Collections manager of the Canadian Clonal Genebank

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 specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers. We welcome all applicants and strongly encourage candidates to self-declare if they belong to an Employment Equity designated group (i.e. Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities or Women).

Duties

• Under the supervision of the Associate Director for Biodiversity and Collections, manages the operations linked to the Canadian Clonal Genebank; supervises and trains highly specialised technicians; oversees the purchases of material and equipment and manages the unit’s budget;
• Develops, leads and conducts projects for the maintenance, characterization, evaluation, documentation, acquisition and distribution of germplasm; oversees and updates the information in the central database pertaining to the collection which is used by several stakeholders;
• Develops curatorial techniques and analytical methodologies;
• Communicates and collaborates with stakeholders (including regulatory bodies, university or government researchers, plant breeders, pest management specialists) nationally and internationally to provide advice and support in the effort linked to conservation of collections and to provide expertise in the associated field; communicates on an ongoing basis with the clients.

Work environment

The Biological Collections Division (BCD) is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) virtual centres – a national repository of genetic material of plant, microbial and animal origin, and of preserved biological specimens (vascular plants, fungi and invertebrates).
It includes the Plant Gene Resources of Canada (PGRC), the Canadian national repository for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture preserved and distributed mostly as seeds but also as cuttings, tubers or vegetative tissue. Part of the PGRC, the Canadian Clonal Genebank, located in Harrow, Ontario is responsible for conserving, characterizing, virus indexing and distributing fruit trees and small fruit germplasm.

Intent of the process

The immediate intent of this process is to staff one (1) Indeterminate position, with a Bilingual Imperative (BBB/BBB) profile. If there are no qualified candidates who meet the minimum language profile (BBB/BBB), management may consider staffing the position on a Bilingual Non-Imperative basis (BBB/BBB) without re-advertising.

A pool of qualified and partially qualified candidates will be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures.

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 a bachelor degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in horticulture, plant breeding, or other fields relevant to the duties of the position.

IF YOU HAVE FOREIGN CREDENTIALS, please follow the link below for information on how to obtain a degree equivalency. You must obtain an equivalency, at your own expense, in order to be considered for appointment into the public service.

Degree equivalency

Extensive(*) experience in clonal propagation, preservation and regeneration of plant material.

Experience in the application of standards and best practices pertinent to the maintenance of biological collections;

Experience in data handling and data management;

Experience in the management/supervision of technical support staff.

(*)Extensive experience is defined as the depth and breadth of the experience normally associated with having performed a broad range of various, complex related activities on a full time basis for a period of 2 years.

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

Asset qualifications

Graduation with a Master’s or PhD degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a discipline related to the position

Degree equivalency

Experience in the management of biological collections

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

Various language requirements
Bilingual Imperative - BBB/BBB, Bilingual Non-Imperative - BBB/BBB

IMPORTANT NOTE: If there are no qualified candidates who meet the minimum language profile of BBB/BBB, management may consider staffing the position on a Bilingual Non-Imperative (BBB/BBB) basis without re-advertising.

Information on language requirements

In-depth knowledge of the principles, theories and practices of clonal propagation, plant physiology and genetics;

In-depth knowledge of international standards and Canadian acts and regulations applicable to the maintenance of biological collections, the handling of specimens and the sharing of material;

Knowledge of inventory, cataloguing and documentation techniques for the efficient preservation of biological collections;

Knowledge of the major issues that can affect live or preserved collections (for example: identity preservation, contamination, pests and pathogens, etc.) and current methods for addressing them.

Attention to detail

Relationship Building

Planning and organization

Analytical thinking

Team Leadership

Ability to present scientific content orally and in writing to various audiences.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Ability and willingness to travel

Ability and willingness to work irregular work hours

Ability and willingness to work with live or preserved biological samples, microorganisms or plants treated with pesticides.

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 designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

ASSESSEMENT INFORMATION

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.

Various assessment tools may be used, such as, standardized tests, interviews, references, board member knowledge, etc.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

A random and/or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

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.

A test may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Asset qualifications may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

APPLICATION & CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION

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, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

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