Physical Scientist (Geomatics)

Duties

The GIS specialist provides support and advice to a team of science professionals and technicians working in the areas of high-value horticultural crops (mainly tree fruit and wine grapes), environmental science, pest management and food science. Specifically the work includes:
1. Collecting, analyzing, interpreting, assessing and reporting on GIS data for various research programs;
2. Providing GIS support for the development of geodatabases for the spatial distribution of pests, running models with spatially distributed data related to environmental issues and mapping of data such as climate in highly complex terrains;
3. Investigating and providing advice on data/software/hardware and/or GIS systems for scientific analyses; and
4. Supporting centre needs and care of associated GIS software and hardware such as support and training on the use of GIS software and hardware, on-site and off-site mapping for field use and pesticide applications, and processing requests for large flatbed printing of maps and posters.

Work environment

On behalf of the Government of Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) provides leadership in the growth and development of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. Within this context, the Summerland Research and Development Centre (SuRDC) invites applications for a Research Scientist position with specialization in Systems Agro-Ecology. The Centre, located in Summerland BC (Okanagan Region), conducts world-class research in the area of sustainable production of high-value horticultural crops.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is for one indeterminate 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.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

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 with a baccalaureate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, with acceptable specialization in remote sensing, geomatics, geography, earth sciences, environment, agriculture, climatology or some other science relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience in the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) software (principally ESRI ArcGIS) for the management and analysis of spatial and non-spatial data sets.
Experience in the use of scripting or programming languages (e.g. python, EASI/PACE, R, others) for data processing and analysis.
Experience in managing GIS software licencing and hardware and in making recommendations to management on required software and hardware upgrades as they become necessary.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of the principles and methods of GIS.

Analytical thinking
Initiative
Teamwork
Interactive Communication
Adaptability

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

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

Post-graduate diploma or degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, with acceptable specialization in geography, climatology, earth sciences, environment, agriculture, geomatics or some other science relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience preparing technical documents, research papers or scientific presentations.
Experience in applying project management principles.
Experience with analytical procedures for assessing geospatial data for trends and risks to the environment.
Experience with open-source GIS software such as QGIS, GRASS, SAGA or others.
Experience working with scientific programming/coding (e.g. R Statistical Language, MATLAB, SAS, Visual Basic, C/C++, Java).

Knowledge of predictive (ecosystem or soil) mapping approaches and techniques.

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

Valid driver’s licence
Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to conduct occasional field work.
Ability and willingness to occasionally work outdoors in inclement and/or variable conditions.
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.

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.