New job Provincial Specialist, Plant Disease in Saskatchewan

Are you passionate about plant pathology, research and extension? Are you ready for a dynamic, challenging job with a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and great work-life balance? Do you want to be part of a supportive team within a ministry known for its positive culture?

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Crops and Irrigation Branch (CIB) is seeking an enthusiastic professional to provide specialist services in all areas of plant pathology. This role is responsible for the advancement of research and development of information leading to new technology and plant disease control recommendations for crops; communicating with producers, producer groups, other provincial and regional specialists, municipal and senior government officials, as well as federal, university, and industry research agencies.

Specifically, as the Provincial Specialist, Plant Disease, you will:

• Provide specialist services to the provincial government in the field of plant pathology;
• Research, develop, administer, and promote plant disease control programs, management plans, and policies with producers, industry groups, researchers, and provincial and federal government departments (for example, disease surveys and handling emerging disease issues such as clubroot and fungicide insensitivity);
• Provide plant disease diagnostic services to government personnel and the public through management of plant pathology samples and support of the Crop Protection Laboratory;
• Identify plant disease control needs and develop impartial educational and technology transfer programs that encourage public trust and resilient integrated food production systems for Saskatchewan field crops as well as specialty and horticultural crops;
• Work in collaboration with Regional Extension Crops Specialists and other Provincial Specialists to provide extension through development and presentation of information in a variety of communication formats, including publications (for example the Guide to Crop Protection and Crop Planning Guide), presentations, events and demonstrations;
• Develop legislative and regulatory framework for the implementation of plant disease control programs and policies, and advise the interpretation for enforcement purposes;
• Provide professional support to the ministry’s pesticide regulatory program in order to protect users, non-target crops and the environment;
• Work independently, and as a member of team with colleagues in CIB, including Professional Agrologists, Provincial Specialists (in areas of Entomology, Weeds, Soils, and Pesticide Regulatory), Crop Protection Laboratory staff, summer students, interns, and branch administrative and managerial staff; and
• Represent the branch, ministry and/or government at the provincial, inter-provincial and national levels.

To be successful in this role, you will bring knowledge of:

• Plant pathology, including scientific principles, diagnostics, epidemiology, and survey methodology;
• Crop production and plant disease management, preferably relevant to western Canadian prairie production conditions; and
• Plant disease research trends and extension (translating research for clients) and an understanding of the importance of adoption of best management practices to the long term growth and resilience of the industry.

You will have demonstrated the ability to:

• Take a leadership role in the development and coordination of plant disease management programs, including plant disease diagnosis and forecasting;
• Develop relationships with colleagues and clients, including farmers, ranchers, agri-businesses, researchers and a wide variety of industry and government stakeholders, representing your organization in a professional manner while maintaining effective working relationships; and
• Communicate effectively, with clarity and accuracy, in providing technical and regulatory information to producers, professional colleagues and government.

You will be:

• Motivated and enthusiastic about plant disease research and extension;
• Attentive to detail, organized and able to manage workload, establish and meet deadlines;
• Innovative in approach to day-to-day work and program delivery; and
• Client service oriented, curious and able to listen, analyze and offer recommendations to enable clients to solve production issues and understand acts and regulations related to pest control.

The knowledge for this position would typically be attained through a post-graduate degree in plant pathology with three years' related experience or an equivalent combination of academic training and related experience in the agricultural industry or in a research setting. You must also be eligible for membership in the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists.

The Ministry’s deep-rooted values system of Innovation, Teamwork, Integrity, Service Excellence and Leadership at all Levels serve as the foundation to ensure results are achieved. The successful candidate must be a team player, able to both lead and collaborate, with a reputation for integrity and a focus on service excellence and innovation in their work.

Candidates are asked to clearly describe in their covering letter where they have gained and demonstrated required knowledge and abilities. Applicants will be screened on the basis of this information.