Research Assistant - Soil Carbon Cycling/Agronomy Technician

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.

Duties

DUTIES
A Research Assistant is required to work under Soil Carbon (C) Cycling/Agronomy research program at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre. The program will apply traditional and emerging techniques to improve understandings of the dynamics of soil organic C (SOC). The program will focus on turnover of C inputs to soil, formation, and accumulation in relation to crop and grazing practices that increase soil C sequestration. The incumbent will work in multi-disciplinary teams at the local and national levels to improve environmental sustainability and crop production. The incumbent will develop and implement experiments, take samples, prepare and analyze samples including up to date on experimental protocols and new knowledge. The successful candidate will contribute to Soil C Cycling/Agronomy research program and assistant in investigating the nature of soil C cycling.

Primary duties
1. Provide senior technical support for research projects.
2. Contribute to experiment design and the development of laboratory standard operating procedures for research activities.
3. Carry out research activities under lab, field and/or greenhouse conditions.
4. Conduct laboratory analyses and operate various instruments including troubleshooting, purchasing equipment and maintaining lab supplies and complete sample analyses as required.
5. Maintain accurate records of research activities, experimental results, data archives, and quality assurance/control.
6. Organize and compile data and provide statistical analyses and communicate results with research team.
7. Supervise and assign duties on a daily basis to staff, students and graduate students.
8. Co-ordinate research activities with external collaborators and local, national and international research associates.
9. Contributes to prepare presentations, reports, and publications.

Work environment

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We have several networks dedicated to ensuring that the department continues to grow as an inclusive, accessible, respectful and diverse workplace. All employees are encouraged and welcomed to join the networks and participate in their activities and events.

• The Gender and Sexual Diversity Inclusiveness Network
• The Indigenous Network Circle
• The Managers' Community
• The Persons with Disabilities Network
• The Student Panel of Representatives for Orientation, Unity and Training
• The Visible Minorities Network
• The Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network
• The Young Professional's Network

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified and partially 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 were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/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 in agricultural research related to soil carbon cycling.
Experience in technical support of experimental research.
Experience in the use of statistical analyses in the interpretation of experimental results.
Experience in contributing to technical documents and presentations.

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

EDUCATION
Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in the field of soil science, agronomy, plant science, environmental science, microbiology, natural resources, or a specialization related to the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Experience in isotopic labelling techniques related to soil nutrient cycling.
Experience in working with soil carbon cycling models.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of soil biogeochemical processes.
Knowledge of agricultural management practices related to soil nutrient management associated with crop production.
Knowledge of experimental design in cropping systems.
Knowledge of laboratory methodologies associated with soil carbon cycling research.

COMPETENCIES
Adaptability
Interactive communication
Planning and organizing
Teamwork

ABILITIES
Ability to make observations, collect data, and interpret results.
Ability to apply statistical methods to experimental data.
Ability to assist in the preparation of technical documents.

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

OTHER ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
Placement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by work force adjustment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Possession of a valid class 5 Saskatchewan drivers license, or provincial/territorial equivalent.
Ability and willingness to work overtime.
Known allergies and animal odor/sensitivities 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; able and willing to work outdoors under various weather conditions and under normal safety precautions; able and willing to work with hazardous materials.

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

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs.html.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying 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.