Research Technician Integrated Soil Nutrient Management

Duties
Under the direction of research scientist, the technician will
1. Provide leadership and field and laboratory technical support for various projects.
2. Provide leadership in a soil research environment; supervise and assign duties to students and other technicians as needed.
3. Supervise activities in a soil Laboratory, maintain supplies and equipment, and ensure operations meet Health and Safety Standards.
4. Contribute to the experimental design and planning of experiments and projects, and undertake their conduct.
5. Collect data as per protocols by conducting chemical, agronomic, biological, and physical determinations on soil, plant, amendment, water and gas samples as required.
6. Maintain equipment, trouble-shoot and conduct measurements of soil, plant, amendment, water and gas sample collected using various techniques, or method.
7. Develop Standard Operational Procedures as required, use relevant methodologies and ensure equipment operation and maintenance.
8. Maintain accurate laboratory records of experiments performed and results obtained.
9. Contribute to the preparation of research reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
10. Co-ordinate research efforts with internal and external collaborators, graduate students and other stakeholders.

Work environment
The Science and Technology Branch (STB) undertakes agricultural research, development and knowledge transfer activities to support and contribute to the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector. We work with industry, academia, Provincial governments and other partners to generate new knowledge, foster innovation and increase adoption and commercialization of agricultural, agri-food, and agri-based products, process and practices. Together, we will work to support a resilient and innovative agriculture sector. The strategic objectives for the Branch include: increasing agricultural productivity; improving environmental performance; improving attributes for food and non-food uses; and addressing threats to the agriculture and agri-food value chain.The STB is organized into three agriculture regions, each with unique ecological environments to tailor delivery of national priorities to regional needs: Coastal Region; Prairie Region; and Ontario-Québec Region. In addition there is a Partnerships and Planning Directorate. Our science and technology transfer capacity is distributed across the country in an extensive network of Research Centres, farms, labs, and offices.This position will report to Soil Nutrient Management Research Scientist at the Summerland Research and Development Centre. The incumbent will provide technical support for field and laboratory research to be conducted at Summerland research farm and in grower fields located across British Columbia, particularly in Okanagan valley, Similkameen valley and Shuswap region. Travel to field sites will be required. The position will involve the supervision of a junior research technician, summer students and short-term technical support staff

Intent of the process
A pool of qualified and partially qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various employment tenures.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

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.

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Reliability Status security clearance

• Possession of or ability to possess a valid, class 5 British Columbia driver’s license, or other provincial/territorial equivalency.
• Ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse, growth chamber and field environments.
• Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.
• Ability and willingness to work on or around farm machinery.
• Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication without impinging on the duties to be performed.
• With appropriate safety precautions in place, ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials.
• Ability and willingness to lift equipment and samples (up to 20 kg) on occasion for short periods of time.
• Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
• Ability and willingness to travel and work in remote areas.

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Education:
• Secondary school diploma or 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).

Experience:
• Experience designing, planning and conducting research projects related to soil, plants and soil amendments in a field and laboratory settings.
• Experience in analysing soil, plant and amendment samples.
• Experience in organizing and summarizing data and statistical analysis.

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of soil fertility and integrated soil nutrient management relevant to horticultural crops.
• Knowledge of methodologies and equipment related to soil, plant and soil amendments research in horticultural crops.
• Knowledge of plant physiology.
• Knowledge of experimental design.

Competencies:
• Interactive communication
• Planning and organizing
• Creativity and Innovation
• Problem Solving

Abilities:
• Ability to establish and conduct field trials.
• Ability to use scientific instruments and to apply scientific techniques and methodologies in a laboratory setting.

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Applied / assessed at a later date

English essential - You are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of your choice.

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Education:
• Bachelor of Science degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in soil science, environmental sciences, plant science, chemistry or other field relevant to the position

Experience:
• Experience in designing and setting up irrigation systems.
• Experience in using Segmented Flow Analyzer, and Carbon and Nitrogen Elemental Analyzer.
• Experience in fruit quality assessment.
• Experience in assisting with the drafting of research presentations and reports.
• Experience in supervising staff and allocating tasks.
• Experience in working with perennial horticultural crops.

In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Indigenous peoples, Persons with a Disability; Visible Minorities, Women.Supporting employment continuity by prioritizing AAFC employees impacted by workforce adjustment for job opportunities.

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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.

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Preference will be given to veterans first, followed by Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of jobs located in Nunavut or Yukon. For positions located in Nunavut, qualified Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement will be appointed first. For positions located in Yukon, qualified Yukon First Nations will be appointed first, followed by qualified Indigenous persons.

Learn more about preference to veterans.

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