BSc Student in Forest Biology-with emphasis on role of fire in soils and sediment carbon and pollen - Research Affiliate Program

Important messages

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Assessment accommodation

Duties

This project involves national and regional studies on the fire contributions to soil and sediment black carbon (charcoal) and changes in plant pollen frequency. Over the past 5 years as National Forest Inventory groundplots were resampled, soil profiles from boreal sites were being processed to determine the amount of black C in the corresponding organic and mineral layers. This study aims to help complete charcoal quantification from the remaining soil samples. Charcoal will be quantified in soil samples via microscopy. The resultant data and existing NFI total soil C data for the samples will then be analyzed for a preliminary report on the fraction of the soil C that is black C. Charcoal subsamples will also be taken to determine %C and C14 dates to examine the charcoal carbon storage pool. The student will conduct a literature review of black carbon storage in soils, which will be combined with all data to contribute to a forthcoming manuscript. The project will provide some of the first information on the amounts of fire-derived C in soils of the boreal forest sites in the NWT and the ages of charcoal C in the soils. It builds upon extensive sampling campaign underway by the NFI at remote sites that are often only accessible by helicopter.
This project is in collaboration with Dr. Real Roy of the Centre of Forest Biology, University of Victoria.

Intent of the process

The intention is to staff one student position engaged in research for a BSc degree in Forest Biology at the University of Victoria.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "A cover letter briefly outlining your interest in the position and relevant education/experience."

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

Education:
Currently enrolled at the University of Victoria in a Bachelor of Science program in Forest Biology with specialization relevant to the duties of the position.
A letter of positive enrollment from the University will suffice.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Experience in microtechnique and microscopy in a research laboratory.

In the context of student recruitment in the federal public service, experience can be acquired through studies, work experience or volunteer activities.

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of Forest Biology

Personal Suitability:
• Adaptability
• Initiative
• Judgement
• Self-motivation

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

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

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

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - This factor is not used at the screening stage. The hiring department is responsible for the security clearance process.
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.

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

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.
We thank all applicants for their interest in our position(s). For the purpose of this staffing process, only candidates selected for further assessment will be contacted.

For this selection process, it is our intention to communicate with candidates via email. Candidates must include a valid email address in their application. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that this address is functional and that it accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

An interview may be administered.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

You must indicate on your application if you require a technical aid for testing or an alternative method of assessment.

Candidates from outside the public service may be required to pay for travel and relocation costs associated with this selection process.

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.

Preference

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

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