Organization: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Division: Agricultural Development Branch
City: Guelph, Kemptville, London, Ridgetown
Language of Position(s): English
Job Term: 15 Temporary (ranging from 6 – 18 weeks between May and September)
Job Code: Student 2 – Student Level 2
Salary: $17.40 – $17.40 Per Hour*
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement. Understanding the job ad – definitions
Job ID: 199706
Are you a student or recent graduate looking for an opportunity to build your career over the summer? Are you passionate about making a difference? The Summer Employment Opportunities program provides opportunities to obtain valuable work experience, gain transferable skills, and build professional networks.
- LEARN: Jump start your career, whether you want to learn business skills, use your French language skills, help out in a lab, or work outdoors. Put the knowledge you’ve acquired at school into action.
- GROW: Enhance your skills and expand your network by working on projects, leading initiatives and sharing your ideas. Transfer the skills you learn to your future school and work experiences.
- CONTRIBUTE: In addition to advancing your professional and personal skills, you will also give back to your community. Spend your summer working to support the interests of Ontarians!
Information to assist you with the application process is available on the Summer Employment Opportunities website.
This job posting represents multiple positions within different ministries and at various locations across Ontario. Certain cities may be located in distant or remote areas in Ontario and may not be accessible by public transit. Carefully review locations through Google Maps and select ONLY those locations that you are able to travel to and work in. You can select up to 10 locations.
Notes:
- Relocation expenses and/or accommodations are not covered by ministries.
- The number of positions to be filled is approximate and subject to change.
- Please use your legal name when applying to the job ad.
OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:
We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace. We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service. We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario’s Human Rights Code. Refer to the “How to apply” section if you require a disability-related accommodation.
What can I expect to do in this role?
Agriculture Development Branch fosters innovative, competitive, and sustainable agricultural production in Ontario. The branch efficiently and effectively delivers Knowledge Translation and Transfer programs for the horticulture, livestock, and field crops sectors across Ontario. A team of highly qualified staff promote high quality agricultural production through the application of best management practices, on-farm quality assurance programs and plant and animal health strategies.
See below for available Field Crops jobs. Be sure to indicate which job type(s) you are interested in applying to when completing your application. You may select multiple job types in your application.
Field Crops Unit:
- Summer Research Assistant – Field Crop Pathology (5 located in Ridgetown)
- Summer Research Assistant – Field Crop Soil Fertility (1 located in Ridgetown)
- Summer Research Assistant – Field Crop Entomology (2 located in Ridgetown or London)
- Summer Research Assistant – Soil Management & Field Crop Agronomy (1 located in Kemptville)
- Summer Research Assistant – Field Crop Systems & Agronomy (1 located in Kemptville)
- Summer Research Assistant – Corn Crops (1 located in Guelph)
- Summer Research Assistant – Cereal Crops (3 located in Guelph)
- Summer Research Assistant (1 located in Guelph)
Work description:
- Assist with summer research and demonstration projects conducted by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Horticulture and Specialty Crops Staff.
- Activities may include the set-up and maintenance (weeding, planting, etc.) of research plots focused on production practices, soil health, weed control, pest management, and fertility etc., collection/entering of data and preparation of written reports.
- Field work may include farm tours, field scouting, identification and monitoring of insects, weeds and crop diseases.
- Assist staff with the collection and analysis of on-farm samples and data for research projects.
- Assist staff to conduct literature reviews and develop written reports and presentation materials on key initiatives and industry issues.
- Assist in the coordination of events and programs (e.g. workshops, demonstrations, field days etc.) working with key stakeholders and clients in delivery of programs and information.
- Training will be provided on research methods, technology transfer, and working in the public sector.
- Collecting, archiving, and organizing digital photos of key growth stages and major pests of various horticultural and specialty crops
- Office work may include assisting with the production of technical information such as newsletters, updating web pages, blogs, scanning images, etc.
How do I qualify?
Mandatory
You must meet all eligibility criteria by the first day of employment (contracts begin between May and July):
Student Status: You must be enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary institution (currently or for the fall semester) OR you must have graduated within the past six months (for example, if you graduated in December, you can apply for and start a summer student position up until June of the following year).
