Animal Care Veterinarian

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

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.

Duties

- Manages animal health and welfare programs for NCFAD diagnostic, training and technology development team projects.
- Advises, consults and collaborates directly with scientists and animal care staff on technologies and experimental procedures.
- Plays a lead role in animal usage by identifying and recommending appropriate alternatives as well as ways to refine and reduce use.
- Participates in the development and implementation of protocols and Standard Operating Procedures to ensure bio-containment and staff safety meet guidelines, Medical Research Council, Canada Labour Code part II, Containment Biosafety Standards, WHMIS etc..
- Contacts other federal government departments, universities, animal care veterinarians, veterinary practitioners and supply companies to obtain information, locate and evaluate sources of animals and supplies.
- Manages animal care technicians

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified candidates will be established. This pool may be used to staff positions with similar qualifications, with various language requirements, various conditions of employment and/or various tenures including term appointments, indeterminate appointments, acting appointments and/or assignments.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

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.

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

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 from a recognized school of Veterinary Medicine. Defined as graduation from a veterinary school accredited or approved by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA); or graduation from another veterinary school and holding a Certificate if Qualifications granted by the National examining Board of the CMA.

OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION

- Eligibility for licensing with the Canadian Veterinary Association and a provincial Veterinary association. Defined as: current member of a Canadian Veterinary Association with a license recognized by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association; and non-members of Canadian veterinary associations holding a certificate of Qualification granted by the National Examining Board (NEB) of the CVMA.

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 - Significant experience (at least 2 years) working clinically with a variety of animal species including small laboratory animals (i.e. rodents, rabbits, ferrets) as well as farm animals (i.e. pigs, sheep, chicken, cattle).

EE2 - Experience in providing expert scientific, operational or clinical advice to colleagues, management, internal research scientists or to the general public.

EE3 - Experience in supervising staff or leading a team

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

EK1 - Knowledge of current theories and principles of veterinary medicine as they relate to the use of laboratory animals.

EK2 - Knowledge of disease prevention, control and eradication programs designed to maintain a specific pathogen free status of the animal facilities.

EK3 - Knowledge of the Canadian Council on Animal Care Standards as they relate to the care and use of experimental animals.

EK4 - Knowledge of basic biological safety principles as they pertain to level 2, 3 and 4 biological containment

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES

EC1 - Effective Interpersonal Relationships
EC2 - Judgement
EC3 - Leadership
EC4 - Written Communication
EC5 - Oral Communication
EC6 - Dependability

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

ASSET EDUCATION

AEd1 - Preference may be given to candidates with a Doctorate, Masters, Diploma or Externship in Laboratory Animal Medicine.

Degree equivalency

ASSET EXPERIENCE

AEx1 - Experience in the practice of veterinary medicine and/or in applying veterinary techniques or processes

AEx2 - Experience working in high containment laboratory environment; CL3 and/or CL4.

ASSET COMPETENCIES

AC1 - Adaptability
AC2 - Team work
AC3 - Initiative

Conditions of employment

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.

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 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.
• 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.
• Security clearance under the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (HPTA) may be required for certain laboratory positions.

Other information

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.

You are entitled to participate in the staffing process in the official language of your choice.

Applicants who are screened in to this staffing process will be sent further information by email regarding what to expect during subsequent phases of this staffing process.

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.

You will be asked to provide proof of your education credentials later in the staffing process.

Your ability to communicate effectively in writing will be assessed via the application.

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.

Contact information