Biologist – Crop Management Study Lead

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to April 15, 2021 - 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 selected candidate will be responsible, as Study Lead, for developing new integrated cereal and oilseed cropping systems including their agronomic management in the context of the Saguenay Lac Saint-Jean region. These agronomic trials will include the evaluation of new cultivars of these crops in the context of the cold temperate climate in collaboration with AAFC's national network of plant breeders and their provincial, industrial and academic partners. This program will also include screening and evaluation of diseases and pests of cereals and oilseeds. The Study Lead will be an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team of internationally recognized researchers and research professionals based at the Normandin Experimental Farm as well as at the Quebec City Research and Development Centre and several other AAFC Research and Development Centres across Canada.

Work environment

The research carried out at the Quebec RDC aims to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability in a cold, humid climate and to improve environmental performance through the development of field crop systems that incorporate perennial forage species.

Since its creation in 1936, the Normandin Experimental Farm, a satellite farm of the Quebec Research and Development Centre, has been a regional success story on many levels. Among the many achievements of the last 85 years, we can mention the development of spring wheat varieties and germplasm that are now found on grain markets in Eastern Canada, the development and adaptation of the canola crop for Quebec environmental conditions, the improvement of nutrient management in wild blueberry production and the importance of sulphate fertilization in alfalfa production. Northern agriculture being a priority of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the geographical location of the Normandin Experimental Farm also allows it to be part of a unique Canadian network of experimental farms in northern agriculture, along with the St. John's (NL) and Beaverlodge (AB) farms.

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers. We believe our organization is most effective when it reflects the diversity of Canadian populations it serves and that achieving diversity in the workplace can start with a hiring process.

We strive to create an environment where Diversity and Inclusion are at the forefront. AAFC has five designated Diversity Networks, dedicated to ensuring that we continue to grow as an inclusive, respectful and diverse workplace. Regardless of whether you are a member of the diversity groups, all employees are welcomed to join the Networks and participate in their activities and events.

We are proud to be a workplace that embraces and values diverse perspectives, experiences and cultures. We value the unique talents and experiences of all employees. AAFC employees are given the opportunity to grow and reach their full potential within our organization through various programs and training.

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 1 full-time indeterminate 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)

Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in agronomy, plant biology or another related discipline.

Degree equivalency

Experience in leading and conducting research and development projects in agriculture.
Work experience in agronomy trials, including crop management.
Experience establishing experimental plots, and monitoring, collecting and analyzing agronomic data.
Experience disseminating scientific research results.

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

Master’s degree from a recognized university in agricultural science, biological science or a related field.

Degree equivalency

Experience in writing funding applications.
Experience in supervising employees or managing a team.
Experience in developing and implementing strategies for communication and the transfer of research or innovation results with a target audience in the agricultural sector.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of the issues and needs of the Canadian field crops sector.
Knowledge of the research protocols used to evaluate lines and determine variety-specific characteristics.
Knowledge of the pests and diseases of grain and protein-oil crops, as well as detection protocols used in the field, laboratory and greenhouse.

Adaptability
Concern for safety
Teamwork
Initiative
Interactive communication

Ability to thoroughly and precisely apply technical protocols in field and lab work to ensure quality and uniformity of experimental data.
Ability to use statistical tools to analyze test data and ability to interpret the results of statistical analyses.
Ability to collaborate effectively with industry stakeholders, and researchers and professionals in national teams.

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

Knowledge of R&D stakeholders and programs (agri-science clusters, AAFC breeding programs for different varieties of grains and protein-oil crops) at the regional, provincial and national levels.

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

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Ability and willingness to work overtime.
Ability and willingness to travel for work, regionally, provincially and nationally.
Ability and willingness to work under variable weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous chemicals.
Possession of a valid driver's licence.
Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
With safety precautions in place, must be able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse and field for extended periods at a time; able and willing to work outdoors under various weather conditions and under safety precautions; and able and willing to work with hazardous materials

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.