Technical Leader of the National DNA Data Bank - Ottawa, Canada - Employment and Social Development Canada

Description

Technical Leader of the National DNA Data Bank

Reference number: RCM24J
Selection process number: 24-RCM-EA-N-S-NCR-SPS/FSIS

Royal Canadian Mounted Police- Forensic Science and Identification Services, Science and Strategic Policy, National DNA Data Bank
Ottawa(Ontario)
CH-04- FSLS-03
$113,622 to $135,010

For further information on the organization, please visit Royal Canadian Mounted Police

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Closing date:17 June :59, Pacific Time

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.

Persons who cannot apply online or persons with disabilities preventing them from applying online are asked to inform the contact persons responsible for this process prior to the closing date. You may also review jobs open to the public through INFOTEL at The INFOTEL number for persons using a TTY/TDD is

Duties

Leads project teams engaged in research and development work that is validating new methodologies; applies project management techniques, principles and practices; establishes project controls and monitors progress within a specialized area and/or program.

Undertakes or assists operational staff with difficult cases and complex analyses.

Conducts national quality assurance monitoring of forensic science programs to identify and assess the need for improvements in process; to build on efficiencies; to address deficiencies; and to develop proposals and plans for appropriate corrective actions and/or enhancements.

Develops SOPs and writes technical manuals and technical directives for the use of laboratory staff.

Interprets analytical results in complex cases 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; and 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.

Conducts research and development projects related, for example, to the validation of new methodologies; contributes to national and international working groups which set scientific direction and develop international standards and protocols; 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 expert witness testimony and opinion evidence in courts of law; and explains and defends conclusions.

Work environment

There is lack of control over the pace of work and there is no tolerance for error during a criminal and humanitarian investigation process.

The work involves a constant need to balance priority demands with frequent interruptions on a daily basis.

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

When working with biological exhibit submissions there is the potential for exposure to material such as graphic case information, photos and exhibits and/or information from autopsies.

Work location:
1200 Vanier Parkway, Ottawa, ON

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 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

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:
Graduation with a Master of Science or PhD degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in biology, biochemistry, chemistry or applicable forensic science related area

Successful completion of university courses (graduate or undergraduate) in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology (molecular genetics, recombinant DNA technology) and either statistics or population genetics.

Certification/Training:
Successful completion of a Forensic Specialist (Reporting Scientist)** understudy training program within the field of biology for forensic or missing persons casework

**Forensic Specialist (Reporting Scientist) is an individual qualified as a DNA analyst as described in Appendix 3 of the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) Requirements and Guidance for the Accreditation for Forensic Testing Laboratories and is responsible for issuing forensic biology or missing persons DNA reports to investigators.

Experience:
EX1. Significant* experience as a qualified Forensic Specialist (Reporting Scientist)** in the field of biology for forensic or missing persons casework
EX2. Experience providing technical assistance in forensic biology
EX3. Experience in conducting scientific research

*Significant is defined as the breadth, depth, and complexity of experience normally associated with full time performance of duties over a period of three (3) years.

** Forensic Specialist (Reporting Scientist) is an individual qualified as a DNA analyst as described in Appendix 3 of the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) Requirements and Guidance for the Accreditation for Forensic Testing Laboratories and is responsible for issuing forensic biology or missing persons DNA reports to investigators.

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

Knowledge:
K1. Knowledge of scientific methods, techniques, practices and interpretation of forensic evidence as it relates to DNA analysis
K2. Knowledge of validation and implementation steps of new technologies
K3. Knowledge of quality assurance and quality control
K4. Knowledge of Canadian laws and regulations with respect to DNA identification

Abilities/Skills:
A1. Ability to communicate effectively in writing
A2. Ability to communicate effectively orally
A3. Ability to lead
A4. Ability to solve problems
A5. Ability to plan and organize

Personal Suitability:
PS1. Effective interpersonal relationships
PS2. Motivation to learn and to move forward
PS3. Attention to detail
PS4. Initiative

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

Experience:
AEX1. Experience in court testimony for forensic biology or missing persons casework
AEX2. Experience conducting kinship DNA analysis
AEX3. Experience in the analysis of lineage DNA markers (i.e. Y-STRs and/or mitochondrial DNA analysis)
AEX4. Experience conducting laboratory audits for quality assurance purposes

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
OR1. Willingness and ability to travel for work related assignments
OR2. Willingness and ability to provide expert witness testimony in a court of law
OR3. Willingness and ability to work shifts and overtime

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - RCMP Enhanced Reliability Status

Conditions of employment:

• The candidate must obtain and maintain a valid medical clearance

• Willing and able to work in a police environment, including exposure to unsettling and/or graphic material

• Adhere to laboratory safety standards and procedures

• Work with and be exposed to material from autopsies and found human remains

• Work with chemicals and hazardous materials

• Work with and be exposed to biological samples

• Wear appropriate protective clothing and/or equipment

• Able to maintain standing and/or sitting positions for extended periods of time.

• Must be willing and able to testify in a court of law anywhere in Canada

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.

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:

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.

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

Contact information