Research Assistant – Plant Biology

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

Under the supervision of a Coordination Biologist/Research Scientist, and in support of the agronomy or disease management field research, the incumbents will assist in implementing a range of plot trials on the AAFC Research Farm in Melfort, SK.
• Creating and implementing plot plans following project protocols.
• Preparing, seeding and maintaining research plots for various field trials.
• Operating a range of plot equipment, including soil sampler, seeder, sprayer and small combine.
• Monitoring crop conditions and pest damage, and applying pesticides when necessary.
• Coordinating equipment and facility use for implementing the projects they are responsible.
• Providing instructions to students to ensure project protocols are followed.
• Taking various agronomic/disease measurements and ensuring accurate/safe record keeping.
• Organizing experimental data and summarizing trial procedures and results.
• Caring and maintaining plot equipment and research facilities.
• Working with others within the team to ensure a safe work environment.

Work environment

• A team environment on a research farm with a focus on field agronomy/disease research.
• Primarily plot work, involving the use of a range of research field equipment.
• There may be infrequent need to work overtime or on weekends during crop season.
• Infrequent needs for travel to conduct trials offsite or disease/crop surveys in Saskatchewan.
• Crop pollens can be a source of allergy; Personal Protective Equipment/medication may be needed to control allergies.
• May involve the application of chemicals/pesticides to research plots, with use of Personal Protective Equipment.
• May sometimes need to lift heavy objects up to 25 kg.

Intent of the process

A pool of 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: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION
- A 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 in carrying out research plot trials or in field-crop production.
- Experience in soil sampling and management for research plots/crop fields.
- Experience in operating field machinery/equipment for crop research/production.
- Experience in collecting, cleaning and maintenance of seed samples.

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

OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION
- Possession of a valid pesticide applicator’s certificate.

EXPERIENCE
- Experience in preparing, calibrating and applying pesticides in field crop situations.
- Experience in managing forage or canola crops in small plots or field scale.
- Experience in using statistical software such as SAS or R.
- Experience in carrying out research activities under laboratory/greenhouse conditions.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of common experimental designs used in field research.
- Knowledge of pest management in plot trials/commercial crop production.
- Knowledge of data collection/analysis for plot trials.

COMPETENCIES
- Adaptability
- Initiative
- Interactive communication
- Teamwork

ABILITIES
- Ability to operate and maintain common research-sized field equipment.
- Ability to organize/analyze research data.

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: Aboriginal peoples, Persons with a Disability; Visible Minorities, Women.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must be available and willing to:
- Work on weekends when situations require during crop season.
- Work overtime when situations require during crop season.
- Travel.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Possession of a valid driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication without impinging on duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals and pesticides.
Ability and willingness to lift heavy objects up to 25 kg.
Ability and willingness to work in both field and laboratory environments.

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 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.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs.html.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact the email referenced below under "Contact Information".

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.