Agriculture Science 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

This process will be used to staff one or more positions that provides technical support to a science team. At the Fredericton Research and Development Centre, every member of the science team is considered vitally important to achieving the science objectives. While the duties vary according to the specific discipline and projects of the science team, the positions to be staffed share many common duties:

• Providing laboratory support to the team, including collecting, organizing and preparing samples for analysis; carrying out, modifying and adapting lab protocols; using and maintaining scientific lab equipment; ensuring the lab is stocked and organized.
• Providing field support to the science team, including planning and putting in place field trials with the help of a farm crew and others; making observations and collecting samples and data from field trials; participating in planting, harvesting and other field tasks.
• Managing data, assisting with statistical analyses and contributing to scientific outputs such as peer-reviewed articles, reports and posters.
• Participating fulling the Occupational Health and Safety programs in the workplace.
• Keeping detailed and well-organized notes, helping to organize the work of students, sharing knowledge and expertise with others.

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

The immediate need is to fill one (1) indeterminate position in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

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 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:
Graduation with a degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in a relevant science related field (i.e. plant biology, crop science, environmental science, soil science) or an acceptable combination of education, training and 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 the planning and conducting of field, laboratory or greenhouse experiments.
• Experience in managing scientific data.
• Experience collecting, processing and analyzing soil, plant, air or water samples.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
• Basic knowledge in one or more of the following areas: plant biology, soil science, agronomy or environmental science.
• Knowledge of laboratory or field practices related to agricultural research on crop plants.
• Knowledge of field and laboratory safe work practices.

Competencies:
• Interactive communication
• Planning and Organization
• Problem Solving
• Teamwork
• Initiative
• Concern for safety

Abilities:
• Ability to apply and adapt scientific techniques and methodologies.
• Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately and to analyze and interpret results.

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

Asset-Education:
Graduation with a Master of Science degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the following fields: plant biology; crop science; environmental science; soil science; or a related science or agricultural program.

Degree equivalency

Asset-Experience:
• Experience in ecological or environmental health monitoring.
• Experience in contribution to science reports and posters.

Asset-Knowledge:
• Knowledge of the basic concepts of soil health, soil fertility, plant nutrition, plant physiology and nutrient cycling.
• Basic knowledge of common experimental approaches for small plot field research or ecological surveying.
• Knowledge in geographic information systems and geomatics.

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

OTHER CONDITIONS:
• Possession of a valid, class 5 New Brunswick driver’s license, or other provincial/territorial equivalency.
• Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
• Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment or medication in a manner that does not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work activities, including moderate to heavy manual work such as lifting objectives up to 20 kg.
• Under normal safety precautions, ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials.
• With appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse or field environments for extended periods at a time.

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.