Research Assistant – Crop Pathology

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

- Evaluate thousands of cereal lines in field test: establish successful disease nursery in a timely manner
- Collect disease sample and isolate pathogens
- Carry out greenhouse test for fungal race characterization
- Organize samples, isolates, seeds
- Organize lab and storage area
- Document accurate results daily
- Develop, adapt, and implement protocols to collect research data
- Adapt lab and field equipment and protocols as required to meet research needs
- Summarize data and write reports, assist with preparation of articles and presentations
- Assist with staffing of students, train students and co-ordinate their work
- Procure and manage laboratory and field supplies

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 1 full-time permanent position.

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)

B. Sc. Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the following fields: Plant Pathology; Plant Biology; Crop Science or a related agricultural program.

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 providing technical support and coordinating and conducting plant pathology research activities in laboratory, greenhouse and field environments.
Experience collecting and performing crop disease survey.
Experience following, developing, and documenting protocols for 1) isolating and increasing fungal plant pathogens 2) inoculating plants with pathogen and 3) rating symptoms.
Experience in basic molecular biology.

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

M.Sc. degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the following: plant pathology, plant biology, crop science, or a related agricultural program.

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 managing field nursery for plant disease.
Experience operating farm equipment (e.g. seeding and harvesting equipment).
Experience writing reports.
Experience training students and co-ordinating their work.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of cereal crop pathology and classical plant pathology concepts.
Knowledge of basic fungal plant pathology methods for isolating, increasing, inoculation and storing fungal plant pathogens.
Knowledge of methods for assessing plants for disease damage and pathogen identification.

Interactive Communication
Planning and Organizing
Problem Solving
Initiative

Ability to use scientific instruments or tools and to apply scientific techniques or methodologies.
Ability to make accurate observations, collect and record data accurately and interpret and analyze results.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada recognizes that the diversity of its employee population contributes to its strength and integrity. We are committed to achieving employment equity and developing a highly capable workforce that is representative of Canadian Society. We encourage women (especially in non-traditional occupations), Indigenous peoples (Aboriginal peoples), persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups to apply and declare themselves as part of one or more of the Employment Equity groups as selection may be limited to candidates belonging to one or more of the groups.

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

Possession of a valid driver’s license.
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 for extended periods at a time, including during survey for disease and evaluating thousands of line in field for disease reactions and also seated at a microscope.
Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals, pesticides and different plant pathogens.

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.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.