Biologist, Insect Population Dynamics and Pest Management

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to March 20, 2024 - 23:59, Pacific Time.

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 incumbent will work as part of a team of entomologists and other pest management specialists to conduct annual monitoring of insect populations across the Prairies, establish sentinel sites for insect monitoring, and participate in research projects related to insect population dynamics and insect pest management. The incumbent will use existing models to provide information that will be featured in Weekly Updates by the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network to support pest management decision making. The incumbent will plan, develop, and conduct comprehensive investigations in collaboration with the supervisor using a wide variety of scientific techniques, in the laboratory and in the field, as part of the development of new bioclimate models for insects and potentially for other plant pests such as weeds and plant pathogens. The incumbent will provide written technical reports, co-author scientific publications, participate in or provide workshops to support skill development, mentor and train staff (including undergraduate and graduate students), provide advice on biological research to colleagues and managers, review scientific literature to maintain an awareness of current research in entomology, give oral presentations at regional, national, and international conferences, and collaborate with local, regional, national, and international experts to deliver relevant scientific outputs.

The Prairie Pest Monitoring Network is co-chaired by Dr. Meghan Vankosky. The Network supports the agriculture industry in western Canada by providing timely information and scouting protocols to farmers and agronomists to aid in decision making for insect pest management. For more information about the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network, please visit https://prairiepest.ca.

Work environment

Under the supervision of the Director, Research, Development and Technology, the successful candidate will support research in the areas of entomology and plant health protection.

The work is performed in office/laboratory/field conditions and involves conducting activities within the Saskatoon Research and Development Centre. The work may require travel, exposure to noise and exposure to adverse weather conditions.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff one permanent full-time position in Saskatoon.

A pool of qualified and/or partially qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures in other locations listed above.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, and there is a temporary need, he or 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 from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a biological science (for example: plant science, entomology, agriculture).

Note:
The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization.

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 developing laboratory and field protocols for entomology research.
Experience handling insect specimens, preserving specimens, and identifying insects using taxonomic keys.
Experience managing, preserving, and using large datasets.
Experience using geographic information system (GIS), modeling programs, or equivalent computing software to analyze large datasets.

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 experimental design.
Knowledge of insect ecology, biology, and population dynamics.
Knowledge of insect population-level response to changes in biotic and abiotic factors, including climate change.

Competencies:
Analytical Thinking
Adaptability
Initiative
Teamwork
Interactive Communication

Abilities:
Ability to plan and organize experimental protocols.

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

Asset Qualifications - Education:
Master’s degree in entomology, ecology, pest management, biology, agriculture, or graduate studies in a discipline related to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

Asset Qualifications - Experience:
Experience conducting surveys or monitoring insects using established protocols.
Experience preparing scientific or technical publications.
Experience providing assistance in preparation of research proposals.

Asset Qualifications - Competencies:
Creativity and Innovation (for example, to modify current approaches and solutions to address new research questions).

Asset Qualifications - Abilities :
Ability to use DYMEX modelling software.
Ability to use databasing software.

Organizational Needs:
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 Security Clearance.

Possession of a valid class 5 Saskatchewan driver’s license, or provincial/ territorial equivalent.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication without impinging on the duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and/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

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.

You must provide proof of your educational credentials.

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.