National inventory
- Open to all regardless of education, experience, language ability and location. Apply on our recruitment platform.
- Questions? Email aafc.tacoe-ceeat.aac@agr.gc.ca
Related
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) offers a wide variety of careers in many different fields. Join our talented team that supports innovation and ingenuity to build a world-leading agricultural and food economy for the benefit of all Canadians.
Employment streams
Science and technology
Science and technology careers encompass a wide range of professions and occupations that involve applying scientific principles and technological innovations to solve problems, develop new products, and advance our understanding of the world. At AAFC, these careers are essential for driving innovation, improving the quality of life and shaping the future.
Biological sciences (BI)
AAFC hires biologists who specialize in a range of sub-disciplines, including: microbiology, physiology, botany or entomology. Some tasks a biologist may take on:
- planning and conducting studies
- writing research reports and grant proposals
- interpreting and analyzing biological data
- planning and executing research projects in fields related to agriculture
- providing technical support
- leading biological projects in a research laboratory environment
- preparing scientific manuscripts
Engineering and scientific support (EG)
These research assistants and technicians play a crucial role in supporting scientific research and experiments in a laboratory or field setting. Their responsibilities vary depending on the type of laboratory and its focus, which can include fields like chemistry, biology and environmental science. These roles provide essential support for scientific research, analysis and experimentation.
Engineering (EN)
Professionals in this group apply scientific principles and skilled knowledge to plan, design, create, build, maintain and improve structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes. Engineers at AAFC use their knowledge to solve practical problems. A few examples of careers: environmental engineers, mechanical engineers and chemical engineers.
General labour and trades (GL)
Employees in this group are primarily involved in fabricating, maintaining, repairing, operating and protecting machines, equipment, vehicles, government facilities and structures. A sample of GL positions at AAFC:
- automobile mechanic, farm equipment mechanic, engine mechanic (General Labour and Trades – Vehicle Heavy Equipment Maintaining, GL-VHE)
- farmhand-livestock caretaker, greenhouse worker, gardener (General Labour and Trades – Manipulating, GL-MAN)
- power-shovel operator, tractor operator, truck driver (Machine Driving-Operating, GL-MDO)
- electrical instrument repairer, electrical repairer, electrician (General Labour and Trades – Electrical Installing and Maintaining, GL-EIM)
Physical science group (PC)
The work of physical scientists focusses on the fundamental principles of physics and involves planning and conducting research studies, evaluating and interpreting scientific information and providing advice related to geoscience and environmental issues. A few examples of careers in this group: land resource analysts and soil resource specialists.
Research scientist (SE-RES)
A research scientist has advanced education and in-depth knowledge of concepts, theories and research methods in a specific scientific field. Researchers contribute with new knowledge, technology and methodologies. They also put forward new applications of existing technologies related to a specific scientific field for the benefit of AAFC and the agricultural community. They are responsible for developing research hypotheses, designing experiments, analyzing data and publishing research findings.
Corporate services
A wide range of support functions and activities within an organization, corporate services ensure
- efficient operations
- good management of the organization
- compliance with regulations
- the maintenance of a productive work environment
Administrative services (AS)
Employees in this group help ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the office or workplace. Duties may include
- coordinating office services such as accommodation
- coordinating processes for staffing and purchasing
- approval tracking, document management and reporting
- scheduling and travel arrangements
- occupational health and safety
- security services
- budgeting and project planning
Examples of careers in the AS group: administrative and executive assistants, planning and coordination officers, project officers, correspondence and records management officers.
Financial administration (CT-FIN)
Employees in this group analyze financial information and provide advice and recommendations to management on financial planning, risk management and performance management. Regular duties include
- business planning
- resource management
- budgeting and forecasting
- financial analysis and reporting
Examples of careers in the CT-FIN group: financial analysts, financial officers as well as financial policy and system analysts.
Information services (IS)
Employees in this group are responsible for internal and external communications and conducting research into public attitudes and perceptions. Regular duties may include
- analyzing, developing and delivering strategic communications or marketing plans
- promoting and publishing federal government programs, policies and services
- providing leadership on crisis and emergency communications
- providing communications support and advice to the Minister, deputy ministers and all branches in the department through a full range of strategic and operational activities
- coordinating departmental interactions with media and analyzing media coverage of issues, policies and programs
A few examples of careers in the IS group: strategic communications advisor, media relations advisor, speechwriter, videographer, web usability analyst, marketing advisor.
Information technology (IT)
Employees in this group manage and maintain our software, hardware and network systems, ensuring that they operate efficiently, securely and reliably. Regular duties may include
- providing technical assistance and support to employees
- designing, developing, and maintaining software applications, hardware and systems
Examples of careers in the IT group: IT security analyst, IT support specialists and programmer analysts.
