Research Assistant – Natural Resources and/or Plant Science (Anticipatory)

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

We want you to succeed! Our objective is to identify qualified candidates by fairly assessing their abilities. Assessment accommodations are intended to remove obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so that all candidates can showcase their capabilities.

Please help us meet our commitment of providing an inclusive and barrier-free environment by letting us know if you require assessment accommodations, including assistance with the application process. Additional information on the assessment format(s) (for example: exam, interview) will be provided at each assessment stage.

As one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is proud to celebrate our achievement in creating a diverse, respectful, and positive workplace where all employees are valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices and perspectives. We are dedicated to building and promoting a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, representative of all Canadians regardless of race, ethnicity, colour, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socio-economic background or lived experience. By embracing diversity and inclusion, our department ensures broader discussions, better decisions, and a more positive workplace.

We welcome all candidates, including Indigenous Peoples, Black, other racialized groups, persons with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ2+ community to apply and strongly encourage candidates to self-declare if they belong to an Employment Equity designated group (i.e. Indigenous (Aboriginal*) Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Women or Visible Minorities - Black people and other racialized groups).

*The term “Aboriginal” is used within this job advertisement as it relates to the Employment Equity Act and other legislative frameworks. The term “Indigenous” is used where possible, in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Duties

1) Assist in the preparation of seed for nurseries and yield plots.
2) Assist in the seeding of field plots including driving and tripping.
3) Maintenance of field plots including weeding and rouging.
4) Participate in the collection of field data for agronomic, disease and quality traits.
5) Assist in the harvest of field plots, including nursery harvest, combining, stationary threshing, cleaning and discard.
6) Perform computer tasks such as data input and management.
7) Assist with the preparation of samples for genomic breeding research, such as marker assisted selection and genomic selection.

Work environment

This is an ON-SITE field and laboratory research position with emphasis on outdoor work duties supporting the wheat and Oat Breeding group at the Brandon Research and Development Centre.

Hours of Work: 8:00 to 4:00 Monday to Friday (compensated overtime is required).

Intent of the process

The intent of the process is to fill:
-One (1) anticipated, temporary position in Brandon, Manitoba
-Two (2) anticipated, permanent positions in Brandon, Manitoba

A pool of qualified and/or partially qualified candidates may be established and used to fill similar positions on a temporary or permanent basis.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, and there is a temporary need, they may be considered for acting, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

Positions to be filled: 3

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

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 experience.

If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. Click on the link below to contact the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC).

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Experience providing support in research environment.
Experience in using scientific instruments or tools, such as seed counters, laboratory threshers, and seed cleaners.
Experience in operating and troubleshooting equipment such as seeders, combines, and tractors.
Experience in collecting and recording data accurately.

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

EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in agronomy, plant science, soil science, biology or a related discipline.
Successful completion of Core, and Ground/Greenhouse Manitoba pesticide courses.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Experience analyzing field data using specialized statistical software such as SAS,(Statistical Analysis System) R, JMP and AgroBase.
Experience crossing cereals (wheat/oats).
Experience working in a greenhouse, or growth chamber.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of field theories and practices.
Knowledge of cereal agronomy.
Knowledge of cereal breeding and genomics.

COMPETENCIES
Concern for safety
Interactive Communication
Teamwork

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

Possession of a valid, class 3 Manitoba driver’s license, or other provincial/territorial equivalency.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

- Possession of a valid, class 5 Manitoba driver’s license, or other provincial/territorial equivalency.
- Ability and willingness to work with hazardous chemicals using appropriate safety equipment after receiving suitable training.
- Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
- Ability and willingness to undertake work related training.
- Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
- Ability and willingness to work with high levels of dust.
- Ability and willingness to sit for long periods at a lab bench making observations using a microscope or other devices.
- With appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse and/or field environments for extended periods at a time; able and willing to work outdoors under various weather conditions.
- Ability and willingness to perform physically demanding work activities, including moderate to heavy manual work such as lifting objects up to 25 kg.

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.

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

Persons unable to apply 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 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.