Transport Canada Transports Canada Safety and Security Sécurité et sûreté

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE & MANUFACTURING STAFF INSTRUCTION Subject: Number: MSI 7

Procedural Guidelines for the Application of the National Hiring Standard Revision No: 3

Number of Pages: 8

File No: AARP-5009-3-7 RDIMS: 1995265 Issue Date: August 30, 2006

1. PURPOSE

1.1 The purpose of this MSI is to provide guidelines for the application of the national hiring standard.

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 In 2000, the Aircraft Maintenance and Manufacturing Branch introduced a national standard for hiring Civil Aviation Safety Inspectors. The development of this package was based on the work of the Maintenance and Manufacturing Functional Learning Committee. The Committee developed a set of core competencies applicable to all Civil Aviation Safety Inspectors. This work was refined, through a “specialized” consulting company and Transport Canada’s Human Resource Branch, into a comprehensive hiring package.

2.2 The national hiring standard was designed to provide a standardized method for assessing the suitability of candidates for the position of Civil Aviation Safety Inspector. The objective was to develop a methodology for qualifying a bank of national candidates. The application of a standardized hiring practice is intended to provide sufficient confidence in the process that qualified candidates will be acceptable in any region, regardless of where they were initially interviewed.

2.3 The national hiring standard package includes a Written Communication Proficiency Test, a multiple-choice technical knowledge examination, and a behavioral-based, interview rating guide. The technical knowledge examination is updated on a regular basis to ensure that candidates who are re-applying receive a new examination.

3. PROCEDURES

3.1 Initial Screening - Applicants receive an initial screening based on criteria established in the Statement of Merit Criteria for that position. Candidates that meet the initial criteria will be screened in to the competition. The “Statement of Merit Criteria for Selection of Civil Aviation Safety Inspector Aircraft Maintenance & Manufacturing Transport Canada” is provided as Appendix A to this MSI.

3.2 Written Communication Assessment – As the second step in the screening process, candidates will be required to successfully complete the Written Communication Proficiency Test (WCPT 351). The Personnel Psychology Center of the Public Service Commission (PSC) makes this test available through the Human Resources branch of Transport Canada. This test must be invigilated by a certified Human Resources officer and can be taken at any Transport Canada office or PSC Regional office. This test can be written electronically or in paper/pencil format. There is a small fee that must be covered by the department. Candidates must also achieve a passing grade of 70%, to be eligible to write the technical examination or attend the oral interview. In the event of a failure, a minimum re-write period of 180 days has been set by the PSC. Additional information on this test can be found at the following URL: http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/ppc/assessment_pg2_e.htm.

MSI 7 - Procedural Guidelines for the Application of the National Hiring Standard

3.3 Technical Knowledge Examinations – As a third step, and only after a candidate’s successful completion of the “WCPT”, candidates will be administered a technical knowledge examination comprised of twenty-five questions. Twelve questions are categorized as core questions, the remaining thirteen are general questions. Each question will be assigned a maximum of four points. Successful candidates must achieve a score of 70% on the core questions and 60% on the remaining questions. The examination will serve to assess overall technical knowledge of aircraft maintenance and manufacturing. In the event of a failure, a minimum re-write period of 180 days has been established. 3.4 Oral Interview - Upon successful completion of the WCPT and the technical knowledge examination, applicants will be invited to attend an oral interview. The interview utilizes a behavioral-based technique, designed to assess the candidate’s future job performance based on past experience. It is recommended, therefore, that at least one board member be trained in behavioral-based interviewing techniques. In cases where only one board member has received the behavioral-based interview techniques training, it would be advisable for that board member to take some time before the interview and explain the interview technique, the rating guide and the general philosophy behind behavioral-based interviews. The Maintenance and Manufacturing Rating Guide is comprised of ten questions. Each question is designed to test for specific competencies deemed essential to the successful performance of duties as a Civil Aviation Safety Inspector. Each question will be assigned a maximum of four points, half marks may be assigned when grading a candidate. Grades will be designated as follows: (a) 0 = does not meet; (b) 1 = partially meets; (c) 2 = meets; (d) 3 = more than meets; (e) 4 = exceeds expectations

Successful candidates must achieve a pass mark of 67% on the oral interview. Candidates will be graded according to the following guidelines: 0-66 – Does not meet requirements, 67-100 Meets requirements.

3.5 Oral Communication Skills Assessment - An assessment of the candidate’s oral abilities will be conducted during the oral interview. This mark will be added to the interview summary score and will constitute part of the 67% required on the oral interview to achieve a successful grade.

