Biology Study Leader – Soil Health and Fertility Development

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

Designing, developing and conducting collaborative science activities to develop farming systems to promote soil health and enhance productivity in support of soil science programs; developing soil in the Peace River region and ensuring optimal nutrient supply for crops.

Collecting, compiling, analysing and interpreting research data from research studies. Coordinating and/or supervising technical assistants, temporary staff and/or students allocated to the studies including monitoring work in progress and evaluating performance, and interpreting results of their scientific efforts.

Actively contributing to AAFC’s Environment Health network; providing expert advice; acting as the scientific authority for the Peace River region; and reviewing scientific literature to maintain knowledge of current research and new research methodologies.

Work environment

The Peace River region is a large northern farming area currently limited to crops amenable to a short growing season. Soil types vary from soils amenable to oilseed and cereal culture to marginal grey wooded soils which can only support forage grass crops. Developing soil in this part of the Canadian Prairies and ensuring optimal nutrient supply for crops are two of the most pressing needs in developing productive, sustainable farming systems and preparing the Peace River region for climate change. Nutrient deficiencies limit yields, impair soil health; and affect crop quality; excess nutrients, conversely, can leak into adjacent environments, damaging the quality of air, water, and soil. Moreover, because supplemental nutrients represent one of the largest input costs, their efficiency of use is closely tied to economic performance.

The Biology Study Leader will manage the Soil Health and Fertility Development program and will focus on establishing a field-based research program to develop farming systems to promote soil health and enhance productivity while minimizing nutrient losses. The program would emphasize efficient use and recycling of nutrients applied via fertilizers, manures, green manures, N2-fixing symbioses, and crop residues, and would promote a systems perspective, linking ongoing research in soil science led by scientists in research and development centres, agronomy, animal science, and plant science. Where possible, it would examine scales beyond small plots and also consider landscapes and spatial variability within them.

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 1 full time permanent position.

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

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, and there is a temporary need, he/she may be considered for acting, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

Positions to be filled: 1

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)

Graduation with an acceptable master’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in the field of soil science, agronomy, or related discipline.

Degree equivalency

Experience in conducting and interpreting experiments investigating nutrient dynamics in managed ecosystems.
Experience in conducting research to enhance nutrient use efficiency in farming systems.
Experience in conducting field based research to develop farming systems.

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

Experience in use of models to assess nutrient use and efficiency.
Experience managing multi-year projects with associated human resources, budgetary, and planning functions.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of the cycles of nitrogen and other nutrients in agricultural ecosystems.
Knowledge of northern Canadian farming systems.
Knowledge of the pathways whereby nutrients from farm fields and livestock operations can be lost to the environment.
Knowledge of current scientific methods for measuring nutrient dynamics in farming systems.

Interactive Communication
Teamwork
Adaptability
Creativity

Ability to interact with stakeholders and work collaboratively to garner research support and direction.
Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team to bring a system perspective.

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.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
Ability and willingness to work overtime, including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work in various environmental and weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory or office for extended periods at a time.
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals and 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

ASSESSMENT 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).

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.