Searching for Tech Geek with Privacy Chops
We’re looking for an Information Technology Research Analyst – and the competition is open to the public. You can find a detailed list of requirements at jobs.gc.ca, but we can boil it down to these three basic requirements:
- a university degree in computer science or information technology (or a suitable combination of education and experience, for all you hacker dropouts)
- an overwhelming interest in emerging technologies and an impulse to tear them apart
- an ability to analyze the pieces piled up before you and explain their importance to non-technical people.
It would help if you were obsessive about a technology in particular, like video surveillance, RFID and locational technology, information security, the convergence of surveillance systems and biometrics, or mobile technology, but it’s not mandatory.
The position is based in Ottawa, and it’s full time. Cubicles are involved. We can understand if you bring a moderate amount of cynicism about bureaucratic processes and unnecessary hierarchies to the job – although we think you’ll find our Office less burdensome than most federal or provincial agencies.
7 Responses
3:00 pm
I’m certainly applying, because this is somewhat of my dream job. I work for the Province of BC’s Ministry of Attorney General Legal Services Branch. While I certainly appreciate the nod to cynicism about bureaucratic processes and job hierarchies and acknowledge the Information and Privacy Commissioners Office’s reputation as being progressive, I worry about the ability of round-peggers like myself to pass the initial gamut of federal screenings in order to prove that my technology obsession, graduate education and apparent penchant for mouth-breathing run on sentences is indeed valuable
3:05 pm
All I can say is make it evident how you think you meet the requirements – whether a combination of on-the-job, education, obsessive hobbies or volunteer work – in the cover letter. Make sure the resume provides detail to back up your claims.
4:21 pm
Sigh. Yet another reason to wish sometimes that I lived in Canada.
Sounds like a fun job!
12:28 am
Wow – that blog post got me sitting right up in my seat! It looks like a perfect fit for me, both in terms of my interests and experience.
That is, until I came to the following line:
Bilingual Imperative – Level: BBB/BBB
DOH. I don’t suppose I could substitute another language for French, eh? Didn’t think so. Oh well. It did look too good to be true.
3:58 am
If you look at the poster, it DOES say that other positions with varying linquistic requirements MAY be staffed from this competition – so I wouldn’t hold back from applying.
3:36 pm
Thanks for breaking the taboo and posting this true picture of a job description. Its so refreshing and is encouraging for those desperate for a culture shift. Good luck in your search!
1:05 am
Fantastic! This is the chance to get paid for what I currently do for free.