Farm Labourer - Greenhouse

Duties

Under the direction of the Greenhouse & Growth Chamber Manager the General Labourer:

Maintains the watering and greenhouse atmospheric conditions of greenhouses and growth chambers by monitoring and operating systems which control the environmental conditions for those spaces for research materials such as plants or seeds according to research protocols including insect pests, temperature, humidity, disease and maintenance activities such as watering, spraying of pesticides and fertilizers.

Monitors growth patterns of research crops, pollinates and breeds research plants, mixes soils, pots plants and seeds, checks for abnormalities and pests; determines appropriate course of action within the parameters of the experiment design in discussion with Technician or Supervisor.

Other general duties include collecting and labeling samples, recording data and keeping records of supplies associated with greenhouses and growth chambers activities; cleans and disinfects pots, tools, greenhouses and growth chambers which contribute to hygienic conditions required in a research facility.

Work environment

The employee will report to a Greenhouse Manager working with a team of 2 other co-workers on a rotating work schedule (to include weekends) and call-back for emergencies related to changes in controlled environmental conditions. The team supports a number of research initiatives centred on the potato, particularly the potato variety development program.

Intent of the process

Immediate staffing need: 1 or more full-time permanent positions.

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar permanent and temporary employment for the location indicated for this process.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

A secondary school diploma OR an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience

Degree equivalency

*Recent and **relevant experience in plant care including pest management, plant maintenance and propagation.

*Recent is defined as an experience that was executed for approximately two years in the past five years.
**Relevant is defined as an experience gained at a commercial, research or institutional agricultural enterprise

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

Diploma or certificate in nursery and/or greenhouse production management, plant science or horticulture from a recognized agricultural education program.

Possession of a valid New Brunswick Pesticide Applicators Certificate.

Degree equivalency

*Recent and **relevant experience working in an agricultural research environment
*Recent and **relevant experience in the operation of environmental control systems
Experience by way of training in greenhouse management or plant propagation.

*Recent is defined as an experience that was executed for approximately two years in the past five years.
**Relevant is defined as an experience gained at a commercial, research or institutional agricultural enterprise.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of modern horticultural practices, plant maintenance and growing conditions in controlled environments.
Knowledge of greenhouse fertilizers and pest control products including preparation and application.
Knowledge of the main greenhouse crop pests and diseases.

Teamwork
Initiative
Adaptability
Planning and organizing

Ability to perform dosage and dilution calculations for preparing pesticide solutions.
Ability to record information for the purposes of record-keeping – accurately and legibly.
Ability to detect signs and symptoms of crop stress, pests and/or diseases.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Ability and willingness to work on rotating schedules for weekends.
Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings, weekends and statutory holidays.
Ability and willingness to work under variable environmental conditions.
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals and pesticides.
Ability and willingness to do occasional heavy lifting up to 60 lbs.
Ability and willingness to acquire Pesticide Applicators Certificate.
Possession of a valid driver's license or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the possession of a valid driver's license.
Known allergies must be controlled through use of protective mask and/or medication and must not impinge on tasks to be performed.

Other information

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.jobs.gc.ca.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
- Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience.
- Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications.

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.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

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