Biologist – Long-term agroecosystem experiments

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 work with historical data collected by previous generations of researchers over the past 110 years as a part of the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre long-term agroecosystem experiments. The project aims to leverage long-term agroecosystem experiment data to assess how farmers can balance short- and long-term productivity, stability, and risk associated with investments in soil health, leading to a profitable farming system for both current and future generations. The candidate will be responsible for the organization, management, manipulation, integration, and analyses of existing data sets, including crop, soil, and weather data, and management metadata. An in-depth understanding of complex statistical analyses will be required for structural equation modelling. In addition, the candidate will be responsible for data interpretation with experience in soil and crop sciences, and the ecological relationships which underpin agroecosystem function. The candidate will contribute to outreach efforts, and the development of scientific manuscripts.

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 1 full-time temporary position (end date of March 31, 2024).

The position is located in Lethbridge (Alberta). However, during the COVID-19 pandemic response, remote work is our current practice. Remote work will be ongoing for the foreseeable future.

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)

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a biological science (i.e. Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant Science, Ecology or another specialization relevant to the position).

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 in the initiation and management of multi-disciplinary field research experiments spanning both soil and plant sciences.
Experience working with multiple statistical packages or procedures in R or SAS for data analysis and interpretation.
Experience using advanced data visualization software to produce publication quality figures, diagrams, or illustrations.
Experience exchanging scientific or technical information with at least two of the following groups: producers, industry, and scientific colleagues.

Documented scientific productivity/recognition in the form of authorship/editorship of research results in recognized scientific journals, and published reports, books, papers, or other communications resulting from scientific research related to the scope of this position.

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

Graduation with a graduate degree (Masters or above) from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant Science, Ecology or another specialization relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience using R or SAS for multivariate analyses.
Experience using R or SAS for structural equation modelling.
Experience working with and integrating large multidisciplinary datasets spanning at least two of the following disciplines: soil science, plant science, and agrometeorology.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of advanced statistical methods used in systems-based agroecology research.
Knowledge of the linkages among agriculture, cropping systems and climate change.

Initiative
Teamwork
Writing Skills
Interactive Communication

Ability to review scientific literature, and to summarize the information in a quality peer-reviewed manuscript.
Ability to effectively communicate research results verbally to a multidisciplinary audience.

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

Knowledge of current farming technologies, including cropping systems, agricultural machinery, and pest management practices relevant to Western Canada.
Knowledge of methods used to analyse crop yield stability or farming system risk.

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 workforce adjustment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
Ability and willingness to work overtime, including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to travel regionally, nationally and internationally as required to liaise with industry and academia, and attend scientific or technical meetings.
Ability and willingness to work remotely.

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.