Research Assistant – Natural Resources (Agro-ecology)

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

• Conducting laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments
• Collecting, preparing and analyzing soil, water, plant, organic amendment, air, microfauna, and macrofauna in support of ongoing research projects
• Managing all analyses, including operating various instruments, scheduling instrument use, maintaining analytical data archives, and ensuring quality control
• Participating in design and implementation of experiments by advising on effective use of all equipment and assisting in the statistical analyses and interpretation of data and manuscript/report preparation

Intent of the process

The intent of the process is to staff one (1) position on an indeterminate basis. A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions.

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 Diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in Agricultural or Environmental-related field of study. An acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience may also be considered.

Degree equivalency

• Experience providing technical support and leading projects in a research or laboratory environment.
• Experience planning and conducting laboratory or field experiments and contributing to experimental design.
• Experience collecting and performing analysis on environmental and biological samples.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

• Knowledge of experimental design and statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of agroecosystem related research methodologies, practices and principles.
• Knowledge of related laboratory methodologies, tools, theories, practices and principles.

• Planning and organizing.
• Interactive communication.
• Teamwork.
• Adaptability.
• Initiative.

• Ability to tabulate, interpret data, graph and summarize scientific results.

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

• Graduation with a Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with an acceptable specialization in agriculture sciences, plant science, biological sciences, or a related discipline.
• Graduation with a M.Sc. Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with an acceptable specialization in agriculture sciences, plant science, biological sciences, or a related discipline.

Degree equivalency

• Experience purchasing equipment and supplies and controlling inventory.
• Experience in the operation of farm machinery.

In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, Persons with a Disability; Visible Minorities, Women.

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 work overtime including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and this must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to work in a laboratory, greenhouse, field environments.
Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals.

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.