Large Animal Caretaker

Update: Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to August 13th, 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).

Duties

The Swift Current Research and Development Centre requires someone to assist in the operations that are carried out at the beef unit. Winter duties may include feeding and bedding cattle, facility maintenance, calving checks and processing/weighing cattle in the feedlot. Summer duties may include fencing, seeding, haying, corral cleaning and handling cattle on grazing trials. Collection, processing and weighing of forage and soil samples for lab analysis as well as collection of animal body fluids (fecal, urine and rumen fluid collection) will also be an integral part of this position. This job requires weekend work and occasional late night and early morning start times.

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 qualified candidates may be established and may be used by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to staff similar positions with various tenures.

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 an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
- Experience in the handling and care of cattle.
- Experience operating farm machinery such as bale processors, seeders, and/or haying equipment.
- Experience operating basic lab equipment such as scales or plant grinders.

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

EDUCATION
- Successful completion of post-secondary education in an agricultural related field.

Degree equivalency

OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION
- Pesticide Applicator Certificate
- Class 1 Driver’s License
- Possession and Acquisition License (PAL)

EXPERIENCE
- Experience working with cattle in a research environment.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of grazing management.
- Knowledge of common cattle treatment and vaccination practices.
- Knowledge of low stress cattle handling techniques.
- Knowledge of common local forage plant species.

COMPETENCIES
- Concern for safety
- Initiative
- Teamwork

ABILITIES
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally.
- Ability to organize and record data accurately.

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 handle large animals.
Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work in harsh environments (outdoors, cold, heat, dust, and noise) with exposure to animal manure and other animal body fluids (such as rumen fluid, blood, urine, mucus, infections, semen and vaginal fluids).
Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and this 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.

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 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).

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.