Research Assistant - Plant Biology / Agronomy Technician

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

• Setup and maintain electronic equipment, such as sensors, data loggers, GPS equipment and the compiling of the data files involved.
• Participate in designing and implementing research experiments.
• Plan and conduct field, laboratory, greenhouse, and/or controlled environmental chamber experiments.
• Collect plant and soil data (e.g., plant phenological stages, weeds, diseases, soil moisture, and soil temperature).
• Collect and prepare plant, soil, and air samples for lab analysis.
• Contribute to the development of new knowledge and technology in crop production
• Maintain accurate records of research activities, experimental results, data archives, and perform quality assurance/control.
• Perform rudimentary statistical analysis.
• Contribute to technical reports and presentations, and the preparation of scientific publications.

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 percent 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

Immediate Need: 1 full time Indeterminate position.

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures as well as various linguistic requirements.

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

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
- Experience in the use of word processing and spreadsheet applications such as Word and Excel.
- Experience planning and conducting field and laboratory experiments.
- Experience collecting and preparing plant, soil, and/or air samples for analysis.

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

EDUCATION
- Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a degree or Masters in Science with a specialization in Plant Science, Agronomy, Soil Science, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or a specialization related to the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
- Experience operating farm or research equipment, such as seeders or combines.
- Experience conducting basic statistical analysis and contributing to project reports, presentations, or publications.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of pulse or oilseed or cereal field production.
- Knowledge of field and laboratory methodologies, theories, practices and principles related to agricultural research.

COMPETENCIES
- Interactive communication
- Teamwork
- Planning and Organizing
- Concern for Safety

ABILITY
- Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately, and analyze data.

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

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of soil test recommendations and pest (weeds, diseases, and insect) control in cropping systems.
- Knowledge of experimental design and statistical analysis.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
Placement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by work force adjustment.

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: aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability; visible minorities, women.

Conditions of employment

- Reliability Status security clearance.
- Valid Driver’s licence.
- Ability and willingness to work overtime.
- Ability and willingness to travel.
- Known allergies and animal odor/sensitivities must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
- With appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field environments for extended periods at a time; able and willing to work outdoors under various weather conditions and under normal safety precautions 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

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 1-800-645-5605.

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.