INVENTORY: Forensic Specialist - Understudy

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

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.

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 1-800-645-5605. The INFOTEL number for persons using a TTY/TDD is 1-800-532-9397.

Duties

The primary responsibility is the successful completion of training in forensic science services. Under supervision or as part of a team, gathers information, organizes and analyzes forensic data (specimens), applies scientific techniques and provides results to supervisor, scientists or colleagues for review and feedback.

Studies methods used to maintain exhibit integrity, learns to select appropriate samples and analytical approaches used to extract the maximum amount of information available in the exhibit material.

Provides assistance in the writing technical documents and reports.

Provides feedback on the quality of training standards and on readiness for more difficult assignments.

Studies theories, methodologies and procedures related to forensic examination of material evidence.

Identifies and analyzes material of probative value, interprets analytical results, formulates conclusions stating the forensic significance of the results, confers with more senior forensic staff, supervisor or colleagues regarding the significance of the conclusions in relation to an investigation or criminal charge and writes reports for review.

Reviews assigned evidence originally submitted by police, legal counselors and other sources; examines or analyzes specimens to derive information for the requesting party or parties; and applies techniques to the exhibit material pertaining to a comprehensive discipline(s) to yield the optimum analytical information.

Supports investigation activities in the laboratory.

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

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.

There is a mandatory requirement to work in person in office five (5) days a week

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified candidates will be established and may be used to staff similar positions within the RCMP in the National Capital Region, Edmonton AB and Surrey BC 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.

**Once the candidate has successfully completed the in-house understudy, he/she will be able to work on casework and will be appointed to a CH-03 (FSLS-02) position**

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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 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.

NOTE: The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and relevant to the functions of the position.

Successful completion of graduate or undergraduate course work covering the following subject areas: pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry, chemistry and organic chemistry. Transcripts of your courses will be required to validate courses taken. Course syllabi may also be required.

Degree equivalency

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

Various language requirements
English Essential
Bilingual Imperative: BBB/BBB

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:
Knowledge of the principles of pharmacology/toxicology.

ABILITIES/SKILLS:
Ability to communicate effectively orally.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to plan and organize.

PERSONAL SUITABILITIES:
Motivation to learn and to move forward
Integrity
Effective interpersonal relationships
Critical Thinking
Attention to detail

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

EXPERIENCE:
Experience working within an ISO17025 accredited laboratory.
Experience with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and/or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry instrumentation (LC-MSMS, LC-QtoF).
Experience handling biological samples in a laboratory setting.

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of scientific interpretation of forensic evidence.
Knowledge of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and/or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry instrumentation (LC-MSMS, LC-QTOF).

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
(may change during the candidate’s term in section)
Willingness and ability to travel for work related assignments.
Willingness and ability to work in a police environment, including exposure to unsettling and graphic material, on a daily basis.
Willingness and ability to work shifts and overtime.
Willingness and ability to maintain standing or sitting positions for extended periods of time.
Willingness and ability to work in cold rooms for limited periods in order to retrieve samples.

Conditions of employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
(Cannot change during the candidate’s term in section)
Medical Profile: The candidate must obtain and maintain a valid medical clearance

Security and Reliability: RCMP Enhanced Reliability Status security clearance

Willingness and ability to complete the mandatory understudy* training program if required.
Valid driver’s license required
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.

*This position is comprised of an understudy training program. As part of the conditions of employment, the appointed candidate must successfully complete the understudy training program including the successful completion of the mock trial.

NOTE: Candidates must meet the applicable Conditions of Employments 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

A written exam may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

A simulation/situational exercise or role play may be administered.

Please note that asset qualifications, top-down and/or random selection may be used to identify which applications will be given further consideration.

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.

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

Acknowledgement of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process is completed.

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.

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

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

If a qualified candidate has been selected and appointed on an indeterminate basis from the established pool, they will be removed from the pool. If a candidate is selected for a specified period (including term, acting, or assignment/secondment) appointment, they will remain in the pool for future offers.

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 committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

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.

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.

Contact information

Apply online