Nutrient Cycling

Duties

The incumbent will be required to manage field and laboratory components of a nutrient cycling program that includes collection and analysis of soil, water, snowmelt runoff and plant samples. The incumbent will develop sampling plans for existing or future field and/or greenhouse studies of nutrient cycling and transport in soil, water, snowmelt runoff and plants, including sample collection, transportation, processing, and storage to maintain sample integrity at all stages of the process.

The incumbent will oversee an analytical chemistry laboratory with a focus on phosphorus chemistry. This will involve analyzing samples with a wide range of methods and equipment, including but not limited to: digestion block, muffle furnace, spectrophotometer, freeze-dryer, TOC/TN analyzer; and centrifuges. The incumbent will be expected to learn existing laboratory protocols, develop protocols for new analyses as needed, and train others (including technicians and students) on all laboratory protocols. The incumbent will be responsible for managing safety in the laboratory and in the field, including but not limited to training; chemical storage, handling and disposal; and equipment use. The incumbent will also manage personnel and resources such as ordering supplies and equipment maintenance.

The incumbent will be required to manage large, multi-year data sets. This will include, but is not limited to: compiling data collected by various personnel; ensuring quality control from one year to the next or from one person to the next; and managing data in large projects with multiple collaborators. The incumbent will also assist with the preparation of technical reports (e.g. reports, bulletins, conference posters or papers, or scientific publications), including with statistical analysis, preparation of figures, and writing up methods sections.

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.

Intent of the process

Immediate staffing need: 1 full time permanent position
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.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, and there is a temporary need, he/she may be considered for acting or assignment/secondment opportunities.

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.

Degree equivalency

Experience managing projects (personnel and resources) in a research or laboratory environment.
Experience collecting soil or water or plant samples.
Experience performing chemical analyses on soil or water or plant samples.
Experience managing large multi-year data sets.
Experience assisting in technical writing (reports, technical bulletins, posters or scientific papers).

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of laboratory methodologies relating to soil and water chemistry.
Knowledge of soil and water chemistry.

Concern for Safety
Planning and Organizing
Teamwork

Ability to use scientific instruments and tools.
Ability to adapt scientific techniques and methodologies.
Ability to make observations to ensure that data is collected and recorded accurately.
Ability to analyze results statistically.
Ability to assist with technical writing (reports, technical bulletins, posters or scientific papers).

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

Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in chemistry, biology, agricultural or a related field.
Graduation with a post-graduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in chemistry, environmental science, soil science, microbiology, natural resources, biology, or a related program.

Degree equivalency

Experience managing an analytical laboratory.
Experience managing field projects.
Experience managing collaborative research projects.
Experience designing experiments.
Experience developing methodologies/tools.

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 work force adjustment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid Driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to work overtime.
Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
With appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse and field for extended periods at a time; able and willing to work outdoors under various weather conditions and under normal safety precautions able and willing to work with hazardous materials.

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.