Supervisor, Forage Seed Production - AMENDMENT to CLOSING DATE

Important messages

UPDATE
Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to November 13, 2017 - 23:59, Pacific Time.

Duties

Under the supervision of the Farm Operations Manager and SIU Lead Biologist, the incumbent will be responsible for:
• The production of Breeder Seed of Forage crop varieties, including:
 - developing operational plans;
 - ensuring compliance with pedigreed seed regulations and provisions of the unit’s Quality Management System;
• The operation, calibration and maintenance of plot equipment, for the Seed Increase Unit (SIU), including tractors, seeders, granular spreader, sprayers, mowers and combines;
• Preparing experimental materials such as seed, soil, and plant, samples for laboratory analysis and assist with sample processing activities and maintain records;
• Recognizing abnormalities, insects, weeds and disease in field and plots and recommending a course of action;
• Explaining work procedures, setting schedules and assigning tasks to skilled/unskilled labours;
• Instructing/monitoring the work of casual workers and summer students.

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 permanant 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 in pedigreed seed production.
Experience organizing material and equipment needs.
Experience calibrating, operating and maintaining specialized small-plot equipment, such as plot seeders and combines and other field equipment.
Experience operating and maintaining modern farm machinery and seed conditioning equipment.
Experience handling, mixing, and applying agricultural chemical products, such as fertilizers and pesticides.

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

Graduation with a degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in agriculture or a related field.

Degree equivalency

Experience working in a Registered Seed Establishment.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of farm production practices such as land and crop management techniques.
Knowledge of pure seed production (e.g., conditioning principles, methods and technology).
Knowledge of forage production.
Knowledge of fertilizer and pesticide application.

Adaptability
Concern for safety
Interactive communication
Teamwork

Ability to identify various forage crop seeds.
Ability to supervise staff, set priorities, and schedule work.

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

Canadian Seed Institute certification as a Licensed Operator and Accredited Grader for Grade Table Groups 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Pesticide Applicator’s License issued by a provincial or territorial certified agency.
Forklift Operator’s License issued by a provincial or territorial certified agency.

Knowledge of pedigreed seed Quality Management Systems as outlined in Circular-6 by Canadian Seed Growers Association.

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 obtain and maintain a Pesticide Applicator’s license, issued by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (normally acquired within one year).
Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a forklift operator license from a provincially certified agency (normally acquired within one year).
Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a Canadian Seed Institute certification to become a Licensed Operator and Accredited Grader for Grade Table Groups 1, 2, 3 & 4 (normally acquired within three years).
Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to walk for up to two hours while maintaining visual concentration.
Ability and willingness to perform physically demanding work activities including moderate to heavy manual labour requiring bending and lifting heavy objects (up to 30kg).
Ability and willingness to work extended periods outdoors, under harsh environmental conditions (dust, hot, cold, noise, and insects).
Under normal safety precautions, able and willing to work with hazardous materials.
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.