Research Assistant

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

Reporting to the research scientist, the incumbent will:
- Assist the scientist with protocol development to ensure that protocols can be feasibly executed in the field.
- Direct and review the work of GL-MAN technical labourer staff and summer students.
- Take multiple experimental protocols and ensure execution of them from the field, through lab processing, data management and generation of reports.
- Operate and maintain agricultural and experimental equipment, such as plot seeders, plot harvesting equipment, soil sampling equipment, and plot sprayers.
- Observe, measure, collect and record physical/biological/agronomic data using written and electronic records.
- Train staff on the safe operation of all field and lab equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures.
- Purchase equipment and supplies.
- Assist scientist with report writing and manuscript preparation.

Work environment

As one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is proud to celebrate our achievement in creating a diverse, respectful, and positive workplace where all employees are valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices and perspectives.

Intent of the process

The intent of this selection process is to staff a position for a period of 12 months, with the possibility of extension.

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures for this location.

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
A secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternative.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Experience operating field equipment, such as plot seeders, plot harvesting equipment, soil sampling equipment, plot sprayers and seed counters.
Experience providing technical support in agronomy or large scale field research.
Experience managing projects in agronomy or large scale field research

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

EDUCATION
Graduation with a degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in Agronomy, Plant Science, Plant Physiology, Environmental Science, Horticulture, Soil Science or an acceptable specialization relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION
Pesticide applicator’s license.
Possession of a valid class 1 Driver’s license.

EXPERIENCE
Experience managing research trials.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of the maintenance and safe operation of research scaled field equipment.
Knowledge of agronomy and current crops, pests, and diseases of western Canada.
Knowledge of the current principles and practices of western Canadian farming systems.

COMPETENCIES
Adaptability
Concern for Safety
Initiative
Interactive Communication
Planning and Organizing
Problem Solving

ABILITIES
Ability to contribute to the development of experimental protocols.
Ability to manage multiple experiments after the protocol has been developed.
Ability to precisely manage data.

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

Placement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by Work Force Adjustment.

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.
Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work under variable weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work in harsh environments (outdoors, cold, hot, dust, and noise).
Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.

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.