Senior Animal Caretaker

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 successful candidate will be expected to:
• Care for a beef cattle herd on a daily basis according to general management guidelines and research protocol.
• Feed prescribed amounts of high quality feed on a consistent basis using automatic and manual feeding systems.
• Collect and record data in a computer and daily diary pertaining to breeding, birth weights, finishing weights, and feed consumption.
• Participate, through consultation with a Veterinarian, in a herd health care program by conducting daily health checks, treating sick animals and administering vaccinations.
• Assist in ultrasonic probing and blood collection.
• Maintain the beef cattle facility in a clean and sanitary condition at all times.
• Ensure that the facility and farm equipment are maintained and performing to a high standard through daily inspections and equipment adjustments.
• Work effectively in a team environment where respectful communication is a must.

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 1 full-time temporary position (initial duration of 1 year).

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, and there is a temporary need, 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)

Experience in the handling, care and maintenance of cattle.
Experience operating various types of farm machinery (i.e. bale processors, feed mixing trucks, front end loaders with grapple fork and skid steer loaders).
Experience safely loading and transporting cattle via stock trailer.

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

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

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

First Aid certificate.
ATV/UTV operator certificate.
Valid FAC (Firearms, Possession/Acquisition License).
Valid Class 3 license including “Q” endorsement.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of modern husbandry and cattle handling techniques.
Knowledge of sickness and disease of cattle.
Knowledge of general operation and maintenance of farm equipment.

Concern for Safety
Initiative
Interactive Communication
Teamwork

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

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 including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work shift work.
Ability and willingness to work in harsh environments (cold, hot, dust, and noise) with exposure to animal manure and animal body fluids (blood, urine, mucus, infections, semen and vaginal fluids).
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals and pesticides.
Ability and willingness to handle large animals.
Ability and willingness to perform repetitive physical tasks in outdoor setting (i.e. lifting 25 kg. bales).
Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment 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

ASSESSMENT 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.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).

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.