distribution and abundance of seabirds and sea ducks.
- Data management, data transcription and reporting;
- Support delivery of thick-billed murre surveys to support harvest management decisions for the Atlantic Thick-billed and Common Murre populations.
- Provide technical direction on analyses intended to support harvest management decisions.
- Provide mentorship to Inuit staff to support departmental employment equity goals in Nunavut.
- Support maintenance of program equipment and inventory records;
- Participate in internal and external committees related to the management of thick-billed murres and provide relevant information on monitoring and key knowledge gaps of thick-billed murres in the eastern Arctic.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses that you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION

ED1. The student must be enrolled in a graduate studies program in a recognized post-secondary institution with an acceptable specialization in the biological sciences with a focus on wildlife ecology and management.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

EX1. Experience analyzing, interpreting, and reporting on data or information relating to ecological research or wildlife surveys.
EX2. Experience preparing plain language and technical documents summarizing scientific information.
EX3. Experience leading or participating in fieldwork in arctic ecosystems.
EX4. Experience participating in wildlife surveys by boat and air.
EX5. Experience leading wildlife monitoring programs in collaboration with Indigenous partners or local communities.
EX6. Experience with ecological data management and analysis.
EX7. Experience using multiple scientific methods and experimental designs to monitor northern marine birds.
EX8. Experience with the logistics and safety of leading a remote field camp.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

ABILITIES

A1. Ability to communicate effectively orally.
A2. Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
A3. Ability to identify northern marine birds by sight.

PERSONAL SUITABILITIES

PS1. Demonstrating integrity and respect.
PS2. Working effectively with others.
PS3. Showing initiative and being action-oriented.
PS4. Thinking things through.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

AED1. Be enrolled in a PhD program in field relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

Conditions of employment

• Reliability Status security clearance.
• Willing and able to travel within Canada, including travel to remote locations in Northern Canada.
• Willing and able to work irregular hours and overtime, as required.
• Willing and able to work in adverse environmental conditions.
• Willing and able to perform fieldwork in remote locations with possibly no amenities or services for up to 6 consecutive weeks at a time.
• Willing and able to travel in small aircraft, boats, or off-road vehicles.
• Willing and able to obtain required safety training/certifications and implement safety protocols (including underwater egress).
• Willing and able to obtain and maintain First Aid Training certification.
• Willing and able to obtain and maintain a valid Possession and Acquisition License for non-restricted firearms.
• Willing and able to carry and use firearms in the field.
• A valid driver’s license.

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

WE ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS ON-LINE.

Following are some of the benefits associated with applying on-line: Applicants can create a profile and retrieve stored application(s) (personal information, covering letter and résumé) previously submitted and modify them, if necessary, before submitting the application. Applicants can modify their application/resume at any time BEFORE the closing date indicated on the job advertisement.

Should you be unable to apply on-line or you are unable to access PSRS for any reason, please submit your application, quoting the Selection Process Number, to the application contact listed on the poster on or before the closing date.

CANDIDATES THAT DO NOT APPLY ONLINE MUST PREPARE A COVER LETTER on how they meet the education and experience factors listed in the essential qualifications. Candidates must use each of the education and experience criteria as a header. Under each corresponding header you must write no more than 500 words that state exactly how you meet the education and experience factors. You must state clearly where and when you obtained the education and experiences, including the educational institution, and by identifying the employer(s) or organization(s) where you obtained the required experience factors, as well as concrete examples demonstrating your experiences. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application being rejected. Candidates must also demonstrate how they meet the ASSET by using the same format. For this part of the screening process, resumes will only be used as a secondary source to validate the essential experience listed in the cover letter.

Additional allowances will be provided for these positions in accordance with the National Joint Council's Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive. More detailed information can be found at the following link: http://www.njc-cnm.gc.ca/directive/ipgh-pile/index-eng.php.

You may also be eligible for the Northern residents deductions when you file your tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency. More information can be found at the following link: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs/ncm-tx/rtrn/cmpltng/ddctns/lns248-260/255/menu-eng.html.

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position. Please provide concrete examples of how you meet each essential education and experience qualification. You will be asked to provide this information during the application process. Your resume will be used to confirm the information provided. A lack of information may result in your application not being considered.

Candidates invited to an interview will be asked to bring proof of their education credentials, in the form of a diploma or official transcript. Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/.

Our intention is to communicate with applicants by e-mail for screening/assessment purposes. Applicants who apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid e-mail address and make sure this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users. Please ensure you check your e-mail periodically.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language (French or English) of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

Preference

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Apply online