Specialist in Agrometeorology

Update: *Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to February 12, 2020 - 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).

“Preference may be given to the following employment equity groups: Aboriginal peoples and Women.”

Duties

In collaboration with researchers from AAFC and other organizations, the agrometeorology specialist will contribute in particular to the development of decision support tools to support the adaptation of the agricultural sector to climate change and allow better risk management associated with weather conditions (e.g. bioclimatic models in plant protection, tools for irrigation management, forage production planning, analysis of agro-climatic potential). Their expertise will support the work of researchers and will facilitate the transfer and operationalization of some of their results to producers and agricultural advisors.

The prototyping, development and validation of these agrometeorological tools can be done in the framework of a living laboratory (LV) where, from the start, producers and agricultural advisors are involved in the design of the tool. A living laboratory is also ideal for assessing the barriers to the adoption of these tools, how to better integrate them into decision-making and to analyze their economic and environmental benefits. These tools are deployed and disseminated to all stakeholders in the agricultural sector via various digital platforms.

The agricultural meteorological professional contributes to living laboratory programs by offering advice and being involved in the installation of meteorological instruments and a data quality assurance program according to recognized standards.

Work environment

On behalf of the Government of Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) provides leadership in the growth and development of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. In this context, the Quebec Research and Development Center focus its research work in two areas: soil-water-air resources and field crops such as fodder plants. More specifically, the staff of the Research Center are working on genetic improvement and the management of forage crops for Eastern Canada. It also pursues work in the management and conservation of soil-water-air resources. In addition, it sees to the development of fodder and cereal production methods adapted to the context of sustainable agriculture.

Intent of the process

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, he/she may be considered for acting, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

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)

Graduation with a degree from a recognized university with acceptable specialization in physics, geology, chemistry, or some other specialty related to 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 working in multidisciplinary teams tasked to problems related to climate change and/or risk management associated with weather conditions in the agricultural sector.
Experience in planning and carrying out activities in atmospheric sciences and climate modelling in the agricultural sector.
Experience in the analysis and interpretation of climatic, geographic and/or environmental data.
Experience in preparing reports and presenting results to various audiences.
Experience in providing science-based advice to support decision making.

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

Graduation with a master's degree from a recognized university with acceptable specialization in environmental science, atmospheric science, agriculture, physical geography, physics, geology, natural resource management, geomatics, engineering or other science related to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience in development of decision support tools in agricultural weather.
Experience in the planning, writing of proposals and in carrying out projects, all while respecting deadlines and available resources.
Experience in the application of GIS, in geostatistics, remote sensing or artificial intelligence.
Experience in operational meteorology (production of weather forecasts)
Experience in meteorological instrumentation and management of weather station networks.
Experience in establishing, collaborating and maintaining relationships between scientists from other units and project partners.

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

French essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of the relationships between climate and farming systems and the impacts or climate change on agriculture.
Knowledge of decision support tools in agricultural meteorology.

Interactive communication
Adaptability
Initiative
Teamwork
Relationship Building

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

Ability and willingness to work overtime if needed.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Possess a valid driver's licence.
Be able and willing to travel regularly.
Be able and willing to work in difficult conditions, such as cold, hot, dust, etc.
Be able and willing to control allergies with the help of an individual protection equipment or with medication so the allergies won’t interfere with the exercises of the duties of the post.

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.