Research Technician - Animal Science

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

As part of a program, the incumbent will provide assistance on research projects focused on Beef Cattle, Forage, Grazing and Ruminant Nutrition.
Responsibilities include:
- Provide technical support and leadership for projects.
- Contribute to the experimental design and planning of experiments
- Implement and monitor resaerch projects under barn, field and greenhouse conditions.
- Contribute and maintain animal nutrition and greenhouse gas quantification laboratories.
- Contributes to the development of laboratory standard operating procedures for research activities.
- Contributes to the Swift Current Research and Development Centers`s Animal Care Protocols and Animal Use Data Form in order to maintain Canadian Council on Animal Care “Good Animal Practice Requirement”.
- Maintain forage field plots.
- Collect data as per protocols and complete sample analyses as required.
- Draft reports and contributes to the preparation of research reports and presentations.
- Maintains equipment and quality control data to ensure accurate results.
- Input data and provides initial statistical analyses as per developed model procedures.
- Provides guidance and supervision, and assign duties to other team members including summer students and graduate students.

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/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, they may be considered for acting, deployment, indeterminate, 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 from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in Animal Science, Animal Nutrition, Pasture and Grazing Management, Forage Science, Range Ecology, Biology, Microbiology or related program; or an employer approved alternative*.

*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 working with cattle and managing animal feeding trials.
Experience providing technical support in a field and laboratory environment.
Experience in creating and preparing data summary and technical or scientific writings.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of field and laboratory methodologies related to forage production and evaluation and ruminant nutrition research.
Knowledge of animal production and care

COMPETENCIES
Adaptability
Concern for Safety
Problem solving
Interactive communication
Planning and Organizing

ABILITIES
Ability to use scientific instruments and tools and to apply scientific techniques and methodologies.
Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately and interpret and analyze results.

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

ASSET EDUCATION
Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a Master with specialization in Animal Science, Animal Nutrition, Forage Science, Pasture and Grazing Management, Range Ecology, Biology, microbiology or related program.

Degree equivalency

ASSET EXPERIENCE
Experience conducting research studies to measure greenhouse gas emissions from animal agriculture.

ASSET KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of annual and perennial forage species establishment and management.

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 evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to work in a field, barn, laboratory, and greenhouse environments.
Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work with 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

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.