Research Technician - Various Positions

Work environment

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is driving innovation and ingenuity to build a world leading agricultural economy for the benefit of all Canadians. This drive for modernization can be seen from the farmer to the consumer and through all phases of producing, processing and marketing of farm, food and bio-based products.

The Impact You Make

As a Research Technician, you will work alongside scientists from across Canada who specialize in a range of agri-products and agri-foods, covering all aspects of food production, from the field to the fork. Topics of research in Ontario and Quebec include but not limited to:
• food quality and safety;
• the potential for conventional foods to offer nutritional and other therapeutic benefits; and
• methods to reduce food-borne biological and chemical hazards that may be present in farm commodities, fresh market and processed foods.

The Research and Development Centres in Ontario and Quebec conduct innovative research, development and technology transfer activities relevant to numerous AAFC Sector Science Strategies where as a Research Technician you may work in a laboratory, field, greenhouse, or pilot plant environment.

What We Can Offer You

As a Research Technician you will:
• work in a diverse and collaborative environment, with emphasis on growth and innovation;
• work with creative and motivated individuals; and
• enjoy a benefits program (Public Service Dental Care Plan and Public Service Health Care Plan) for you and your family, a defined benefit pension plan and the services of our Employee and Family Assistance Program.

Intent of the process

This process will be used to staff various EG-03 and EG-04 Research Technician positions with AAFC in Ontario and Quebec.

Depending on the position being staffed, additional qualifications may be required by the hiring manager(s). Applicants will be provided the opportunity to submit information relevant to any additional qualifications that may be applied.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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)

Here are some of the things we are looking for at the EG-03 and EG-04 level:

• You have obtained a College diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution OR an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience in one of the following fields:

o Agronomy; Animal Science; Biology; Computer Science; Entomology; Environmental Science; Food Science; Food Processing; Food Engineering; Geomatics; Microbiology; Natural Resources; Plant Biology; Soil Science; Water Science or a related agricultural program or other specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position

Important Note: Please be advised that if you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. You are encouraged to begin this process as soon as possible.

Degree equivalency

• You have experience in the operation and maintenance of laboratory, field, greenhouse or pilot plant equipment.
• You have experience in providing technical support in a field, greenhouse, pilot plant, research or laboratory environment.
• You have experience in making observations, collecting and recording data accurately.

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

Depending on the position requirements, operational requirements may include but are not limited to the following:

- Possession of a valid driver’s license
- Ability and willingness to work overtime
- Ability and willingness to work flexible hours
- Ability and willingness to travel
- Ability and willingness to wear protective clothing and/or equipment and follow safety precautions.
- Ability and willingness to work in a confined environment
- 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
- Ability and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse, field and/or pilot plant for extended periods at a time
- Ability and willingness to work under various weather conditions
- Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials and/or chemicals

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

Various language requirements
Proficient in English, French or are bilingual (BBB/BBB Imperative)

Information on language requirements

If you are interested in the EG-04 level, your application should also demonstrate that:

• You have experience in planning and conducting laboratory, field, greenhouse, or pilot plant experiments and contributing to experimental design.
• You have experience in drafting reports, technical bulletins, contributing to scientific papers or posters.
• You have experience in interpreting and analyzing results.

Here are additional criteria we are looking for at the EG-03 and EG-04 level:

• Adaptable to change, are willing to take initiative, have a concern for safety, and work well with others.
• Demonstrate good written and oral communication skills.

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

We would be interested to know if you have a degree (bachelor) or master's or doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the specializations listed:

o Agronomy; Animal Science; Biology; Computer Science; Entomology; Environmental Science; Food Science; Food Processing; Food Engineering; Geomatics; Microbiology; Natural Resources; Plant Biology; Soil Science; Water Science or a related agricultural program or other specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position

Degree equivalency

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Other conditions of employment may be added depending on the position being staffed.

Other information

GENERAL:

-Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply through the "Apply online" link below through GC Jobs.

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

We will contact you by e-mail and/or via your GC Jobs jobs account. Please ensure that your e-mail address is valid and accepts messages from unknown users. It is your responsibility to regularly check your e-mail and jobs account for communications regarding this selection process. Should we contact you and you fail to reply within the designated time frames, your application may not be considered further.

HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED:

-All the information collected during the process, from the time you apply until the end of the process, may be used as part of your assessment.
- Applicants with disabilities: If you have disabilities preventing you from applying on-line please contact 1-800-645-5605. If you require special accommodation at any stage in the selection process, including technical aid or an alternative method of assessment to ensure an equitable assessment of your qualifications, please inform us as soon as possible.

PHASE 1: Screening of applications

The information you provide regarding your essential education and experience will be used to determine if you are further assessed. Only those candidates that meet those requirements will be contacted for further assessment.

PHASE 2: Validating educational credentials and second language abilities

a) Proof of Education: You will be asked to provide proof of your Canadian education credentials in the form of a diploma/degree or official transcript. Important: Please see hyperlink ‘Degree equivalency’ earlier in this poster if you went to school outside of Canada.

b) Second language evaluation (SLE) – This only applies if you are interested in bilingual positions. If you have valid results, you will be asked to provide proof. If you need to be retested or have never had a second language evaluation, we will schedule the reading and writing tests. If you are successful on the reading and writing and meet all other essential merit criteria for the process then you will be scheduled for an oral evaluation.

PHASE 3: Candidate Achievement Record (CAR)

What is a CAR? It is a document that will be sent by email to those that have met all screening criteria. In the CAR you will provide examples of how you meet the following competencies: Adaptability, Initiative as well as Written Communication. You will also be required to include the name of a person that can validate your example(s).

PHASE 4: Interviews and Questionnaire

a) Interviews: Those who meet the requirements of phase 1 to 3 will move onto the interview phase where candidates will be assessed on the following competencies: Initiative, Teamwork, Concern for Safety and Oral Communication.

b) Asset Qualification Questionnaire: This questionnaire will be provided to you by email and is your opportunity to provide details as to where, when and how you obtained additional targeted experience qualifications for various Research Technician specializations.

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.