Research Assistant - Research Support Unit

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

Under the general direction of the Associate Director – Research, Development and Technology, supports research programs requiring analysis of (but not limited to) soil, plant, and manure extracts, for total elemental composition: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, soluble Carbon and Nitrogen, pH and EC.

Duties include: conducting routine operation and maintenance of CN and CNS analyzers, gas chromatograph, ICP-OES, flow injection analyzer, spectrophotometers, soluble carbon and nitrogen analyzer; method development for particular applications of these techniques and data analysis.

The incumbent will be required to follow quality control and assurance programs and standard operating procedures for each analytical instrument.

Additional duties include maintenance of all extraction and digestion equipment and ensuring standard operating procedures are followed by users.

The incumbent will be required to supervise and train staff, manage resources and ensure proper inventory is kept on chemicals and supplies.

The incumbent will follow all appropriate health and safety protocols including implementation of risk assessments and safe working procedures.

The incumbent will be required to generate and maintain searchable database archives and accurate laboratory records of samples and projects and to communicate these directly to clients.

The position will involve direct interaction with AAFC scientists, visiting scientists, students and industry representatives to assist in the interpretation of results, to train others and to contribute directly in the preparation of scientific publications and in the purchase of equipment.

Work environment

Agassiz RDC is the lead centre in Canada for integrated research on peri-urban agriculture. Research focuses on developing intensive yet sustainable horticultural and forage management systems that are integrated within a peri-urban environment. The centre focuses its research activities in the following four broad strategic areas: soil health management, innovative crop production systems, integrated pest management and biodiversity enhancement.

Agassiz RDC is one of seven sites where field trials dealing with the testing of sustainable pest management tools and technologies are conducted for AAFC’s Minor Use Pesticide Program.

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

Immediate need: 1 full-time temporary position (term until April 1, 2025)

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, he/she may be considered for acting, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

Positions to be filled: 1

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:
Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in chemistry, biochemistry, soil chemistry or a related program, 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 operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of instrumentation related to chemical analysis of environmental samples (eg. ICP-OES, combustion analyzer, automated colorimetry) performing quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC).
-Experience modifying, adapting and/or developing analytical methods for specific research requirements.
-Experience in handling and storage of environmental samples.
-Experience in report writing, data presentation, and drafting of scientific papers.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
-Knowledge of principles and practices of analytical chemistry.
-Knowledge of statistical analysis and quality control.
-Knowledge of instruments used for wet chemistry analyses.

Competencies:
Problem solving
Concern for safety
Dependability
Planning and organizing

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

Asset Qualifications - Education:
Master's degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in chemistry or related field.

Degree equivalency

Asset Qualifications - Experience:
-Experience in the operation, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting of soluble carbon analyzers, HPLC, GC-MS and related instruments for analysis of environmental samples.

Asset Qualifications - Knowledge:
-Familiarity with fundamental concepts and techniques in molecular biology.

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

Possession of a valid, class 5 British Columbia driver’s license, or other provincial/territorial equivalency.
Ability and willingness to occasionally work overtime.
Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory environment for extended periods of time and under normal safety precautions.
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals and other 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.