Research Assistant – Crop 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

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

Reporting to the research scientist, the incumbent will:
1. Take assigned experimental protocols and ensure layout and execution of them in the field.
2. Work with the team on lab processing, data management and generation of reports.
3. Operate and maintain agricultural and experimental equipment, such as plot seeders, plot harvesting equipment, soil sampling equipment, and plot sprayers.
4. Observe, measure, collect and record physical/biological/agronomic data using written and electronic records.
5. Train staff on the safe operation of all field and lab equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures.
6. Purchase equipment and supplies.
7. Maintain the integrity of experimental data sets when various staff are entering data
8. Provide technical information in support of report writing

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.

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

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:
Successful completion of secondary school or a satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission test approved as an alternative to a 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 with minor maintenance and operation of agricultural research or farm equipment.
Experience providing technical support for research in a field environment.

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

ASSET-EDUCATION:
Degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Degree equivalency

ASSET-EXPERIENCE:
Experience managing and operating research equipment, such as plot seeders, plot harvesting equipment, soil sampling equipment, and plot sprayers.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of the technical methods needed to support agronomic field research methods (i.e. fertility management, production practices, pest management, crop rotations, etc.).
Knowledge on how to safely operate and transport motorized equipment.
Knowledge of agronomic crops, pests, and diseases in western Canada.

COMPETENCIES:
Concern for Safety
Initiative
Team work
Planning and Organizing

ABILITIES:
Ability to make observations, collect and manage data.
Ability to identify and prioritize activities for multiple experiments from developed protocols.

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

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION:
Pesticide applicator’s license.

Placement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by workforce 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

Reliability Status security clearance

Possession of a valid, class 5 Saskatchewan driver’s license, or other provincial/territorial equivalency.
Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work under variable weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work in harsh environments (outdoors, cold, hot, dust, and noise).
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.

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.