Research Assistant - Agronomy

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

In support of the Agronomy Research Program at AAFC-Brandon, under the supervision of the Senior Research Assistant and working with the research team, the incumbent will assist in the conduct of agronomic research for a range of winter and spring cereal, oilseed and pulse crops under field, laboratory and controlled environment conditions. The work includes but is not limited to: seeding, applying treatments to, maintaining and harvesting agronomic research experiments; organizing and coordinating supplies and equipment to accomplish tasks as per experimental protocols; maintaining records; collecting and processing plant (including seed) and soil samples for analysis; conducting grain quality analyses; utilizing a range of scientific equipment, tools and methods to collect data from field and controlled environment experiments; data entry and verification; demonstrating techniques and communicating experimental protocols to summer staff and casuals; and contributing to the development of knowledge and technologies related to field crop agronomy in western Canada. The incumbent will work with people within the team towards maintaining a safe environment with which to accomplish assignments. The completion of this work will require the incumbent to be able to sustain physically demanding work in varying work environments especially during the growing season.

Intent of the process

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 conduct of agronomic research under field conditions.
- Experience in the collection and processing of plant and/or soil samples.
- Experience in data collection from field studies.

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

EDUCATION
- Post-secondary diploma or degree from a recognized institution with a specialization in one of the following fields: Agronomy, Plant/Crop Science, Soil Science, Environmental Sciences; Life Sciences; Plant Biology; Agriculture; or a related program.

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 research methods for field crops.
- Knowledge of basic data analysis and experimental design.

COMPETENCIES
- Adaptability
- Teamwork
- Initiative
- Attention to detail

ABILITIES:
- Ability to use scientific equipment and tools in the conduct of crop production research.
- Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately.
- Ability to use computer programs such as MS Excel and Word.

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

KNOWLEDGE:
- Knowledge of cereal, oilseed and pulse crops.

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

- Security: Reliability Status
- Valid Driver’s license (Class 5)
- Ability and willingness to travel.
- Ability and willingness to work irregular hours and overtime including evenings and week-ends.
- Ability and willingness to work with high levels of noise and dust.
- Ability and willingness to work in various environmental conditions including outdoors under various weather conditions and with exposure to insects.
- Ability and willingness to perform physically demanding work activities, including moderate to heavy manual work requiring bending and lifting heavy objects (up to 25 kg).
- 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 appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse and/or field environments for extended periods at a time.
- Ability and willingness to work with chemicals, pesticides and other hazardous materials.
- Ability and willingness to sit for long periods at a lab bench making observations or handling samples.
- Ability and willingness to undertake work related training.

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 first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, 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.