SCIENTIST, NUTRIENT & ALGAL MONITORING

Do you have expertise in the field of aquatic biology and chemistry? Do you have extensive experience monitoring, examining and identifying algae? Are you organized and have superior data analysis and communication skills?
Bring your experience and leadership skills to this interesting and important role to support Ontario's water quality.

What can I expect to do in this role?

What can I expect to do in this role?
In this role, you will:
• provide scientific leadership and coordination of the ministry's water quality monitoring programs that focus on nutrients, algal communities and associated issues
• provide expert scientific knowledge, guidance and advice to Regional and other clients on water quality issues
• provide advice relating to nutrients and algal communities
• direct the operation of the ministry's phytoplankton laboratory
• provide group leadership in the algal identification laboratory for staff monitoring water quality and algae

Note: Province-wide travel is required for this position

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

You have an Ontario Class 'G' driver's license, as work assignments involve province-wide travel to field sites and meetings

Scientific Knowledge:

• you know aquatic biology, aquatic chemistry, and environmental sciences or related disciplines in order to serve as a ministry authority
• you know the scientific and technical principles and complex processes which cause aquatic contamination
• you know relevant environmental legislation such as the Ontario Water Resources Act, Environmental Protection Act, Environmental Assessment Act
• you can interpret and apply other pertinent legislation, regulations, standards, policies, directives and guidelines as they relate to water quality assessment
• you can examine and identify microscopic samples of phytoplankton and other aquatic organisms for conducting taxonomic identifications

Data Analysis Knowledge and Skills:

• you have extensive experience acquiring, managing, and analyzing data and conducting investigative studies and projects
• you have analytical skills and knowledge of scientific and mathematical analyses approaches at an advanced statistical level
• you know field and laboratory methods to ensure that laboratory operations, procedures and field investigations are conducted correctly and safely
• you have reasoning and problem-solving skills to develop recommendations

Project Management:

• you can ensure accountability of actions taken and project resources used to ensure correct identification and security of samples
• you have scientific project planning and management skills to design and conduct laboratory and on-site field investigations to assess ambient water quality, both on the Great Lakes and inland lakes

Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• you can represent and defend the ministry's policies and programs relating to nutrient issues on inland lakes, in court, with clients and in a public forum
• you can prepare a variety of technical documents and reports for a range of audiences, including reports on scientific findings with related sampling information
• you can present detailed technical and scientific information and reports and articulate the ministry's position on issues at scientific conferences

Software Knowledge:

• you know software programs for database management to edit and manipulate large amounts of data and conduct analyses of large, multivariate data sets
• you know how to operate microcomputers and associated software applications to summarize and describe data and prepare reports

Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Wednesday, August 9, 2017 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.