Junior Greenhouse Engineer

Duties

The Research and Development Centre (RDC) in Harrow, Ontario, conducts multidisciplinary research on greenhouse crops, working in close collaboration with the industry focusing on development of energy efficient and environmental friendly climate control systems and strategies.

The Greenhouse Engineer position provides scientific innovation and development support on greenhouse environmental control and energy conservation technologies and strategies (greenhouse insulation/cover materials, heating, cooling, ventilation, dehumidification, CO2 enrichment, etc.).

The successful candidate will support a research program to evaluate various greenhouse glazing materials, new greenhouse designs, energy conversion systems, climate control systems, develop climate and root zone environmental control strategies, and decision support systems. The successful candidate will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop integrated and sustainable greenhouse crop production systems to increase energy efficiency, plant growth, yield and quality, improve microclimate for reducing plant diseases and insect pests, minimize energy inputs, and reduce environmental impacts. The successful candidate will work closely with greenhouse production and plant protection specialists, including OMAFRA extension specialists, to develop integrated solutions.

Work environment

As one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, AAFC is proud to celebrate our achievement in creating a diverse, respectful, and positive workplace where all employees are valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices and perspectives.

The Harrow Research and Development Centre was established in 1909 in Harrow, Ontario. It is the location of one of the largest greenhouse research complex facilities in North America. The Centre manages two field sites, one on sandy soils at Harrow and a second one on clay-loam soils at the Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Experimental Farm close to Woodslee, Ontario.

The Harrow Research and Development Centre leads research in several areas, including:
•Soybean and invasive species
•Greenhouse production systems
•Environmentally sustainable agro-ecosystems for full-season crops in great lakes watershed
•Crop production & protection systems

Intent of the process

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)

Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a degree in Mechanical, Agricultural or Environmental Systems Engineering, or an engineering specialty relevant to the duties of the position

Degree equivalency

Eligibility for certification as a Professional Engineer in Canada

Experience in participating in engineering projects as a student or graduate engineer
Experience in developing or scheduling projects related to energy use
Experience in participating in the establishment of statement of work or technical requirements for engineering projects, as a student or graduate engineer
Experience in planning, project proposal development, coordination and execution of activities applied to mechanical systems

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

Graduation with a Master’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in Agricultural Engineering

Degree equivalency

Experience with the operation and maintenance of farm equipment
Experience in assisting with the preparation and review of technical reports
Experience establishing and maintaining partnerships with the public, sector, industry or academia

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of controlled environment engineering to reduce environmental impacts
Knowledge of project management, design principles, practices and methods
Knowledge of greenhouse plant disease issues managed through controlled environmental engineering

Project Management
Planning and Organizing
Analytical Thinking
Writing Skills
Interactive Communication
Initiative
Teamwork

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

Placement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by workforce adjustment

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Possession of a valid driver’s licence or personal mobility to the degree normally associated with a valid driver’s licence

Ability and Willingness to travel

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.