Research Assistant - AMENDMENT TO CLOSING DATE - Research Affiliate Program

Work environment

To date, riparian health analyses on agricultural landscapes in New Brunswick have been done without the ability to reliably delineate the riparian extents. It is common for there to be little natural riparian vegetation in place to assist in identifying the riparian extents, compounding the problem. Challenges we are facing include: 1) developing a GIS-based protocol to accurately delineate the riparian area in agricultural landscapes 2) understanding the differences in usefulness between the various data sources and resolutions

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) helps ensure the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products industries can compete in domestic and international markets, deriving economic returns to the sector and the Canadian economy as a whole. Through its work, the Department strives to help the sector maximize its long-term profitability and competitiveness, while respecting the environment and the safety and security of Canada's food supply. The activities of the Department extend from the farmer to the consumer, from the farm to global markets, through all phases of producing, processing and marketing of agriculture and agri-food products.

The successful candidate will join a diverse research team to work on the project titled “Reducing sediment, N and P loading from arable cropping systems to receiving waters in eastern Canada (PEI, NB, NS, QC)”. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and enhancing a GIS-based protocol to delineate riparian areas on agricultural landscapes.

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)

Currently enrolled/or willing to enroll in a Master’s program in the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick.

The project is collaborating with the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick. Only students at UNB will have access to resources provided by UNB that are critical to the success of the project. Also, the project involves year round field work in a site about 250km away from our station. Only students at UNB will be able to do both the course work required for the degree and the field work.

Some specializations in several areas of study: Specializations related to riparian science in (1) Agri-environmental related sciences, (2) plant science, (3) GIS technology, (4) drone technology, (5) image analysis (6) hydrology

Degree equivalency

Experience in agri-environmental related lab or field work.
Experience on using program coding in data analysis or modeling.
Experience in spatial analyses, with capability and experience to acquire geo-references and process aerial images obtained with drones or digital camera.
Experience with analyzing a large number of geo-referenced aerial or other forms of digital images, and extract high resolution 3D topographic models and other 3D features.
Experience in drone operation.
Experience in delineating riparian areas with different data sources.

** Please note that experience could have been acquired through your studies, work experience or volunteer activities.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of biophysical and hydrological processes in agricultural landscapes, hydrometeorology, forest hydrology, soil science.
Knowledge of riparian ecosystems and riparian vegetation

Teamwork
Interactive Communication

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

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment, and therefore will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-relevant documents.

- Valid driver’s license
- Ability and willingness to travel and work in remote locations such as field sites located hundreds of kilometers away from headquarter.
- Ability and willingness to work in both field and laboratory settings.
- Ability and willingness to work overtimes, including weekends.

Other information

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.canada.ca.

Successful completion of both a RAP work assignment and your educational program may lead to a temporary or permanent federal public service position for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.

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 Canadian citizens.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.