Age: You must be a minimum of 15 years of age. There is no maximum age limit.
Residency: You must be a resident of Ontario during the term of employment.
Work Status: You must be legally entitled to work in Canada. You are also required to have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) upon being hired.
Application: Applications are only accepted online by clicking the “Apply Online” button. Your application should describe how you meet the knowledge and skill requirements outlined on this job ad.
Knowledge and Skill Requirements
- You have teamwork skills to work with various internal and external stakeholders and to work within a multi-disciplinary team
- You have written communication skills to prepare a variety of documents (e.g. reports, factsheets, and articles).
- You are familiar with computer-based software applications including MS Word and MS Excel to perform data entry, conduct analysis, prepare reports, track and compile information
- You can work in an outdoor environment with physical activity involved
- You work independently or as part of a team; you plan, organize and prioritize your work to meet competing deadlines
- Familiarity with plants, farming and crop production is an asset but is not required. Training will be provided in these areas.
Other Requirements
- You are willing to travel to rural locations and must have a minimum Ontario G2 driver’s license.
- You are willing and able to work in outdoor environments in a variety of weather conditions, with some physical activity involved including light lifting, in an office and remotely (home office).
Other Summer Opportunities
We offer a variety of job types in diverse career fields. See what other summer opportunities are currently available! Also, check out all the other student and new professional opportunities offered within the Ontario Public Service.
Additional Information:
Compensation Group: Ontario Public Service Employees UnionUnderstanding the job ad – definitions
Category: Student Summer Employment Opportunities
Posted on: Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Note:
- Some positions advertised on this job ad are represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and successful candidates will be required to pay monthly union dues, which are automatically deducted from your pay.
Other positions advertised on this job ad may be excluded from the OPSEU Collective Agreement (i.e. not represented by OPSEU), depending on the business area within the Ministry in which the work is performed. You will be advised during the recruitment process by the hiring manager of the business area.
You will receive a confirmation splash page verifying receipt of your application when it has been successfully received. You will only receive an email confirmation if you have entered your email address in the application. If you do not receive a confirmation splash page, it is likely that your application was not successfully received and it is recommended that you resubmit your application. If that still does not result in a confirmation, please contact SEO@ontario.ca during the posting period. We cannot provide assistance with submitting your application after the job ad deadline date.
How to apply:
- You must apply online and complete all the mandatory questions on the application form.
- You must attach one document with your application. We recommend you attach a cover letter and resume to support the information you provide in your application. The cover letter and resume document you attach should not exceed five (5) pages combined.
- If you require accommodation to apply, or to complete this application form, please contact us at SEO@ontario.ca.
Check out the Youth and New Professionals website to learn more about Summer Employment Opportunities.
All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee’s exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.
Remember: The deadline to apply is Tuesday, January 9, 2024 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.
We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.
The OPS is transitioning to bilingual external job ads. French translations of job ads are currently available for some English language positions and all English/French designated bilingual positions.
To confirm the language requirements of a job, check the “language of position” information at the top of each job ad.
For all positions, candidates will be assessed in English, the business language of the Ontario Public Service. For English/French designated bilingual positions, candidates will also be assessed through French language proficiency testing.
La FPO passe à des offres d’emploi externes bilingues. La traduction française des offres d’emploi est actuellement disponible pour certains postes de langue anglaise et pour l’ensemble des postes désignés bilingues (anglais et français).
Pour connaître les exigences linguistiques, vérifiez les renseignements sur la « langue du poste » figurant dans le haut de chaque offre d’emploi.
Pour tous les postes, l’évaluation des candidates et candidats se fera en anglais, la langue usuelle de la fonction publique de l’Ontario. En ce qui concerne les postes désignés bilingues, la maîtrise du français des candidates et candidats sera également évaluée.
The Ontario Public Service is an inclusive employer.
Accommodation is available under the Ontario’s Human Rights Code .
Note: The only website where you can apply on-line for positions with the Ontario Public Service is http://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca