168213 - Agri-environmental Technician - Department of Agriculture - Permanent

The Department of Agriculture is committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility. Our goal is to build a public sector workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve and to promote welcoming, diverse, inclusive, respectful workplaces that are accessible to all. We welcome all interested individuals including Indigenous People, persons with disabilities, Black, racialized, ethnic and culturally diverse groups, as well as people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identities, and gender expressions. Those looking for more information are invited to visit our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy.

The purpose of this position is to provide technical support services to the Sustainable Agriculture Section, and to assist in the effective implementation and delivery of agri-environmental programs, demonstrative agri-environmental research, and agronomic industry services. This position has a primary role of providing necessary technical support to on-going research within the Sustainable Agriculture section that will lead to improved beneficial management practices and increased agri-environmental extension and promotion.

**Duties will include but are not limited to**:

- Implementation of the PEI Soil Quality Monitoring (SQM) Project, in collaboration with the Agri-Environmental Development Coordinator;
- Conduct annual soil sampling through consistent adherence to detailed sampling protocols and prepare soil samples for analysis for the SQM Project;
- Assist with the creation of sampling protocols and training materials to ensure ongoing consistency in samples and results;
- Contact, communicate with, and provide landowners of the SQM sample sites with project information;
- Collate SQM data, update databases and contribute to data analysis;
- Planning, coordination, and implementation of on-farm applied research and demonstration trails in collaboration with Agri-Environmental Specialists;
- Participate in design and implementation of research trails by advising on effective use of all equipment assisting in the interpretation of data;
- Collaborate, plan and facilitate program operations by directly communicating with producers, industry specialists and researchers to complete field research duties and to develop field scheduling and work plans with producers;
- Conduct site visits to agricultural fields and farms to ensure compliance and complete audits for agri-environmental and other funding programs and other initiatives;
- Collect information from program advisors and program officers on site locations, physical parameters to be checked, and documentation required for multiple different types of beneficial management practices;
- Create maps and spreadsheets to compile and complete field check activities;
- Monitor condition and schedule maintenance, cleaning and repair work on the Agriculture Resource Division’s fleet of vehicles and field equipment;
- Ensure that the Division’s fleet vehicles and storage spaces have all necessary forms, paperwork and supplies;
- Ensure workplace safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are in inventory, current, and available in storage spaces and fleet vehicles;
- Maintain Division storage spaces and vehicles as necessary to meet requirements of workplace safety;
- Assist with laboratory soil sample preparation at the PEI Analytical Laboratory as required;
- Assist the Agri-Environmental Systems Officer with the technical maintenance of weather stations in the Provincial Weather Network;
- Other duties as required.

**Minimum Qualifications**:

- Degree (Bachelor of Science) with an emphasis in agriculture, environmental science, biology or a related field with some work experience in agricultural applied research or agri-environmental program delivery.

OR
- Diploma in an applied science technology program, agriculture, or a comparable diploma program with extensive experience in agricultural applied research or agri-environmental program delivery.
- Demonstrated equivalencies will be considered.
- Experience in technical agricultural work and/or agricultural fieldwork.
- Experience in research trail coordination would be considered an asset.
- Knowledge in current agricultural practices.
- Must have good skills in written and oral communication.
- Must have excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
- Must have a valid driver’s license.

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