Research Assistant – Plant Biology

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

A Research Assistant is required to work under the Wheat Breeding and Research Program at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre. The program focuses on the development of new wheat varieties and wheat germplasm through the application of breeding tools and technologies. The successful candidate will contribute to diverse aspects of the program by carrying out field, greenhouse, and laboratory activities related to wheat breeding and research. The incumbent will collect data, conduct analyses and contribute to reports and publications.
The incumbent will contribute to maintain cultivars, hybrids and other living plant material. The incumbent will contribute to the development and implementation of experiments, take samples, prepare and analyze samples following experimental protocols and new knowledge. The incumbent will work in multi-disciplinary teams at the local and national levels to improve sustainability of crop production. The successful candidate will interact with students, casuals, and postdocs, and provide leadership and training within the laboratory and field.

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

Immediate need: 1 full-time permanent position

A pool of qualified and partially qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions on a temporary or permanent basis with various linguistic requirements.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, they 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
A secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives*.

*The employer-approved alternatives to a secondary school diploma are:
• 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 providing technical support in an agricultural crop research program.
Experience managing resources, such as equipment, materials and supplies.
Experience conducting activities related to crop germplasm development.
Experience with data analysis and summarization.
Experience contributing to technical documents and presentations.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of wheat development and wheat diseases and/or pests.
Knowledge of weed and insect control.

COMPETENCIES
Interactive communication
Planning and organizing
Problem solving
Teamwork
Team Leadership

ABILITIES
Ability to make observations and take field notes on cereal crop.
Ability to analyze, interpret and summarize data accurately.

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

ASSET EXPERIENCE
Experience providing technical support in a cereal breeding program.

ASSET KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of wheat breeding.
Knowledge of cereal variety registration.

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 Saskatchewan driver’s license, or other provincial/territorial equivalency.
Ability and willingness to work overtime including evening and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work for extended periods requiring concentration and manipulation of computer or palm pilot key board and mouse.
Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication without impinging on the duties to be performed.
With appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and field environments for extended periods at a time.
Ability and willingness to work outdoors under various weather conditions and under normal safety precautions.
Able and willingness to work with hazardous materials.
Ability and willingness to travel regionally and nationally as required for field studies, 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

ASSESSMENT 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 the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
• Matching the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
• Depth, breadth, and 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 educational 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 emails from unknown users (some email systems block these types of emails).

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.