Commerce Officers - Post-Secondary Recruitment

Important messages

The Public Service of Canada is committed to workplace inclusion. A workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated and respected, and where each person's talents and strengths are fully developed and utilized.

Creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued begins with self-identification. Help us to achieve this goal by identifying your employment equity group.

Give yourself the best chance to succeed!

If you have a limitation that may impact your performance during an assessment, such as a test or interview, you may require an accommodation. Assessment accommodations are designed to remove the obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so candidates with limitations can fully demonstrate their abilities.

To request an assessment accommodation or if you have questions, including the physical environment of the exam room, please contact us as soon as possible at

Each request will be individually reviewed. You will be asked to provide information regarding your limitations. If needed, professional documentation could be requested to determine the appropriate accommodation measures. For more information about assessment accommodation, please visit our website at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/assessment-accommodation-page.html

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Asset qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Education and experience qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide detailed examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

Duties

Commerce Officers are responsible for sector development and analysis within the agriculture and agri-food industry in Canada, and provide support to address issues impacting the competitiveness of the food processing sector.

A sample of what they do include, but are not limited to:
- Gather market intelligence on a specific sector;
- Update and prepare sectoral profiles;
- Support senior industry development officers in developing and executing outreach plans;
- Develop analytical reports on issues and trends impacting the agriculture and agri-food industry;
- Provide input on due diligence for project assessments;
- Create, analyze, and present program and project data to internal clients;
- Provide support for meetings, events and projects;
- Strategically engage with representatives from the agriculture and agri-food industry;
- Contribute to analysis and preparation of recommendations regarding market issues; and
- Prepare reports and briefing notes for senior management.

Work environment

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada provides leadership in the growth and development of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers based on its exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs. AAFC welcomes diverse applicants and strives to foster a supportive, respectful, fair and inclusive work environment where everyone's contributions and individual differences are acknowledged and appreciated.

Are you interested in a career where your skills, leadership and creativity are put to good use? Would you like to work in an exciting and diverse field, which includes working with a dynamic sector touching on all aspects of Canadian lives as well as consumers around the world? Do you want to work in a collaborative environment that has great benefits and a variety of future possibilities? If yes, then Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is a great fit for you!

Intent of the process

To establish a pool of qualified candidates, which will be used to staff CO-DEV or CO-01 positions within AAFC in Ottawa and potentially other locations.

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

Positions to be filled: 11

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION:
Graduation by May 2019, with a degree* from a recognized post-secondary institution with an acceptable specialization in: Business Administration, Public Administration, Commerce, Economics, Finance, Financial Accounting, Accounting, Management, Agriculture, Science, Agronomy, Engineering, Social Sciences, Sociology or Statistics or another degree relevant to the position.

*A degree is defined as a baccalaureate as established by educational institutions, or a degree at a higher level than a baccalaureate.

Candidates must always have a university degree in order to be appointed to the position. The courses for the specialization do not necessarily have to be part of a degree program in the required specialization. The specialization may also be obtained through an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience. AAFC has established the minimum course requirement as two full courses in economics, sociology or statistics.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCES:
Experience analyzing issues and in developing strategies or options;
Experience undertaking quantitative and qualitative analysis;
Experience researching, interpreting and analyzing information from a variety of sources.

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

Various language requirements
Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC, English Essential

Information on language requirements

Second Language Writing Skills Self-Assessment
In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your writing skills in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

For more information, please consult:
Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills

COMPETENCIES:
Written Communication
Demonstrating Integrity and Respect
Working Effectively with Others
Showing Initiative and Being Action Orientated
Thinking Things Through (Reasoning and Judgement)

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

EDUCATION:
Graduation, by May 2019, with a Master’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with an acceptable specialization in: Business Administration, Public Administration, Commerce, Economics, Finance, Financial Accounting, Accounting, Management, Agriculture or Social Sciences.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCES:
Experience researching and analyzing social, scientific or economic issues;
Experience interpreting or applying legislation or regulations;
Experience leading initiatives or projects;
Experience supporting consultations or negotiations with stakeholders;
Experience providing information to managers for the purpose of decision making;
Experience participating in economic development projects or programs;
Experience researching and writing analytical reports related to economic, policy, social or business development issues;
Experience assessing financial statements or business plans;
Experience working with clients and stakeholders;
Experience in conducting studies or research.

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

Information on employment equity

ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Willingness and ability to travel;
Willingness and ability to work overtime.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - or Secret security clearance

Tests

How and when will I be assessed?

- You will receive an unsupervised internet test (PSEE UIT 370) at the end of October 2018 to be completed within a five (5) day window.

- If you are successful at the unsupervised test, you will be invited to the supervised in-person test (PSEE 371) that will be administered starting in November 2018.

For more information on these tests, the testing process and assessment accommodation, please visit: canada.ca/post-secondary-recruitment

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

Candidates from outside the public service may be required to pay for travel and relocation costs associated with this selection process.

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.