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.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers. We welcome all applicants and strongly encourage candidates to self-declare if they belong to an Employment Equity designated group (i.e. Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities, or Women).
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).
As part of the MSc program (project), the incumbent will manage and organize a forage seed and plant establishment project.
Duties include:
- Setup, organize, manage and monitor forage plant trials in the glasshouse and field settings.
- Collect and analyze samples related to these trials, measure forage plant responses, and prepare soil samples for DNA analyses.
The soil biology and forage teams at the Swift Current research station have a crew of two research scientists, a research biologist, three technicians, and a general labourer. Undergraduate co-op students are also part of our team, particularly in the summer months, but also during some winter semesters.
The successful candidate will help setup and manage glasshouse and field trials that focus on establishing valuable yet difficult native forage species. The candidate will work closely with the research team and a University of Saskatchewan professor & international collaborators in Utah, USA, who will provide all the necessary support. In implementing the project, the successful candidate is willing:
- to work with the research teams to coordinate research activities.
- to work with field crews to setup, organize, manage & monitor field trials and glasshouse experiments.
- to work with specialized equipment (seed treater) after completing relevant safety training.
- to work in a laboratory environment: the Soil Biology research program has a fully functional set of laboratory equipment to treat seed and produce soil inoculum for experimentation and analysis. Technicians will facilitate and provide all the necessary help while the candidate implements the lab analysis protocols to analyze collected samples.
- to work under various environmental and weather conditions: the plant establishment field trial and sample collection will be conducted in the fall, spring, and summer periods and lab analysis will be conducted in subsequent months. The glasshouse experiments are typically initiated during the winter months since the Swift Current research station has high-end glasshouse facilities.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 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.
Positions to be filled: 1
Your résumé.
Contact information for 2 references.
A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses that you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year
Education:
Currently enrolled or will be enrolled in a Master’s program at the University of Saskatchewan with specialization in: Biological sciences, Agriculture sciences, Forestry, Microbiology, Ecology, Seed biology, Forage sciences, or Range ecology. For candidates that are currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s of Science degree in the abovementioned specialization, their program completion date is required to occur on or before June 7, 2025.
Note: Must be currently recognized as having full-time student status in the academic institution in which you are presently enrolled, pending approval of acceptance or in the process of submitting your application. Proof of enrollment will be required prior to start date and the student must be returning to full-time studies for your next academic term. The student must meet the eligibility requirement to enroll at the University of Saskatchewan.
Experience:
Experience* in working outdoors or in a laboratory environment dedicated to conducting scientific research.
Experience* in collecting experimental data and writing reports.
*In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.
English essential
Information on language requirements
Knowledge:
Knowledge of agriculture or rangelands or pastures for cattle or bison.
Knowledge of plant seed and propagation methods, soil, and microbiology.
Competencies:
Adaptability
Concern for safety
Planning and organizing
Abilities:
Ability to work in the field and monitor forage trials.
Ability to collect and record data accurately and interpret results.
Ability to work in a lab setting, apply microbiological and seed techniques, and analyze results.
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
Reliability Status security clearance - Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment and, therefore will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-relevant documents.
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 and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to work in a field, pasture, native prairie, laboratory, and glasshouse environments.
Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials (e.g. some acids under a fumehood).
Ability and willingness to work in Swift Current and to travel to the University of Saskatchewan.
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
Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply online through https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/opportunities/government.html.
Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying online are asked to contact the email referenced below under “Contact Information.”
Candidates will be required to pay for their own travel related to assessment and successful candidates will be responsible for obtaining their own living accommodations.
Successful completion of both a RAP work assignment and your educational program may lead to a temporary or permanent federal public service position for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.
We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.