Field Technician – Cropping Operations

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 the Cropping Operations Supervisor and working alongside members of the field crew, the duties will include:
• Operation and calibration of field equipment for; cultivation, seeding, fertilizing, spraying, and harvesting.
• Maintenance of field equipment; change oil, belts, and bearings.
• Operation of irrigation equipment; hand move, wheel move, and pivots .
• Collection of various agronomic data from the field (yield, height, days to flower, maturity, lodging; identification of disease, weed and insects etc.).
• Support to research groups with field activities as needed (seeding, sampling, harvesting).
• Assistance in developing new protocols and modifying existing protocols.
• Contribution to and development of integrated pest management strategies.
• Operation of scientific instruments (climate sensors and data loggers).
• Use of GPS and GIS technologies to operate equipment and handheld instruments.
• Assistance to research programs for sample processing.
• Data input and organization.

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 1 full-time temporary position (1 year term).

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)

High school diploma or acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience operating and maintaining common farm machinery such as tractors, plows and disc harrows, seeders and harvesters.

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

Diploma or degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in Plant Biology, Biology, Environmental Science, or a related Agricultural program.

Degree equivalency

Pesticide Applicator License – Agriculture.

Experience conducting field experiments in agronomy, plant biology or soil science.
Experience operating irrigation equipment.
Experience using GIS and GPS technologies.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of farming methods and practices, including integrated pest management strategies.

Adaptability
Attention to detail
Concern for Safety
Interactive Communication
Teamwork

Ability to make scientific observations, collect data, and record data accurately with correct scientific units.

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.

Ability and willingness to obtain air brakes and class 3 license.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to obtain a valid Pesticide Applicator License – Agriculture.
Ability and willingness to travel to off station field sites 1-2 times a week during field season.
Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
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.
Ability and willingness to work in a laboratory, greenhouse, and field environments.
Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals and pesticides.

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.