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.
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.
Summerland:
The Summerland Research and Development Centre (SRDC) invites applications for a Research Scientist position with specialization in integrated pest management of arthropod pests of grapes and other woody perennial fruit crops. The Centre, located in Summerland (Okanagan Valley in British Columbia), conducts research on horticultural crop production, including wine grapes and tree fruits, sustainable production, and processing systems for development of high quality agri-food products. The incumbent will develop an innovative research program that generates new knowledge, tools, technologies, and practices to mitigate and adapt to climate change, enhance biodiversity, and improve the resilience of agro-ecosystems, which will support the economic growth of the sector/s. The new scientist will apply their knowledge of insect pest biology, integrated pest management, monitoring and sampling techniques, economic thresholds, and mitigation strategies that make use of clean technologies (cultural, biological, microbial controls) to deliver pest management solutions to build resilient agro-ecosystems.
Kentville:
The Kentville Research and Development Centre (KRDC) invites applications for a Research Scientist position with specialization in integrated pest management of invasive and emerging insect and arthropod pests in small fruit and wine-grape, using biovigilance and biocontrol approaches. The primary focus of the Centre is support to the Atlantic and Canadian horticultural sector (addressing dominant perennial crops such as apples, blueberries, a growing wine grape industry, in addition to strawberries, raspberries and some vegetables) through advancements in sustainable production, identifying beneficial food attributes, beneficial environmental practices, and genetic improvement of horticultural crops. The incumbent will develop and lead a research program that focuses on invasive and re-emerging pests impacting small fruit and wine-grape cropping systems, with increasing challenges faced under climate change. Expected outcomes of the incumbent's research will be new knowledge on alternative mitigation tactics to manage key economic pests, using biovigilance and biocontrol as integrated approaches, that will further support existing strategies to promote health and resilience of agroecosystems. The incumbent will be part of a multidisciplinary team of plant breeders, physiologists, plant pathologists, soil scientists, and entomologists, and will have access to dedicated office and laboratory space as well as access to greenhouse and field research sites in support of research activities.
For both positions, the incumbent would cooperate or collaborate regionally with growers, provincial extension personnel, and university professors; nationally with researchers in other; and internationally with researchers throughout the world. AAFC scientists have access to core and competitive funding opportunities, and are supported by technical and administrative staff and are encouraged to seek university affiliation and co-supervise graduate students.
The Summerland Research and Development Centre, located in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, conducts research on horticultural crop production, including wine grapes and tree fruits, sustainable production, and processing systems for development of high quality agri-food products.
The Kentville Research and Development Centre supports the Atlantic and Canadian horticultural sector (addressing dominant perennial crops such as apples, blueberries, a growing wine grape industry, in addition to strawberries, raspberries and some vegetables) through advancements in sustainable production, identifying beneficial food attributes, beneficial environmental practices, and genetic improvement of horticultural crops.
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.
Summerland
The Summerland Research and Development Centre (SRDC) invites applications for a Research Scientist position with specialization in integrated pest management of arthropod pests of grapes and other woody perennial fruit crops. The Centre, located in Summerland (Okanagan Valley in British Columbia), conducts research on horticultural crop production, including wine grapes and tree fruits, sustainable production, and processing systems for development of high quality agri-food products.
Kentville
The Kentville Research and Development Centre (KRDC) invites applications for a Research Scientist position with specialization in integrated pest management of invasive and emerging insect and arthropod pests in small fruit and wine-grape, using biovigilance and biocontrol approaches. The primary focus of the Centre is support to the Atlantic and Canadian horticultural sector (addressing dominant perennial crops such as apples, blueberries, a growing wine grape industry, in addition to strawberries, raspberries and some vegetables) through advancements in sustainable production, identifying beneficial food attributes, beneficial environmental practices, and genetic improvement of horticultural crops.
The immediate need is to staff two positions on an indeterminate basis. 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: 2
Your résumé.
Education:
Graduation with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field of science with a specialization related to the duties of the position, such as, but not limited to:
• Entomology
• Integrated Pest Management
Note: Persons may apply who are currently within their final year of the relevant Ph.D. program, but must have defended their thesis and satisfied all requirements of the Ph.D. degree prior to appointment.
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).
Experience:
• Experience in the design and conduct of scientific research specifically as it relates to the management of insect pests of plants.
• Experience in observational or experimental studies of insect or mite biology or ecology.
• Experience in statistical analysis of biological research data.
• Documented scientific productivity/recognition in the form of authorship/editorship of research results in the area of biology, ecology, or management of arthropod pests of plants, in recognized scientific journals, and published reports, books, papers or other communications resulting from scientific research.
Asset Qualifications - Experience:
• Experience in research techniques to evaluate insect vectors of plant pathogens.
• Experience in the application of molecular approaches in biological research.
• Experience in chemical ecology i.e., study of pheromones and other semiochemicals.
• Experience in evolutionary or behavioural ecology of arthropod ‒ host plant interactions.
• Experience in the application of GIS-based approaches in biological research.
• Experience interacting with industry and other stakeholders to garner support and research direction.
• Experience in writing grant applications.
• Experience managing multi-year projects with associated human resource, budgetary, and planning functions.
English essential
Information on language requirements
Knowledge:
• Knowledge of insect biology, ecology, and life histories.
• Knowledge of experimental design and data analysis specifically as they relate to development of innovative methods in field and laboratory studies.
• Knowledge of traditional and emerging techniques in entomology, including principles of Integrated Pest Management and insect identification.
Competencies:
• Adaptability
• Problem Solving
• Intellectual Leadership
• Teamwork
Abilities:
• Ability to communicate scientific subject matter verbally.
• Ability to communicate scientific subject matter in writing.
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
Operational Requirements:
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
• Ability and willingness to work in various environmental and weather conditions.
• Ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field environments for extended periods at a time.
• Ability and willingness to work with chemicals.
Reliability Status security clearance
Possession of a valid driver’s licence or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the possession of a valid driver’s licence.
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 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.