About the position
Duties
The Research Assistant is responsible for seeding, plot maintenance, harvest, grain cleaning, and sample analysis in support of various AAFC research projects. This position requires the operation of small farm equipment (e.g., tractor, sprayer), farm machinery (e.g., seeders, sprayers, harvesters, etc.), and working outside in varying weather conditions.
Work environmentAAFC 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
The immediate need is to staff a temporary full-time position in Outlook, Saskatchewan.
A pool of qualified and/or partially qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures.
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
Important messages
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. We also have various employee diversity networks dedicated to ensuring that our department continues to grow as an inclusive employer.
Conditions of employment
Conditions of Employment:
Reliability and Security : Reliability Status
Possession of a valid Class 5 Saskatchewan driver’s license, or other provincial/territorial equivalency.
Ability and willingness to acquire a valid pesticide applicator certificate of qualification.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours
Ability and willingness to travel
Ability and willingness to work overtime including weekends.
Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
With appropriate safety precautions in place:
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse, field and/or environments for extended periods at a time;
Ability and willingness to work outdoors under various weather conditions;
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials;
Ability and willingness to handle and apply pesticides;
Ability and willingness to operate farm machinery (seeders, sprayers, harvesters, etc.).
You need (essential for the job)
Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following
Education:
A secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives (see Note).
Note:
1. 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.
At a later stage in the selection process, you will be required to provide documentation verifying your educational credentials.
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).
Learn more about degree equivalency.
Experience:
Experience with agricultural field or research plot activities.
Experience identifying or sampling crops, weeds, plant diseases or insects commonly occurring in field situations.
Experience collecting soil, plant, water or air samples, and recording data.
Applied / assessed at a later date
Knowledge:
Knowledge of agricultural practices used in Canadian Prairies.
Competencies:
Planning and organizing
Initiative
Problem solving
Teamwork
You may need (asset qualifications)
May be applied / assessed at a later date
Certification:
Possession of a valid pesticide applicator certificate of qualification.
Experience:
Experience growing various plant species in the field.
Experience operating research plot equipment or farm equipment.
Experience applying pesticides in field crop situations.
Knowledge:
Knowledge of plant taxonomy.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you apply.
Learn more about diversity and inclusion in the public service.
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.
Learn more about employment equity.