Agriculture Development Advisor

---

Do you want to help enhance the economic prosperity of the agri-food sector in Northern Ontario?

If so, please consider this unique opportunity.

---

About the job

Working independently to support a portfolio of clients, you will:

• develop and implement regional agricultural development strategies, action plans and initiatives
• provide technical guidance, advice, training and support to local agricultural businesses and farmers
• network and build trusting relationships with farmers, agricultural organizations, Indigenous communities and other levels of government
• contribute to the development and implementation of government policies related to agricultural development in Northern Ontario

---

What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

• You have the ability to travel to remote locations not accessible via public transportation.
• You are proficient in oral and written French at the advanced level as well as proficient in English.

Knowledge of agricultural economic development:

• You have experience providing advisory services focused on the establishment and/or growth of agricultural businesses.
• You have knowledge of the agricultural, aquaculture and food processing industries and their economic significance and social importance in rural communities.
• You have economic analysis skills to assess and interpret financial, business and economic data.
• You have knowledge of agricultural economic development programs and services provided by both the private and public sector.

Knowledge of agricultural best practices and industry issues:

• You have knowledge of the best practices, related issues, trends and developments in 2 or more of the following areas: agrology, business management, agricultural technologies, agricultural production management, livestock, primary production of crops, agri-food processing and/or agri-business development.

Community and client relationship management skills:

• You have client account management skills to develop collaborative relationships with clients, stakeholders and community partners.
• You have collaboration skills to proactively share information and work cooperatively with other subject matter experts in the industry.

Project management skills:

• You have project leadership skills to plan, implement and track project outcomes against performance measures.
• You have strategic planning skills to plan and coordinate project activities in consultation with clients and stakeholders.
• You have the ability to independently manage your workload and various project activities.

Training and group facilitation skills:

• You have knowledge of adult education and training techniques and tools.
• You have knowledge of needs assessment and program evaluation methods and tools.
• You have consultation and group facilitation skills to deliver training and technical information to agricultural clients and rural community groups.

Communication skills:

• You have oral communication and presentation skills in order to effectively deliver information and promote ministry programs.
• You have written communication and computer skills to prepare a variety of correspondence (e.g. technical reports and articles, briefing notes, educational materials).

---

Additional information:

Note:

• This ad is also available in French.

---

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.