Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB)Program

Reference number: DFO08J-008969-000223

Number of Jobs Being Offered: Varies from one region to another

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans

The organization will make the majority of requests for referrals by:

Varies from one region to another

Job Description: Working on the water during the summer as part of an IRB crew can be a very challenging but rewarding job. The job comes with serious responsibility: Search and rescue (SAR) operations can occur at any time of the day or night, during all types of weather and sea conditions.

IRB crews are tasked to respond and provide assistance to mariners in distress or need of assistance by a Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) or a Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC). Some of these types of incidents may include:
- Vessel on fire;
- Vessel aground;
- Vessel disabled and broken down;
- Vessel taking on water;
- Vessel capsized;
- Vessel lost in the fog;
- Person overboard; and
- Medical emergencies.

In addition to responding to distress calls, IRB crews also provide public education on boating safety. Topics can include :

- Personal Floatation Devices;
- Hypothermia;
- Equipment that every boat needs;
- Proposed changes to the required equipment;
- Personal Watercraft use;
- Rules of Navigation;
- Boating restrictions and regulations; and
- Pleasure Craft Courtesy Checks (PCCC)

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) offers PCCCs as a service to the public. These no cost examinations are beneficial because they educate boaters regarding the safety equipment that is required to be on board their vessel, as well as keep them abreast of any changes to the regulations.

Work location:

The CCG operates 24 IRB stations in 5 regions in Canada.

Region 1 - Newfoundland & Labrador (Notre Dame Bay, Conception Bay, Bonavista Bay)

Region 2 - Maritimes (Shediac, Charlottetown, Pictou, Saint John, Mahone Bay, Halifax)

Region 3 - Quebec (Valleyfield, Oka, Beaconsfield, Longueuil, Sorel, Trois-Rivieres)

Region 4 - Central and Arctic (Britt on Gereaux Island, Midland, Port Lambton, Long Point, Hill Island, Thames River)

Region 5 - Pacific (Nootka Island, Telegraph Cove, Cortes Island)

The IRB Program consists of twenty-four strategically placed stations across Canada. Each station is equipped with a six to eight metre Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) capable of operating at speeds in excess of twenty four knots.

In general, IRB crews and stations operate in a similar way across the country however, regional operational variances do exist. Factors such as the type and volume of boating activity, geography and environmental conditions, as well as the availability of CCG Fleet personnel, have an impact on IRB resources and operational requirements.

Since employment opportunities for the IRB program are in the regions, sometime in remote locations, it is necessary to indentify your choice(s) of region(s) / work location(s) or IRB station(s) under the WORK LOCATIONS section of the FSWEP application to ensure that your application will be properly considered.

Hourly rates of pay: To be determined based on Treasury Board Secretariat student rates of pay. Crewmember: $13.57/hour. Boat Coxswain: $17.77/hour

Duration of employment: Varies from one region to another

Academic Level: Post Secondary

Specializations:

Various

Skills:

Students who wish to apply as "crew" for the IRB program MUST meet the following criteria :

1. hold a valid Driver's License (automobile)(No legal restriction on the use or operation of a motor vehicle)

2. hold a valid Standard First-Aid Certificate;

3. hold a valid CPR LEVEL C Course Certificate (eight hours)

4. hold a Pleasure Craft Operator Card; and

5. hold a VHF Digital Selective Call (DSC) Restricted Maritime Radio Operator's Certificate.

6. hold a Bronze Cross swimming qualification (required for Newfoundland & Labrador Region).

7. hold a certificate from a boating course covering such subjects as chart work, coastal navigation, basic seamanship, etc. (required for Quebec Region).

Language Requirement:

English or French essential

Candidates must be fluent in French to work in Quebec region and fluent in English to work in all other regions.

Information to be provided:
You must provide the following information when submitting your application:

• Your résumé.

Additional Information and Conditions of Employment:

• Candidates must be able to provide their certificate from a boating course no later than the commencement of IRB training (required for Quebec Region).
  
  As a condition of employment candidates must successfully pass a Health Canada physical exam, a hearing exam and meet the necessary security standard (National Security Investigation)
  
  Information regarding pay and the provision of accommodations during training will be provided by regional CCG staff during the interview process.
  
  Coxswain (IRB Crew Supervisor) positions:
  In regions that employ students as coxswains, you must have at least one season of experience as a crew member in the IRB program.
  
  In some regions preference may be given to candidates with a minimum of two work terms of IRB crew experience.
  
  Training:
  In general, student IRB training begins shortly after the end of the school year. Training requirements vary between regions, but are generally provided by regional CCG staff over a one to two week period. Topics such as boat handling and seamanship, local coastal navigation, search and rescue operations (search techniques, communications, etc.) and more are covered. Upon completion of the training period, crewmembers are then assigned to an IRB station (See note below).
  
  Note: IRB operational requirements change from year to year, therefore CCG reserves the right to post students to any rescue station.
  
  Hours of Work:
  Hours of work vary according to region, but generally consist of seven to twelve hours days, on a seven or fourteen day schedule. As previously mentioned, each station is normally staffed with two IRB crews. While one crew is working, the other crew is on days of rest.
  
  Information regarding hours of work, pay, training and accommodations, will be provided by regional CCG staff during the interview process.
  
  To obtain more information on the Inshore Rescue Boat Program, please visit the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website.

Important messages

Successful completion of both an FSWEP work assignment and your educational program may lead to temporary or permanent federal public service positions for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Questions regarding travel and relocation.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Date modified:

2023-08-09