Biology Study Leader – Biological Control of Weeds

Important messages

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Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

Duties

On behalf of the Government of Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) provides leadership in the growth and development of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. Within this context, the Summerland Research and Development Centre (Summerland RDC) invites applications for a Biology Study Leader with specialization in the Biological Control of Invasive Weeds.

The Summerland Research and Development Centre was established in 1914, in the heart of the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, and is geographically located in a semi-arid eco-zone that is Canada’s most water challenged and yet most biologically diverse eco-region. This unique setting inspires researchers at the Centre to focus on sustainable crop production practices to help preserve and enhance the resilience of such sensitive environments within and across Canada.

The focus of the incumbent will be to conduct research in the biological control of invasive weeds of interest to the province of British Columbia, by actively contributing to AAFC’s capacity in research on weed biological control. The incumbent will contribute to the design, development and conduct of collaborative science activities in weed biological control; establish priorities with provincial clients for research targeting the establishment and long term impact of biological control agents in British Columbia; collect, compile, analyse and interpret research data from research studies; prepare written material for project applications for funding scientific research, scientific reports, and peer-reviewed publications reporting on research activities; supervise and coordinate the activities of technical assistants and/or students, including monitoring work in progress and evaluating performance, and interpreting results of their scientific efforts. The incumbent will providing expert advice on specific biological control agents and advise a broad range of science clients in the province on weed biological control.

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.

Within the AAFC context described above, the incumbent will be part of a multidisciplinary team of scientists and professionals (i.e. entomologists, ecologists, pest management specialists, etc.) and will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories.

The Biological Control Laboratory, where the incumbent will be based, focuses on the biological control of both invasive insect pests and invasive weeds, is led by a Research Scientist and includes technical support staff and students. The incumbent will have the opportunity to collaborate both internally with AAFC Scientists and Professionals, as well as stakeholders in the invasive plant community and academia.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff one position for a period of four(4) years. This position is Sunset funded and thus shall not count as part of the cumulative working period for rollover purposes.

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar permanent and temporary opportunities.

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)

Graduation with an acceptable Master’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a biological science or relevant discipline such as entomology, ecology, forestry or plant sciences.

Degree equivalency

Experience in the design and conduct of scientific research as it relates to the ecology of plants, insects or plant-insect interactions.

Experience in research related to biological control of insects or weeds.

Experience working with statistical analysis of ecological data sets using a statistical software/platform (i.e. R, SAS, SPSS).

Documented scientific productivity or recognition in the form of authorship/ editorship of research results in the specialization related to this position in recognized journals and/or published reports, books, papers, or other communications resulting from scientific research; and in the form of presentations to scientific and public audiences.

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

Graduation with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in the field of entomology, biology/ecology, forestry, plant sciences or other relevant discipline.

Degree equivalency

Experience in insect rearing.

Experience working in an insect quarantine laboratory.

Experience in research specifically related to the biological control of weeds using arthropods.

Experience interacting with industry and other stakeholders to garner support and research direction.

Experience in supervision of technical support staff and/or students.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of biological control of weeds.
Knowledge of field entomology sampling methods and equipment for assessing changes in insect or plant populations.
Knowledge of insect and plant identification.

Adaptability
Initiative
Teamwork
Interactive communication

Ability to design field and laboratory experiments on insect herbivores and insect plant-interactions.

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

Placement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by Work Force Adjustment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Possession of a valid driver’s license or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the possession of a valid driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory or office for extended periods at a time.

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.

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.