Technical Officer, Fire Safety

Government of Canada

$83K — $107K *
Technical Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • College diploma in Engineering Technology related to fire safety testing; university degree an asset.
  • Significant experience in laboratory technical support and troubleshooting, especially with instrumentation.
  • Extensive experience in operating and maintaining laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
  • Proficient in construction techniques and preparation of test samples using technical drawings.
  • Experience in project management within a multidisciplinary research environment.

Responsibilities

  • Provide technical support for design, execution, and analysis of fire safety experiments.
  • Construct and instrument intermediate and full-scale building test assemblies.
  • Support setup and execution of fire resistance testing and troubleshoot issues as they arise.
  • Collaborate with project managers to identify effective testing solutions in remote labs.
  • Work independently while mentoring colleagues and contributing to team goals.

Benefits

  • Robust pension plan
  • Comprehensive health and dental coverage
  • Disability and life insurance
  • Office closures at the end of December
  • Additional supports for employee well-being throughout their career.
Full Job Description
Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

* The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

City: Ottawa

Organizational Unit: Construction

Classification: TO-4

Tenure: Continuing

Language Requirements: English

Work arrangements: Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position may be eligible for a limited hybrid work arrangement (combination of working onsite and telework).

At the NRC, we recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities and you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. Alternative work arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required. To learn more about these options, please contact the NRC Hiring team using the contact information below.

The role

The successful candidate will play an important role within a multidisciplinary team by providing technical support services in the design, planning, execution, and analysis of complex fire safety experiments and tests. Under the general supervision of a Chief Technical Officer, the incumbent will support the needs of the Construction Research Centre and its clients in the field of fire testing for both small-specimen and full-scale building components.

Working as an integral member of a diverse technical team, the Technical Officer will fabricate, instrument, and test intermediate and full-scale wall, floor, and column assemblies. Responsibilities include constructing test assemblies using construction drawings and specifications with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, installing instrumentation on test assemblies, supporting the setup and execution of fire resistance testing, and assisting in troubleshooting and resolving technical issues during testing activities. The successful candidate must be capable of working independently with minimal supervision while also collaborating effectively with colleagues, sharing technical expertise, mentoring others, and contributing to the achievement of organizational goals.

The position reports directly to the Fire Lab Technical Manager (TO-6). For instrumentation-related tasks, the incumbent will also maintain a functional reporting relationship with the TO-5 Fire Resistance/Instrumentation lead. Work-related discussions and technical guidance will occur regularly with the Technical Manager.

Due to the nature of ad hoc testing activities conducted in remote laboratories, the Technical Officer will at times assume responsibility for the design and construction of test assemblies in the absence of senior technical staff. In these situations, the incumbent will work closely with project managers and, when required, directly with clients to identify practical and effective testing solutions. Strong problem-solving skills and sound technical judgment are essential, as many clients may be unfamiliar with fire testing procedures and requirements. The incumbent will also collaborate closely with the broader construction and fire testing teams to ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, and to a high technical standard.

Screening criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

College diploma in an Engineering Technology discipline related to the position. A university degree in a related field would be considered an asset.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

  • Significant experience providing technical support and troubleshooting in a laboratory work environment independently and as part of a multi-functional team with emphasis on instrumentation and sample construction.
  • Extensive experience with the safe operation, calibration, design, maintenance, verification, repair and installation of equipment and laboratory apparatus such data acquisitions, control systems and instrumentations.
  • Extensive experience working with and developing safe work instructions.
  • Extensive experience with construction techniques used to prepare and build test samples according to detailed technical drawings
  • Experience in project management focused multi-disciplinary research environment.
  • Experience in producing construction drawings using AutoCad or equivalent software.
  • Experience in working in cross-functional initiatives and collaborating with stakeholders outside the immediate work unit.
  • Experience in designing, developing, evaluating and / or testing new technologies, tools and procedures/processes in order to support the development, evaluation, and /or planning of technical capabilities


Condition of employment

Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

  • Must be able to possess and retain the physical capabilities to perform the position which include but may not be limited to: working in confined spaces, working at heights, lifting up to 25kg, crouching, bending, twisting, walking, and climbing stairs and ladders.
  • Must be able to obtain and retain a valid Driver's License
  • Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Must be able to use machinery and retain the related certifications
  • Must be comfortable working outdoors in all weather


Language requirements

English

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical competencies

  • Knowledge of theoretical concepts relating to Fre Safety. General knowledge of related industry trends, developments and best practices.
  • Knowledge of basic project management principles, tools and processes.
  • Knowledge of basic intellectual property protection and management principles.
  • Knowledge of occupational health and safety best practices required to create and maintain a safe and healthy work environment.
  • Ability to analyze, discuss, solve problems and present on complex technical issues relating to test setups.
  • Ability to write reports and draft protocols and standard operating procedures.
  • Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team environment
  • High-Degree of adaptability (shifting priorities, client demands, on-site last-minute changes)


The incumbent must have a good knowledge of ULC, ASTM and ISO standard test methods and CSA building material application standards. The work requires a working knowledge of varied construction practices and knowledge of small specimen material testing for gas and heat release measurements.

Behavioural competencies
  • Technology support - Client focus (Level 2)
  • Technology support - Communication (Level 3)
  • Technology support - Initiative (Level 2)
  • Technology support - Results orientation (Level 2)
  • Technology support - Self-knowing and self-development (Level 2)
  • Technology support - Teamwork (Level 2)
  • Technology support - Conceptual and analytical ability (Level 2)


Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s): Technology Support

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $83,435 to $107,838 per annum.

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

Notes

  • Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
  • A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one-year period.
  • Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
  • The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
  • We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.


Please direct your questions, with the requisition number (25539) to:



Telephone: 438-451-7673

Closing Date: 15 September 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time

For more information on career tools and other resources, check out Career tools and resources

*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careersmodule from your NRC computer.

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