Research Farm Operations Manager

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request special accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

Tips for candidates who wish to apply:
• The application process will take approximately 40 to 60 minutes to complete.
• When submitting your application, please provide complete and thorough details of your education and experience. The system will prompt you with specific questions for each qualification, so ensure to answer the questions, if applicable.
• When answering the questionnaire, do not assume that the hiring board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history. You must be specific and provide concrete examples and details for each experience and education element, as applications will be screened on the information provided. Your résumé will only be used as a secondary source to validate the qualifications described.

Duties

Planning and preparing operational plans concerning agricultural farm operations: planning feed requirements for the year; developing the annual crop plan; monitoring the crop plan.

Coordinating and scheduling barn research activities in accordance with the availability of human, animal, logistical and budgetary resources.

Agricultural operations budgeting for the three departments: dairy, swine, farm; monitoring expenditures and revenue generated by the agricultural operations: dairy, animal and crop surplus; preparing bid solicitation and procurement documents; technical specifications for equipment replacement and custom work.

Planning and managing human resources: staffing and competitions; maintaining labour relations; documenting grievance responses; performance management; managing employee learning plans; managing talent management plans, managing corrective action plans following unsatisfactory performance; promoting workforce engagement around operational plans.

Relationships with internal clients: researchers, research assistants.
Relationships with external clients: researchers from other research centres, producers, industry stakeholders.

Creating and maintaining data bases on agricultural work, crops, dairy and swine herds, labour, work schedules and research projects.

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.

The Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre was established in 1914 in Sherbrooke, in the Eastern Townships region of Quebec. The centre is the only Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research centre specialized in innovative research primarily for the Canadian dairy and swine industries.

The centre leads research in three key areas:
•Environmental sustainability
•Dairy and swine production systems
•Dairy and swine health and welfare

Intent of the process

The immediate intent of this process is to fill one (1) indeterminate full time position in Sherbrooke, Québec.

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar permanent and/or temporary employment for the locations indicated for this process.

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

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Bachelor degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field related to agriculture such as:
-Bachelor in Bioagronomy
-Bachelor of Agronomy
o animal productions
o vegetable productions
o soils and environment
-Bachelor in Agroeconomy or Economics and Agribusiness Management
-Bachelor of Agri-Environmental Engineering or Rural Engineering

Or any other field / specialty / program in agriculture that is relevant and related to the duties of the position

Degree equivalency

Significant experience* supervising and managing staff, which includes training, conducting appraisals, setting priorities, and managing work schedules.

Significant professional experience * working in business management or projects in animal production (dairy and / or pig production).

Nota:*Significant experience will be evaluated in regard to complexity, diversity, and level of autonomy demonstrated. Significant experience would normally be acquired through full-time performance of the duties over a period of three (3) years.

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

A master’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in agriculture.

Degree equivalency

Work experience in vegetable production

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

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of dairy and swine productions and forage crops.

Client focus
Interactive communication
Adaptability
Project management
Planning and organizing
Teamwork

Ability to use Microsoft Excel.

Ability to supervise a team.

Writing skills

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

Knowledge of project management software.

Knowledge of standards and regulations that apply to environmental standards related to agriculture and animal welfare in Quebec and Canada.

Knowledge of experimental trials planning in fields or with farm animals.

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Preference may be given to AAFC employees affected by workforce adjustment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid driver’s license.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the targeted groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

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.

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A test may be administered.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada thanks all those who apply.

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.