Student - Agriculture Development (Horticulture

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 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 (opens in a new tab)** 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. - Summer placements are typically full-time (working 36.25hrs/week or 40 hrs/week). However some part-time placements MAY be available based on mutual agreement between the hiring manager and student, if operationally feasible. Please inquire at the interview stage. **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. 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?**: As a student working in the Horticulture section of the Agriculture Development Branch, you may have the opportunity to work in one of these specialty areas: - Greenhouse (i.e. Floriculture, Vegetables, fruits, vertical farms, controlled environment agriculture) - Vegetable Crops - Maple, Tree Nut & Agroforestry - Nursery Crops - Fruit Crops - Entomology - Pathology - Weed Management - Soil Management / Soil Fertility Work description: - Assist with summer research and demonstration projects conducted by 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 visits, 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): - **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 and have a valid Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN) for the full duration of your summer employment. **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 can work in an