Small Ruminant Specialist

**Small Ruminant Specialist**:
**Job ID**:

- 232887

**Posting status**:

- Open

**Organization**:

- Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

**Division**:

- Agriculture Development Branch

**City**:

- Elora, Guelph, Lindsay, Stratford, Woodstock

**Position(s) language**:

- English

**Job term**:

- 1 Temporary up to 12 months (with possible extension)

**Job code**:

- 12124 - Industrial Development Officer 3

**Salary**:

- $1,627.28 - $2,077.03 Per week*
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

**The Ministry**
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness 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**

**Work site**
Please note that the headquarter location is based out of Lindsay, however, you may be able to work out of the following locations depending on operational considerations:

- 1 Stone Rd, Guelph
- 6484 Wellington Rd 7, Elora
- 401 Lakeview Dr,, Woodstock
- 63 Lorne Ave E., Stratford

**About the job**: In this role, as a Small Ruminant Specialist you will:

- Help lead Ontario's technology transfer activities relating to the small ruminant sector through the development, coordination and implementation of strategies, policies, and programs.
- Consult with client organizations and agencies to identify concerns, issues, trends and new developments
- coordinate and implement programs and projects with experts, industry and organization personnel to develop and prepare educational materials, training tools and other programs
- Prepare educational and awareness-building training and tools to facilitate change.
- review and assess leading-edge research and best management production practices from around the world and adapt the findings to Ontario industry needs
- provide leadership and effective liaison between the research community and industry to determine the applicability of new technologies, and to help establish research priorities/activities
- provide expertise to senior management regarding the development, coordination, and implementation of strategies, policies, programs and issues management for the small ruminant sector
- represent provincial or ministry interests on multidisciplinary working groups to develop provincial, national or international initiatives related to the sector

**What you bring to the team**:
**Mandatory requirements**:
**Technical knowledge**: You have:

- expert knowledge and understanding of scientific theories, industry practices and principles of production, economics, business management, and marketing within the small ruminant sectors to develop expert leading edge information and educational materials to assist clients improve their competitive position.
- knowledge of the small ruminant/livestock sector, its economic significance, social importance and the roles/mandates of farm/commodity organizations in the rural community.
- knowledge on current economic development issues, research accomplishments, environmental issues, production practices, marketing trends and theories, as well as worldwide programs and services provided by governments, universities and private institutions.

**Interpersonal and communication skills**: You have:

- oral and written communication skills to develop and deliver information using a variety of methods (e.g. reports, workshops, speaking engagements, media releases, internet).
- interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective partnerships with multiple levels of government as well as industry stakeholders and clients.
- present information, outline options/recommendations on how technologies, policies and programs can be applied, facilitate understanding and promote acceptance.
- ability to assert influence to 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, analytical and problem solving skills**: You have:

- knowledge of research methods and practices to investigate the viability and applicability of new methods and technologies techniques and technology, analyze validity of research findings, prepare reports and provide recommendations on their suitability and applicability for Ontario conditions
- analytical and problem-solving skills to assess information, education and training needs of agriculture and rural clients, and provide information, services and alternative innovative strategies and solutions.
- evaluative skills to investigate issues, new trends and developments related to production, management and marketing in