Soil Carbon Specialist

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

The successful candidate will plan, develop, and conduct research on soil carbon dynamics in agricultural systems.

Duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Developing, organizing, and carrying out investigations on the relationships between agronomic management practices and soil carbon and soil health characteristics and dynamics.
• Planning and evaluating existing and new techniques for quantifying and estimating the effects of soil management on soil carbon and soil health.
• Laboratory analysis of soil carbon pools and soil health, conducting field experiments involving soil carbon and agricultural management systems.
• Contribute to writing scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications, drafting research project reports, and help developing research proposals.
• Managing the day-to-day operation of the research laboratory in conjunction with the Harrow Soil and Environment Team, including the training and supervision of students and other junior staff, as well as ordering equipment and consumables.

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:

► Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a biological science, soil or environmental science, microbiology, or other relevant specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position

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 conducting research related to sustainability outcomes (e.g. increased carbon storage) in agricultural ecosystems such as cropping systems or similar field environments.
► Experience planning and/or leading projects in a research or laboratory environment.
► Experience in a research laboratory undertaking soil carbon and/or soil health assessments using current techniques.
► Experience in interpreting research findings and writing research reports
► Experience in presenting research findings to target audiences
► Experience using computer software applications for modeling or statistical analysis

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

Asset Education:

► Graduation with an M.Sc. or Ph.D. degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in soil or environmental sciences with specialization in soil carbon and nutrient dynamics, soil biology, soil science, or other specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

Asset Experiences:

► Experience working with a multi-disciplinary research team.
► Experience managing multi-year research projects.
► Experience writing scientific publications.
► Experience in sustainable agricultural practices, such as crop rotation, organic agriculture, inter- or cover-cropping, or low-input cropping systems.
► Experience using spectroscopy approaches to assess and identify soil quality under best management practices (BMP’s).
► Experience with soil organic matter characterization, mapping and modelling

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge :

► Knowledge of general theory related to soil carbon dynamics.
► Knowledge of laboratory methods related to soil carbon dynamics.
► Knowledge of statistical methods used in ecology, soil science, or agronomy.
► Knowledge of agronomic methods to improve soil health.

Competencies :

► Analytical thinking
► Initiative
► Interactive Communication
► Planning and Organizing
► Teamwork

Abilities:

► Ability to analyze and interpret scientific data.
► Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.

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

Asset Knowledge:

General knowledge of biogeochemical interactions contributing to soil carbon dynamics.

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

Conditions of Employment

► Possession of a valid class G, Ontario driver’s license, or other provincial/territorial equivalency.
► Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
► Ability and willingness to control known allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication, such that duties to be performed are not impinged upon.
► Ability and willingness to work in the laboratory and field-based research trials.
► Ability and willingness to work with chemicals and hazardous materials.
► Ability and willingness to travel regionally, nationally and internationally as required for field studies, liaison with industry and academia, and attendance at scientific or technical meetings.

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.