| Requisition Number: | CAAR146047 |
| Category: | Engineering |
| Posted Date: | 06-Mar-2006 |
| Closing Date: | 20-Mar-2006 |
| Location: | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Position Number: 1972-20 | |
| Salary Range: | RL-TS-07 $75,151-$99,425(currently under review) |
The mission of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is to regulate the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment and to respect Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
In addition to nuclear power plants and nuclear research facilities, the CNSC regulates numerous other uses of nuclear material. Some examples include radioisotopes used in the treatment of cancer, the operation of uranium mines and refineries, and the use of radioactive sources for oil exploration and in instruments such as precipitation measurement devices.
The CNSC is an independent agency of the Government of Canada and operates in a transparent manner. Its operations are open to formal public scrutiny.
Summary of duties
The position involves the assessment of human factors aspects of nuclear activities licensed by the CNSC. The objective is to ensure that licensees are applying human factors methods and knowledge in design, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning activities to reduce the potential for human error.
The main area of responsibility is the assessment of the human system interface within nuclear facilities and its impact on nuclear safety. Human system interface aspects assessed include, but are not limited to, information display and control design, alarm/annunciation handling, use of automated aiding, allocation of function between humans and automation, work space layout and workstation design. This activity involves developing and applying methods for assessment of the human system interface for the control room and the balance of the plant, identifying potential human performance deficiencies and communicating these to the licensee.
Other key duties include the assessment of shift-work systems, staffing levels, procedures, and root cause analysis reports, the development of human factors regulatory procedures and evaluation criteria, the review of licensee submissions to identify potential human performance issues, and participation in multi-disciplinary audits and evaluations performed by the Organization and Management Systems Division and other CNSC groups. The position also involves the identification, planning and monitoring of Organization and Management Systems Division research projects to develop the CNSC’s knowledge base in the area of human factors and nuclear safety.
Qualifications
To be considered for this position you must have:
- Masters degree in human factors engineering, industrial engineering, engineering psychology, ergonomics or other related degree.
- In-depth relevant experience in the development and implementation of human factor programs in a process industry environment ( e.g. nuclear, aviation, chemical, transportation).
- Eligibility for membership in a recognized Human Factors professional society, e.g. Human Factors and Ergonomic Society (USA), Human Factors Association of Canada, or Ergonomics Society (UK).
Knowledge
- Sound knowledge of human factors principles, theories, methods, standards and guidelines.
- Sound knowledge of human factors issues that are applicable to the life-cycle of nuclear generating stations, including human error, human-system interface design, work organization, job design and procedures design.
- Extensive knowledge of human cognitive and physical capabilities and limitations including memory, attention, information processing, decision making and anthropometrics.
- Good knowledge of human factors methods and techniques including function analysis, task analysis, human error analysis, workload analysis, verification and validation methods.
- Good knowledge of human machine and human-computer interface design and assessment issues that are applicable to nuclear facilities in Canada including the areas of information display, alarm/annunciation, decision support systems, control design, workplace layout and workstation design.
Abilities
- Oral and written communication skills
- Analytical thinking
- Synthesize information and convey in a simple language
- Self-Management
- Dealing with difficult situations
- Management of multiple projects
- Effective presentations
- Ability to work with minimum supervision
- Ability to solve problems with minimal assistance
- Ability to carry out research, collect and assemble information from various sources
Personal Qualities
- Effective interpersonal skills
- Initiative
- Judgment
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Tact and discretion
- Negotiation skills
- Teamwork
- Reliability
- Flexibility
- Honesty and integrity
Conditions of Employment
- Nuclear Energy Worker
- Pre-employment medical evaluation
- NOTE: Candidates may be required to undergo formal assessment and testing to confirm some or all of the abilities and personal qualities.
Additional Information
The CNSC offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefit package and pension plan.
The CNSC is an equal opportunity employer which encourages women, Aboriginal people, members of visible minorities and persons with disabilities to apply for employment.
Candidates must fully demonstrate on their application/curriculum vitae that they meet the screening criteria as described under Qualifications. Failure to do so may result in being screened out.
Due to Canadian Immigration regulations, we are only able to consider applications from Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Please note that an external competition will be held simultaneously and that external candidates will be considered at the same time as internal candidates.
We thank all candidates for their interest; however only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.
Applicants apply by completing a customized on-line application form. The depth and breadth of their experience and knowledge will also be reported. Please find below the description of the different levels.