Research Assistant – Plant Biology/Double Haploid

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

In support of the wheat breeding programs, the incumbent will assist in the production of double haploid wheat plants. The work includes preparing culture media; preparation of reagents; transfer of plant materials using sterile technique; emasculating and pollinating florets; rearing, monitoring and caring for plants in growth facilities; applying treatments to plants and keeping accurate records; plant and transplanting; care and maintenance of equipment and facilities. The incumbent will work with people within the team towards maintaining a safe environment with which to accomplish assignments.

Work environment

The Swift Current Research and Development Centre was established in 1920 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, in the semi-arid prairie region, which encompasses 20 per cent of the arable land in Canada (the Brown soil zone). Research done at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre extends across the Dark Brown and Thin Black soil zones via the associated research site at Indian Head, Saskatchewan.
The Centre was founded originally to support the expanding settlements in the semi-arid region through research in areas such as severe drought, erosion, frost, pests, and crop disease related problems. Today, the centre is noted for world-class wheat and durum breeding, advancing research in forages and cattle nutrition, and improving agricultural sustainability through cropping practices and disease control. Today, as in the past, the Swift Current Research and Development Centre works closely with producers from across the prairies to provide research results to support the needs of farmers.

Intent of the process

A pool of partially qualified and qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures as well as various linguistic requirements.

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
Secondary school diploma OR an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

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 providing cereal plant research technical support in a field and/or laboratory environment.
Experience using sterile techniques in a laboratory environment.

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

EDUCATION
Post-secondary diploma and/or degree from a recognized institution with a specialization in one of the following fields: agriculture, biology, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, plant pathology or other related specialization.

Degree equivalency

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of laboratory procedures and equipment related to double haploid production.
Knowledge of cereal plant breeding.
Knowledge of cereal plants.

COMPETENCIES
Adaptability
Concern for Safety
Initiative
Interactive Communication
Planning and organizing
Teamwork

ABILITIES
Ability to perform laboratory techniques related to cereal plant breeding.
Ability to transfer and record data accurately.
Ability to recognize specific problems with cereal plants and seeds.

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

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

Valid Driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to work overtime.
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.
With appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse and/or field for extended periods at a time; able and willing to work outdoors under various weather conditions and under normal safety precautions able and willing to work with hazardous materials.

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.