3.6 Reference Check Guide – The reference check guide comprises a set of questions similar to those used in the interview. They are behavior-based questions and will be used to confirm (or refute) or enlarge on the information the candidate provided during the interview. The interview process is not complete until a reference check has been conducted and the interviewer is satisfied that the candidate meets the requirements.

4. ASSESSMENT TABLE

4.1 The following table shows the minimum qualifying score for a successful candidate and the maximum marks available for each stage of the hiring process.

Minimum Score Maximum Score Achievable Written Communication 35/50 (70%) 50 Technical Knowledge 34/48 (70%) core questions 48 Examination 31/52 (60%) general questions 52 100 (Total) Oral Interview 67/100 (67%) 100

2 MSI 7 - Procedural Guidelines for the Application of the National Hiring Standard

5. PROTOCOL

5.1 Following each step in a selection process, managers are requested to send the screening and/or assessment information to the Recruitment Centre at APRC or by encrypted email to [email protected]. This information will be added to the Candidate’s Profile. Managers will be able to see all of the assessment information (results/scores of the WCPT, Technical Knowledge Exam, Interview, etc) as well as the waiting period before the test/exam can be re-administered. This will also allow managers to conduct advanced searches in the e-inventory.

5.2 All technical knowledge examinations and the ‘master’ Rating Guide will reside in RDIMS under “Projects”, Aircraft Maintenance & Manufacturing Hiring Process”. The Director and Chiefs, Maintenance & Manufacturing, will have access and will provide this information to regional management personnel involved in the staffing process, upon request. Revisions to the technical knowledge examination will be made when required, with the assistance of regional personnel.

5.3 Candidates that are not successful in the oral interview will not be re-interviewed unless they can provide sufficient evidence that they have addressed all shortcomings identified in the initial interview.

6. EFFECTIVE DATE

6.1 This instruction comes into effect immediately.

7. HQ CONTACT

7.1 The responsible division indicated below may be contacted for information regarding this MSI:

Technical and National Programs Aircraft Maintenance & Manufacturing (AARPF) Phone: (613) 952-7974 Facsimile: (613) 952-3298

D.B. Sherritt Director, Aircraft Maintenance and Manufacturing

3 MSI 7 – Appendix A

Statement of Merit Criteria

Civil Aviation Safety Inspector

Aircraft – Maintenance & Manufacturing

Transport Canada

Our Vision: A transportation system in Canada that is recognized worldwide as safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible.

The future Transport Canada is building towards is one where industry operates at the maximum level of delegation possible, with the flexibility to meet safety requirements in the most cost-efficient manner. This means that the regulatory framework must be increasingly performance-based to permit the implementation of systematic approaches to provide continuous improvement in safety performance.

How we manage risk in aviation or what we do to prevent accidents from occurring in the first place becomes the logical and necessary focus of our endeavours. For the purposes of the Civil Aviation Program and to bring our strategic goals into focus, Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) defines safety as the condition where risks are managed to acceptable levels, which translates into our mission.

Our Mission: To develop and administer policies and regulations for the safest civil aviation system for Canada and Canadians, using a systems approach to managing risks.

Inspectors must be leaders and skilled communicators capable of working effectively with others and adapting to the different needs of our clients. They must sometimes take rapid, decisive action and must be able to negotiate, facilitate behaviour change and develop new competencies in client industries. Inspectors work in an environment of high stress due to the possible impact of error and real or potential conflict. In the course of ensuring that regulations are respected, Inspectors carry significant responsibility and accountability, their decisions have a direct impact on the safety of Canadians.

1) Essential Qualifications:

a) Official Languages Proficiency

Linguistic requirements are job specific and are independently determined by area and function. Proficiency in either official language must be demonstrated. b) Written Communication Assessment Candidates will be required to successfully complete the Written Communication Proficiency Test (WCPT 351).

4 MSI 7 – Appendix A

c) Education

Successful completion of a post-secondary diploma in aircraft maintenance or an acceptable combination of education, training and experience related to aircraft Maintenance and/or Manufacturing. d) Occupational Certification

 For Civil Aviation Safety Inspectors – Aircraft Maintenance & Manufacturing: a valid Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Licence.

