Research Technician - Agro-ecosystems

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 research supervisor, the duties will include work with agro-ecosystems health and productivity, but are not limited to: completing assigned tasks and following instructions related to area of hire whether it be field-based activities, laboratory work and greenhouse work. These tasks may include: driving and using farm equipment; using scientific equipment; accurately collecting/entering data; and implementing experimental designs as directed by the science team. Following standard operating procedures (SOPs) and adhering to organizational health and safety guidelines, procedures and directives are expected.

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
- 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 providing technical support in a research environment.
- Experience in collecting biological samples in field conditions.
- Experience in the maintenance of plant or insect material for experimental research.

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

EDUCATION
- Degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary educational institution with acceptable specialization in agriculture, forestry, environmental sciences or a specialization relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of field research procedures.
- Knowledge of laboratory practices.
- Knowledge of health and safety.

COMPETENCIES
- Teamwork
- Concern for safety
- Initiative
- Adaptability

ABILITY
- Ability to collect data.
- Ability to use spreadsheets (for example, Microsoft Excel)
- Ability to communicate in writing.

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

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of working with GPS to compliment crop field data.

ABILITIES:
- Ability to identify tree and shrub species.
- Ability to identify agronomic crops.

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

- Reliability and Security: Reliability Status.
- Possession of a valid driver’s license.

With appropriate safety precautions in place:
- Ability and willingness to work under adverse weather conditions or working environments.
- Ability and willingness to work with chemicals and fertilizers.
- Ability and willingness to travel.
- Ability and willingness to control allergies, through use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and this must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
- Ability and willingness to work overtime and on weekends.

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.