Livestock Specialist

Do you have knowledge and understanding of both conventional and organic production systems in the livestock production sector? Do you want to play a key role in supporting the competitiveness of Ontario's livestock sector? If so, consider this opportunity to join the dynamic Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Livestock team as a bilingual Livestock Specialist In this exciting role, you will be assessing the applicability of practices/products/technology/research to the Ontario livestock production sector. You will also develop and maintain effective partnerships with francophone livestock producers and agri-business representatives, which will involve delivering training and providing critical knowledge and understanding that will help clients along the agricultural value chain improve their competitive position. **The Ministry**: The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs helps to build a stronger agri-food sector by investing in the development and transfer of innovative technologies, retaining and attracting investment, developing markets, providing regulatory oversight, and providing effective risk management tools. The ministry also helps enable rural Ontario to build strong, vital communities with diversified economies and healthy social and environmental climates. **The Branch**: The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to being an employer of first choice, creating a positive and inclusive work environment. We offer: - a defined benefit pension plan - maternity and parental leave top-up benefits which includes adoptive parents - comprehensive health plan - life and disability insurance - flexible work arrangements - collegial and professional work culture - career growth and development opportunities across multiple business areas - on-the-job training to support your success in the role **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?**: In this role as a Provincial Specialist, you will: - Provide expertise to senior management related to transfer of livestock technologies to livestock organizations, producers and agri-business representatives with a special focus on francophone representatives - Identify concerns, issues, trends and new developments which may relate to and impact on provincial programs and policies - Develop and maintain relationships with clients, partners, coalitions and networks - Maintain expert level of knowledge on current economic development issues, research accomplishments, environmental impacts and issues, production practices, marketing trends - Develop provincial, national or international initiatives related to francophone livestock producers, organizations and agri-businesses - Facilitate industry change through educational and awareness building tools such as publications, media releases, social media, speaking engagements, training workshops and one-on-one meetings with clients **How do I qualify?**: **Mandatory**: - You have a valid G Drivers Licence to travel to remote areas not accessible by public transit. - You must possess oral and written French language skills at the advanced level. Your proficiency level will be confirmed before hire. **Technical Knowledge**: - You have knowledge of production practices and economics within the francophone livestock producer organization/agri-business/producer sector. - You have knowledge of the agricultural industry, farming and the agricultural value-chain, its economic significance, social importance and the roles/mandates of farm/commodity organizations in the rural community. - You have knowledge of relevant acts and regulations impacting livestock organizations/producers/agri-businesses to provide information on commodity standards and advise on compliance. **Research, Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills**: - You can assess information, education and training needs of agriculture and rural clients and to provide information, services and alternative innovative strategies/solutions in the francophone livestock producer/agri-business sector.. - You can investigate issues, new trends and developments related to production, management and marketing in the livestock sector. - You can review methods/techniques/programs/policies in the agriculture indus