Summer Forage Research Assistant - Research Affiliate Program

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to April 1, 2022 - 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).

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).

Duties

Successful candidates will be assisting in the execution of experimental protocols requiring: collecting weather data including soil temperature and moisture recorded using soil sensor readers; measuring the crop field dry matter yield; collecting plant samples for nutritive value determination; evaluating plant developmental stages and other stand characteristics (plant density, height and botanical composition). Duties related to these activities would include planting research plot, harvesting, processing samples, data collection, laboratory analysis, and data entry.

Work environment

The Kentville/Nappan RDC delivers an integrated program of agriculture and agri-food research and technology transfer along the innovation continuum including germplasm development, environmentally sustainable primary production, integrated pest management, plant pathology, postharvest storage, food attributes and safety, handling, distribution and forage agronomy and breeding.

Dr. Yousef Papadopoulos (Forage Breeder/Agronomist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Supervisor) and Dr. Kathleen Glover (Agronomist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Supervisor) are looking for 2 students to assist in the conduct of forage (alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil and red clover) breeding and agronomy research experiments. This position will be based at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research facility in Nappan, NS.

The interested candidates will also assist in the conduct of experimentation related to several on-going research field projects.

Positions to be filled: 4

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 3 references.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Education:
Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s of Science in a recognized post-secondary academic institution in one of the following fields:

Agronomy;
Agricultural Sciences;
Plant Sciences;
Biology;
Bio-ecology Technology
Bioscience Technology;
Chemistry;
Environmental Sciences;
Environmental Technology;
Hydrology
Natural Resources;
Soil Science;
A related science program or other related fields.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Experience* working with plants.
Experience* working outside.
Experience* managing data spreadsheets in electronic format such as MS Excel and producing data tables and figures.

*In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through the studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

Competencies:
Initiative
Teamwork
Problem Solving

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

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 - Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment, and therefore will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-relevant documents.

All employees of the core public administration are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status unless accommodated based on a medical contraindication, religion, or another prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Valid Driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to work overtime.
Capable of lifting and carrying materials up to 25 kg.
Willing to work in environmental extremes (temperature, humidity, wind and allergens).
With appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse and/or field environments.
Ability and willingness to work doing repetitive tasks under adverse environmental conditions.

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

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/opportunities/government.html.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact the email referenced below under “Contact Information”.

Candidates will be required to pay for their own travel related to assessment and successful candidates will be responsible for obtaining their own living accommodations.

Successful completion of both a RAP work assignment and your educational program may lead to a temporary or permanent federal public service position for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.

On October 6, 2021, the Government of Canada announced details of its plans to require vaccination across the federal public service. The details can be found on this site: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/news/2021/10/backgrounder-covid-19-vaccine-requirement-for-the-federal-workforce.html

As per the new Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration Including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, federal public servants in the Core Public Administration and members of the RCMP must attest to their vaccination status. The requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated applies whether they are teleworking, working remotely or working on-site. This is a condition of employment and it applies to indeterminate (permanent), determinate (term), casual, and student hiring. Should you reach the point in the selection process where it is necessary to verify terms and conditions of employment then the hiring manager or a human resources representative will contact you in order to complete an attestation. The Policy can be found on this site: https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=32694

Preference

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.