Nutrient Management and Soil Health Research Assistant

Update: UPDATE: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to October 29, 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

The incumbent will be responsible for contributing to research on nutrient management and soil health in response to diversified agricultural practices. The position will be based at the AAFC Charlottetown Research and Development Centre and will involve laboratory, field, and occasionally greenhouse experiments. The duties of this position include the following:

•Contribute to the development of scientifically sound sampling strategies and obtain plant and soil samples from experimental plots and field scale in Atlantic Canada.
•Perform analyses to quantify nutrient in soils, plants and other parameters related to soil quality using current approaches.
•Modify and develop experimental procedures to study nutrient cycling and soil health in responses to agricultural managements.
•Perform analyses of general soil chemical, physical and biochemical (e.g. organic matter fractions, microbial biomass, enzyme activities, aggregate stability, bulk densities).
•Contribute to the design and maintenance of experimental plots and greenhouse studies.
Maintain records of field activities and plant and soil samples analyzed in the laboratory.
•Contribute to initial statistical analyses of data and the preparation of graphics and drafts of reports and scientific manuscripts.

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar permanent and temporary employment for the location indicated for this process.

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 or assignment/secondment opportunities. The approval of his/her substantive supervisor will be required before acting/assignment/secondment is offered.

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 diploma or degree in science with specialization in agronomy, ecology, soil science, environmental science, bioscience technology, or other relevant discipline from a recognized post-secondary institution.

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 in providing technical support.
Experience in leading projects in field and laboratory environment related to nutrient management and soil health.
Experience in collecting and performing analysis on soil and plant samples.

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

A master`s in science from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a field relevant to the position, such as soil science, soil chemistry, soil physics or agronomy.

Degree equivalency

Experience in the application and adaptation of existing chemical methods used to analyze one or more forms of carbon, nitrogen, or phosphorus in the soil.
Experience with laboratory techniques used for the study of nutrient cycling, soil chemical and physical properties.
Experience in planning and conducting field experiments in the area of soil fertility and fertilization.
Experience in conducting studies assessing responses of nutrient dynamics and soil health to agricultural management practices.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of soil nutrient cycling.
Knowledge of the basic concepts of soil fertility and plant nutrition.
Knowledge of laboratory methods for analyses of basic soil properties.
Knowledge of experimental designs.
Knowledge of the principles followed in establishing and conducting field trials in the area of soil fertility and fertilization.

Planning and organizing
Initiative
Interactive communication
Teamwork
Adaptability

Ability to keep and maintain accurate, detailed and well organized records.
Ability to compile, summarize and to interpret data in the area of soil fertility and fertilization.

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

Ability to search and comprehend scientific literature (e.g. research project reports, peer-reviewed papers) in order to identify, adopt and/or adapt new analytical approaches and methods.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid driver’s license.
With appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in a laboratory, greenhouse and in field conditions.
Under normal safety precautions, able and willing to work with hazardous materials.
Ability and willingness to travel for field work.
Ability and willingness to work overtime.
Ability and willingness to work outdoors, in inclement and/or variable conditions.
Ability and willingness to lift materials up to 15 kg.
Ability and willingness to work at a microscope for extended periods (e.g. > 2 hours in a given day).
Ability and willingness to do repetitive tasks.

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.