| While working for DFO, Rika Nason works on various projects and initiatives, focusing on research and conducting field experiments. Within the department, they've been giving opportunities to advance their skills and knowledge, including learning to navigate safety for vessels, updating their knowledge of marine invertebrates, expanding their knowledge of R and R Studio. They can also participate in meetings and training of interest such as 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, safety training, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, volunteering to improve recruitment initiatives to hire peoples with disabilities, etc.</big> | | While working for DFO, Rika Nason works on various projects and initiatives, focusing on research and conducting field experiments. Within the department, they've been giving opportunities to advance their skills and knowledge, including learning to navigate safety for vessels, updating their knowledge of marine invertebrates, expanding their knowledge of R and R Studio. They can also participate in meetings and training of interest such as 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, safety training, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, volunteering to improve recruitment initiatives to hire peoples with disabilities, etc.</big> |
| + | Fiona Wagner is an alumnus of Carleton University, where she graduated with a degree in Biology and Biotechnology. During her studies, Fiona started out as a research student in the Environmental Response Program at the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) before diving into Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). She gained momentum as a junior policy analyst in Ecosystems Management before establishing herself as a Species at Risk Biologist in Biodiversity Management. Fiona chose the Government of Canada as her employer to make a positive impact on the life of Canadians. |
| + | During her time with CCG, Fiona focused on researching marine oil pollution spill incidents and performing quality assurance on national tools. In DFO, she studied ways to enhance the tracking and measurement of fish mortality rates, and reduce the risk factors associated with the death of fish caused by the hydropower industry. More recently, she has worked closely on species at risk files and publications focused on marine and freshwater species, such as high-profile whales, sculpins, sticklebacks, mussels, and snails. |
| + | Outside of this work, she could work on numerous other projects with the flexibility offered to her in her roles. She has contributed to redesigning national recovery tools and processes, led university capstone projects, and collaborated in nationwide working groups while still able to pursue a personalized language and skills training plan. |
| + | She continues to broaden her involvement in countless projects that serve the meaningful purpose of supporting the recovery and protection of aquatic species at risk, and ultimately fostering positive impacts to important, real-world applications directly related to her field of study. |
| + | Fiona’s experience with Accessibility and Accommodations in the Federal Public Service has been a very positive one. By joining the Federal Government, a personal willingness to seek accommodation is promptly met with mutual willingness from managers to accommodate and support their employees as needed, helping to set them up for success. There are many ways to accommodate for an employee in our workplace by using a customized plan tailored to their unique needs to avoid a one-size fits all approach. |