Laboratory Chemist II

Work environment
Are you looking to apply your analytical chemistry skills in a rigorous scientific environment, at the heart of the Government of Canada’s regulatory activities?As a Laboratory Analyst (CH-02), you will directly contribute to protecting the health and safety of Canadians by conducting analyses that support regulatory decision-making, in areas such as controlled substances, health products, cannabis, pesticides, and other regulated products.In this role, you will:
- Conduct chemical analyses on a variety of samples using analytical instrumentation (e.g., LC-PDA, GC-FID, GC-MS, LC-MS)
- Interpret data and generate reliable results that support inspection, enforcement
- Prepare clear scientific reports and, when required, provide technical expertise in regulatory or legal contexts
- Perform routine analyses as well as more specialized testing, based on operational priorities
- Contribute to the development, validation, and continuous improvement of analytical methods
- Apply quality management principles (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025) and contribute to quality assurance activities
- Collaborate with scientific colleagues and partners to support laboratory operations
And much more!

Intent of the process
Although it is an anticipatory process, applicants should be aware that a pool of qualified candidates (fully assessed or partially assessed) may be established and may be used to staff similar positions at this group and level with various language requirements listed in the Language Requirements section. In addition, this process may be used for various tenures (acting appointments, assignment, deployment, indeterminate, term and secondment), security requirements and conditions of employment within Health Canada. As a result of the potential and possible use of the selection process and subsequent pool by hiring managers, we encourage all candidates seeking this type of opportunity to apply.Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Important messages
Assessments:
Candidates must clearly demonstrate with concrete examples IN THE TEXT QUESTIONS how they meet the education and experience factors listed in the essential qualifications and assets. Please note that it is not sufficient to only state that the requirement is met or to provide a listing of current responsibilities, rather the candidate must provide concrete examples that illustrate how they meet the requirement. Lack of examples and details may result in your application being rejected as the Assessment Board will have insufficient information to determine whether or not you meet the qualifications.The written communication may be assessed throughout the selection process, from the time the application is submitted until the process is closed, in particular through the use of screening questions and the curriculum vitae.You must provide proof of your education credentials.Resumes may be used as a secondary source to validate the education and the experience described in their answers to the text questions.Reference checks may be sought.
An interview may be administered.
A written examination may be administered.A “Top Down” assessment process may be used during any stage of the selection process. Please note that simply meeting the essential qualifications and/or achieving a pass mark on any of the assessment used does not mean you will move forward in the selection process. Management may decide to use breadth and depth of the screening criteria, assessed qualifications (including Asset qualifications) and/or a cut-off mark that is higher than the pass mark on any evaluation used throughout the process.Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice and applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their applicationCandidates who have been fully assessed and found to have met all essential qualifications except official language requirements may update their second-language evaluation (SLE) results for as long as the pool is valid. N.B.: Each candidate can only undergo SLE testing one time within the context of an appointment process; any update to a candidate's linguistic profile must be as a result of subsequent SLE testing done outside of this appointment process.Candidates must meet each essential qualification to be appointed to the position. A candidate may be appointed to the position even though he/she does not meet any or all of the asset qualifications, operational requirements or organizational needs. However, meeting these criteria is desirable and may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. In the event that there are as many candidates who meet the essential qualifications as there are vacancies, the manager may decide not to assess some or all of the asset qualifications, operational requirements or organizational needs.All candidates that apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid email address and ensure that this address is functional at all times and that it accepts messages from unknown users. Failure to do so may result in important messages not being received. Communication for this process will be conducted via the e-mail address provided in your application. It is your responsibility to ensure that you check for messages regularly.Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process is completed.

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Reliability Status security clearance - Various security profiles: Reliability Status and Secret security clearance.

Willingness and ability to work primarily on-site
Willingness and ability to travel occasionally;
Willingness and ability to work overtime and weekends as required;
Willingness to be exposed to chemical smells and/or other noxious odours;
Willingness to be potentially exposed to chemical and microbiological agents, dusts, pollens and moulds.

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EDUCATION:
EEd1 - Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in chemistry. Note:
The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization. If you have not completed a chemistry degree program, a minimum of seven (7) university-level chemistry courses in general chemistry or the five traditional sub-disciplines of chemistry (Organic, Inorganic, Analytical, Physical and Biochemistry) could be considered in determining whether you have a sufficient specialization in chemistry.

EXPERIENCE:
EE1 – Experience* working in an analytical chemistry laboratory.*Relevant experience acquired through the applicant’s academic program may be considered acceptable based on the depth, breadth and complexity of the experience demonstrated

ABILITIES:
EA1 – Ability to communicate effectively in writing;
EA2 – Ability to communicate effectively orally;

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
PS1 – Respectful of diversity;
PS2 – Effective interpersonal skills;
PS3 – Thinking things through (analysis and ideas);
PS4 – Values and Ethics.

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Applied / assessed at a later date

Various language requirements - English essential: Ottawa, ON, Scarborough,ON & Burnaby, BC
Bilingual Imperative: Reading/Oral B-B/B-B: Longueuil, QC and Ottawa, ON

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ASSETS EXPERIENCE:
AE1. Experience applying analytical chemistry techniques in the testing of regulated products (e.g., pharmaceuticals, cannabis, pesticides and/or controlled substances including forensic drug analysis);
AE2. Experience working with analytical laboratory instrumentation and associated data acquisition software, including, but not limited to, Liquid Chromatography (LC), Gas Chromatography (GC), Mass Spectrometry (MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) and/or Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), as well as software such as Empower, OpenLab, UNIFI, MassHunter;
AE3. Experience developing, validating and verifying analytical methods;
AE4. Experience performing trace-level analysis
AE5. Experience working in an accredited laboratory environment (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025, GLP, GMP, or an equivalent quality management system);
AE6. Experience working in a Health Canada laboratory.
AE7. Significant* experience working in an analytical chemistry laboratory*Significant experience is based on the depth, breadth and complexity of experience demonstrated in relation to the duties of the position.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY AND ABILITY (ASSETS):
APS1: Attention to detail;
APS2: Initiative;
AA1: Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS:
Health Canada is committed to fostering a culture based on diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, and to increasing the representation of Indigenous Peoples, women, Black employees and other racialized groups, as well as persons with disabilities. In accordance with the Employment Equity Act and various legislative and organizational priorities, we strive to ensure that our workforce reflects the diversity of the Canadian population we serve and responds to the needs of employment equity groups. Candidates who identify as members of one or more of these groups are encouraged to self-identify in their application. Employment equity may be taken into consideration during the staffing process to support the organization’s strategic priorities, promote a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace, and contribute to positive outcomes for all people in Canada.

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Selection may be limited to members of the following employment equity groups: Indigenous (Aboriginal) peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and women.

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Preference will be given to veterans first, followed by Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of jobs located in Nunavut or Yukon. For positions located in Nunavut, qualified Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement will be appointed first. For positions located in Yukon, qualified Yukon First Nations will be appointed first, followed by qualified Indigenous persons.

Learn more about preference to veterans.

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