 For Civil Aviation Safety Inspectors – Aviation Manufacturing: a valid Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Licence, or an aviation related university degree, or college diploma, or an acceptable CGSB certification, or an acceptable combination of education, aviation experience and aviation related training. e) Experience

A record of holding progressively more responsible positions in an aviation Maintenance and/or Manufacturing organization demonstrating:

 Experience in the inspection, modification, repair and/or manufacturing, of aeronautical products; and,

 Experience in the development, application, supervision or management of quality assurance systems or other equivalent aviation Maintenance and/or Manufacturing activities in an approved aviation Maintenance and/or Manufacturing organization. f) Technical Knowledge

The ideal candidate will have the technical knowledge required to perform in the following situations:

 Evaluating the Maintenance and/or Manufacturing of aircraft and conformance to the Canadian Aviation Regulations (including related documents);

 Evaluating aircraft Maintenance and/or Manufacturing standards and their application/implementation within an approved system;

 Assessing/evaluating a client’s quality assurance systems and Maintenance and/or Manufacturing programs;

 Developing evaluation criteria for the assessment of Maintenance and/or Manufacturing requirements and/or Maintenance and/or Manufacturing performance within an approved organization;

 Evaluating conformance of foreign aeronautical products used in Canada to ICAO and applicable foreign regulatory instruments;

 Conducting regulatory audits and investigations.

 Use of computer software such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

5 MSI 7 – Appendix A

g) Personal Suitability:

The ideal candidate will, through previous experience, have had an opportunity to develop and demonstrate the following suitability:

 Effective interpersonal skills demonstrated through an ability to:

- Deal with difficult or conflict situations and bring them to a constructive focus while maintaining positive relationships;

- Demonstrate integrity and objectivity when confronting or being confronted with challenging situations;

- Negotiate mutually acceptable solutions by actively trying to understand the positions of others;

- Deal with everyone in an open, fair, honest and respectful manner.

 Effective self-management skills demonstrated through an ability to:

- Take the initiative and seek out opportunities to influence events and originate action;

- Approach work in an optimistic manner;

- Pursue continuous learning and development opportunities.

 Ability to impact and influence others demonstrated through an ability to:

- Be persuasive and convince others, including those who are initially resistant to or uninformed regarding the message;

- Get cooperation and action from others;

- Gain respect quickly and make favourable first impressions and take on a leadership role when necessary;

- State and defend ideas and convictions while recognizing other options.

 Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills demonstrated through an ability to:

- Apply a logical approach when analyzing situations, evaluating conformance, resolving problems or making decisions;

- Draw sound conclusions from available information and, when necessary, make decisions based on limited information;

- Find the real cause of problems before taking action;

- Quickly and accurately size up situations and determine the best course of action;

- Assess the impact of a course of action and devise appropriate strategies to alleviate the impact;

- Probe beneath the surface to uncover information.

6 MSI 7 – Appendix A

 Effective communication skills demonstrated through an ability to:

- Use appropriate vocabulary and grammar;

- Actively listen to verify understanding;

- Ask probing questions to gain a broader understanding;

- Use Microsoft computer software including Word and Excel.

 Effective business partnering skills demonstrated through an ability to:

- Establish a collaborative relationship with clients where all parties take ownership for activities, results, and the sharing of pertinent information;

- Be assertive in ensuring that your expertise is respected when working with and advising clients;

- Carry out a “challenge function” when appropriate, by providing unwelcome information or advice and by saying “no” if warranted;

- Initiate contacts and establish professional relationships.

2) Asset Qualifications: a) Experience

Extensive experience working in an environment dealing with:

 Rotor Craft operations, and/or;

 Airline operations, and/or;

 Air Taxi operations, and/or;

 Recreational aircraft, and/or;

 Manufacturing processes (welding, plating, etc.), and/or;

 Avionics maintenance and repair, and/or;

 Non-destructive testing methods. b) Knowledge

 Knowledge of Safety Management Systems, and/or;

 Knowledge of assessing Safety Management Systems, and/or;

 Knowledge of Q850, or other equivalent, Risk Management process.

7 MSI 7 – Appendix A

c) Abilities/Skills

 Ability to speak a language other than one of Canada’s two official languages.

3) Operational Requirements

 Occasional work outside core business hours and on weekends.

 Occasional inspection/oversight activities to be performed several metres above ground, and/or in enclosed or confined spaces.

4) Organizational Needs

Membership in one of the following designated Employment Equity groups:

 Persons with disabilities.

 Aboriginal people.

 Members of visible minority groups.

5) Conditions of Employment/Work

 Security Clearance: secret level.

 Possession of a valid provincial or territorial automobile driver’s licence.

 Willingness to travel frequently.

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