Research Technician and Technician, Information Service

The Library of Parliament is a non-partisan organization that provides a unique and stimulating work environment. We are led by our guiding principles of agility, collaboration, excellence, impartiality, and inclusion. For more information about the Library and what we offer, visit Employment opportunities at the Library of Parliament.

Reporting to a Manager, Branches and Parliamentary Outreach, the Research Technician or the Technician, Information Service is responsible for providing non-partisan, confidential and bilingual general reference, instruction and information services to parliamentarians, authorized clients and the general public on a wide variety of topics and issues of interest.

The incumbent performs the following duties:

• Reference interviews in person, on the telephone and virtually to properly define clients’ requests, needs and deadlines.
• Searches, selects and retrieves information by using a range of Library resources in order to respond effectively to clients’ requests.
• Provides instruction to clients in using parliamentary publications on the web and the Library’s electronic or print collections, and on Library services and products.
• Provides reference and information service support to and collaborates with colleagues in other service points of the Library, such as the Library Branches and Information Service, as may be necessary in order to ensure appropriate levels of service and support to clients.

Education:

• A library and information technician diploma OR
• A diploma from an accredited post-secondary institution in a related field combined with applicable experience.

Experience:

• Experience handling and providing responses to client enquiries in a timely manner.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of research techniques and tools used to retrieve information from catalogues, online databases and websites.
• Knowledge of the Canadian parliamentary system, the federal government and parliamentary publications.
• Knowledge of current affairs that are of interest to parliamentarians and the public.

Competencies:

• Adaptability
• Client Focus.
• Embracing Diversity
• Exemplifying Integrity
• Organizational Awareness
• Data / Information Retrieval and Analysis
• Quality Focus
• Communication.
• Teamwork
• Analytical Thinking

Asset Criteria:

• Experience providing information or reference services.
• Experience working in a library or information centre.

Operational Requirements:

• Technicians may be required to work an evening duty shift every 3-4 weeks (during sitting weeks). These hours would be 10:30AM - 7:00PM.

Conditions of Employment:

• A successful pre-employment security screening.
• A second-language evaluation (Bilingual staffing – imperative): CBC/CBC.

Second language self-assessment test:

To help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your written expression and reading comprehension in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

Try out the self-assessment tests for written expression and reading comprehension.

For more information on language requirements, see the language requirements for candidates.

Please include a cover letter with your application describing how you meet the education and experience requirements of the position. Applications without a cover letter may not be considered. Please combine your cover letter and CV into a single document or upload your cover letter on the second page of the application form.

The Library of Parliament welcomes all candidates to apply and encourages applications from Indigenous persons, racialized persons, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons and persons with disabilities for this position.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace by providing a barrier-free staffing process. If you have an accommodation request or require material in an accessible format, please contact us at [email protected].

Education and experience requirements will be used to determine which candidates will be asked to participate in the next stage of the selection process.

This selection process may include a second-language evaluation, a written exam, and an interview. The interview will consist of behavioural, situational and knowledge-based questions. Candidates will be required to pass each stage in order to move to the next stage of the selection process.

Qualified candidates from this selection process may be considered for determinate or indeterminate positions at the Library of Parliament that require similar knowledge and/or competencies.

Satisfactory references and proof of education are essential conditions of appointment.

Travel and relocation expenses are the responsibility of the candidates.

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