Vegetable Crops Specialist

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Would you enjoy working outdoors, solving problems and building partnerships with the academic community and agricultural stakeholders?

If so, please consider this opportunity to help us create and transform new research and ideas into practical programs, products and services that will ensure Ontario's vegetable production industry remains competitive and environmentally responsible.

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About the job

• act as the lead provincial specialist on an assigned portfolio of vegetable crops including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, kohlrabi, onions, leeks, shallots, scallions, garlic, chives, lettuce, spinach and bok choy
• lead Ontario's technology transfer activities through the development, coordination and implementation of strategies, policies and programs
• coordinate projects designed to assess the presence and impact of new and existing approaches and activities
• prepare educational and awareness building tools to facilitate change
• act as a liaison between agricultural stakeholders and industry
• manage contentious and high priority issues

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What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirement:

• In order to conduct site visits at rural and remote locations, you must have the ability to travel to locations not serviced by public transportation.

Technical knowledge:

• You have expert knowledge of vegetable crop production theories, principles and best practices.
• You have strong knowledge of the Ontario agricultural industry (production systems, economics, agri-businesses).
• You have an understanding of related disciplines in the agricultural industry enabling you to review new and existing methods, techniques, programs and policies in order to investigate and identify their suitability for Ontario conditions.

Communication and interpersonal skills:

• You can develop professional documents, reports and educational materials using clear, concise language.
• You can present information, options and recommendations in a clear, concise and logical manner.
• You have interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective provincial, national and international working relationships and partnerships with clients.
• You can deliver information using a variety of methods (e.g. workshops, speaking engagements, media releases, internet, etc.).

Consultation and facilitation skills:

• You can conduct needs assessments and set priorities in the development of training and educational materials.
• You have an understanding of adult education principles and techniques to deliver training materials.
• You have an understanding of program evaluation methods.
• You can encourage and motivate producers, agri-businesses and agricultural organizations to develop and support policies and programs that encourage the adoption and maintenance of sustainable agriculture and environmental practices.

Research, analysis, evaluation and problem solving skills:

• You have knowledge of research methods and practices to investigate the viability and applicability of new methods and technologies.
• You are able to analyze research findings and make recommendations.
• You can develop innovative strategies and solutions in response to client requirements.
• You can investigate relevant issues, trends and developments.

Other important skills:

• You have planning and coordination skills to manage project activities and resource requirements.
• You are proficient with a variety of computer applications (e.g. e-mail, internet, word processing, spreadsheet, statistical analysis, database, etc.).

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Additional information:

Note:

• W-AF-97923/16

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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.