Coordinating Biologist

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

The incumbent, in collaboration with centre partners (Federal, Provincial, Industry, University), will be responsible to plan, develop, and conduct research and development activities in field crops/higher-value crops and varieties under irrigated conditions.

The incumbent will be responsible to develop and evaluate sustainable, water and energy saving, irrigation management practices for improved water and energy use efficiency in Western Canada.

Develop sustainable irrigated crop production practices in support of AAFC’s research priorities for Western Canada.

In conjunction with research scientists from research Centres across Canada, universities and collaborating partners identify research opportunities and establish priorities in agronomy research and development, assist in planning project activities, evaluation and dissemination of results.

Gather, compile, analyse and interpret data from repeatable studies and experiments; adapt study methods as needed; write scientific reports for publication; develop seminars and workshops; and present data and reports at scientific meetings and conferences.

Prepare research proposals with other project team members; provide advice on biological research to colleagues and managers; and review scientific literature to maintain an awareness of current research in biology and to develop expertise in a bioscience speciality.

Coordinate and/or supervise technical assistants and students allocated to the studies including monitoring work in progress and evaluating performance. Ensure quality and administrative standards are maintained.

Participates in technology transfer activities to disseminate new knowledge to crop producers across Western Canada.

Assist provincial departments of agriculture and the private sector in developing recommendations for agronomic practices in a range of crops and cropping systems.

Coordinate human, financial, and material resources allocated to the research project. Instructs and supervises technical staff, students, and evaluates performance.

Responsible for site management and leading collaborations with Government, Industry and University partners at the respective site and maintains cooperation with partners through communication.

Work environment

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).

Intent of the process

The immediate intent of the process is to staff one (1) indeterminate position.

A pool of qualified candidates (fully assessed or partially assessed) 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)

EDUCATION
Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in biological sciences; agriculture, agronomy; plant science; soil science; horticulture; agriculture and bio resource engineering OR in a field 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

EXPERIENCE
Experience in the design and implementation of scientific research in relation to dryland and/or irrigated agronomic practices in Western Canada.
Experience in working with a variety of crops and cropping systems under dryland and/or irrigated conditions.
Experience in providing scientific and technical advice to clients including producers, industry, and scientific colleagues.
Experience in managing continuous projects with associated human resource, budgetary, and planning functions.

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

EXPERIENCE
Experience in planning and conducting field research under irrigation production systems.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of current dryland and/or irrigated farming practices and cropping systems across Western Canada.
Knowledge of integrated farming practices for enhanced crop yield and reduced environmental impact under dryland and/or irrigated conditions.
Knowledge of principles and practices experimental field designs and management of field experiments.

COMPETENCIES
Interactive Communication
Planning & Organizing
Problem Solving
Teamwork

ABILITIES
Ability to communicate in writing.
Ability to supervise.

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

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge and experience in horticultural and higher-value crop production.
Knowledge of principles and practices, and experience in irrigation and agricultural water management.
Knowledge and experience in the operation and maintenance of irrigation equipment.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
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: Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities; visible minorities, women.

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 and 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 control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication without impinging on the duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field environments 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

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.

Reference checks may be sought.

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.

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.

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.