Working Level Labourer

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to March 27, 2019 - 23:59, Pacific Time.

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

Plant, maintain and harvest agricultural crops under experimentation in fields, greenhouses and growth chambers.

Operates specialized equipment such as tractors, tillage machines, combines, seeders, fertilizer spreaders, pesticide sprayers, fleet vehicles and transporting heavy equipment.

Collects, records and labels experimental data in accordance with research technician’s and supervisor’s instructions and guidelines.

Maintains records of pesticides and nutrient applications.

Maintains and repairs work areas.

Work environment

The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre was established in 1912 in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.

The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre helps the Canadian horticultural sector to remain competitive and sustainable by developing original knowledge, tools and know-how, primarily in the fields of horticultural crop protection with an approach biovigilance and precision horticulture. The center is very supportive of the departmental priority to "Develop new knowledge, foster innovation and increase the adoption and commercialization of agri-food and agro-industrial products, practices or processes."

The Center is a participating site of the Minor Use Pesticides Program, which aims to minimize the impact of the agricultural industry on the environment, while improving the pre- and post-harvest quality of crops. It is one of the most important experimental sites for the Pest Control Centre's registration requests for the Minor Use Pesticide Program, with a team of biologists and their technicians. This research corresponds with industry needs in Quebec and Canada.

Facilities at the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre

• Three research sub-stations at L'Acadie, Sainte-Clotilde and at Frelighsburg (Quebec). These sites comprise a total of 245 hectares, characterized by clay and muck soils.
• Resources: laboratories, greenhouses, growth chambers, cold rooms and a spraying room, all of which have leading-edge equipment.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff two (2) positions in Saint-Clotilde de Chateauguay and two (2) positions in Frelighsburg. Three (3) more positions are anticipatory in eithier Saint-Clotilde de Chateauguay (Qc), St-Jean-sur-Richelieu (Qc) (L'Acadie area) or Frelighsburg (Qc).

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar seasonal full time/part-time permanent and temporary employment but also for casual and part-time workers under the Part-Time Work Exclusion Approval Order; for the location indicated.

Positions to be filled: 4

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

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

Secondary school diploma OR an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

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

Experience working in plant production (vegetables, fruits, field crops).

Recent* and significant** experience working under varying climatic conditions.

Experience in the use of manual and power tools including field maintenance equipment.

*Recent experience is defined as experience acquired over the last five (5) years.

** Significant experience** refers to experience whose scope and richness normally equal the performance of the tasks for approximately one (1) year.

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

Experience working in a scientific research environment.

Experience in the use of farm tractors and agricultural machinery.

Experience in the repair and preventive maintenance of tractors, farm tools and agricultural and mechanical equipment.

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

French essential

Information on language requirements

General knowledge of vegetables and fruit production and field crops.

Knowledge of seedbed preparation methods, weed control and crop residue management.

Knowledge of the use and application of agricultural chemicals.

Interactive communication
Adaptability
Initiative
Teamwork
Concern for safety

Ability to maintain maintenance records.

Ability to interpret a field plan.

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.

Possession of a valid Pesticide Applicator Certificate or be able and willing to obtain the pesticide application certificate.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid driver’s licence.

Ability and willingness to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

Ability and willingness to work in harsh environments (outdoors, cold, hot, dust, and noise).

Ability and willingness to tolerate the presence of irritants such as dust, pollen and spores.

Known allergies must be controlled through use of protective masks and/or medication and must not impinge on tasks to be performed.

Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.

Ability and willingness to do repetitive work

Ability and willingness to perform physically demanding work activities including moderate to heavy manual labour requiring bending and lifting heavy objects. (Up to 20 kg).

Willingness to work with unconventional methods to meet the needs of science.

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.