Program and policy services
These services are responsible for developing, implementing and managing programs and policies to achieve specific organizational objectives. Program and policy services are crucial in shaping the organization's strategies, ensuring compliance with regulations and driving initiatives to achieve its goals. At AAFC, they include
- program and policy development and implementation
- program management
- policy compliance
- evaluation and reporting
- strategic planning
- government and regulatory affairs
Commerce (CO)
Employees in this group work closely with industry to foster a competitive agriculture and agri-food sector. They engage with stakeholders, conduct business research, gather market intelligence as well as identify and analyze emerging issues. Regular duties may include
- promoting economic development by identifying funding opportunities for producers and industry
- writing analytical reports
- supporting, designing, delivering and managing programs to advance agricultural interests in bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations
Economics and social science services (EC)
Employees in this group primarily conduct surveys, studies and projects in the social sciences. Regular duties may include
- conducting economic, socio-economic and sociological research studies, forecasts and surveys
- researching, analysing and evaluating the economic or sociological effects of departmental or interdepartmental projects, programs and policies
- developing, analyzing and evaluating statistical and survey methods and systems
- analyzing and interpreting qualitative and quantitative information
- formulating socio-economic policies and recommendations
Examples of careers in the EC group: economists, trade policy advisors and policy analysts
Program administration (PM)
Employees in this group plan, develop, deliver or manage administrative and federal government policies, programs or services directed to the agriculture and agri-food sector. They manage the day-to-day operations of programs, ensuring that they are executed efficiently, effectively and in alignment with AAFC's goals. Examples of careers in the PM group: program officers and program analysts.
Executive group (EX)
Employees in this group are responsible for leadership, decision making and managing every function of the department. Positions in the EX group are at higher levels of responsibility, such as directors and directors general.
Opportunities for students and graduates
In this section
Student employment
Begin your career by applying for student employment in the federal government through the following programs:
- Federal Student Work Experience Program
- Post-Secondary CO-OP/Internship Program
- Research Affiliate Program
Indigenous Student Recruitment Initiative
The Indigenous Student Recruitment Initiative (ISRI) aims to increase awareness, recruitment, engagement and retention of Indigenous students at AAFC. The ISRI offers Indigenous students
- valuable work experience that allows for personal growth while completing their academic studies
- opportunity to gain knowledge and skills associated with science and other professions within the federal public service
- unique networking opportunities through a variety of platforms with coaching and mentoring opportunities
- Elder services throughout the year
Opportunities for Indigenous Students
Indigenous students share their experiences working at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in positions acquired through the Federal Student Work Experience Program.
Video transcript
[Light electronic music fades up.]
[Two workers are pruning apple trees in an orchard. The title of the video appears over this image.]
Text on screen: Opportunities For Indigenous Youth, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
[The video cuts to an image of Sterling-Rae King. She is standing against a black background and is speaking slightly off camera.]
Sterling-Rae King: My name is Sterling-Rae and I'm from the BC Metis Nation.
[The video cuts to an image of Alexandra Freedman. She is standing against a black background and is speaking slightly off camera.]
Alexandra Freedman: My name is Ali and I am Metis.
[The video cuts to an image of Kaylie Atkinson. She is standing against a black background and is speaking slightly off camera.]
Kaylie Atkinson: My name is Kaylie Atkinson and I am First Nations status.
[The video cuts to an image of Brayden Jones. He is standing against a black background and is speaking slightly off camera.]
Brayden Jones: My name is Brayden Jones and I am Metis.
[Cut back to Sterling-Rae King.]
Sterling-Rae King: What attracted me to work with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada...
[Cut to a shot of Sterling-Rae taking readings in a vineyard.]
...was that it was the perfect opportunity to be able to continue my learning throughout the summer in an out of classroom setting.
[Cut back to Alexandra Freedman.]
Alexandra Freedman: I applied through the FSWEP program and I self-identified as indigenous. When I first got the job I didn't really know what agriculture was. I just thought it was dealing with cows and pigs.
[Cut to a shot of Brayden Jones working in a lab.]
Kaylie Atkinson: You're doing hands on stuff everyday so it's definitely something you're going to use in the future.
[Cut back to Kaylie Atkinson.]
I've learned a lot so far.
[Cut back to Brayden Jones.]
Brayden Jones: I'm a first year student just coming out of university and I'm working right beside a researcher.
[Cut back to Sterling-Rae King.]
Sterling-Rae King: I think the most surprising thing about working here is being able to see all the different jobs that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada offers.
[Cut to a series of shots showing the different types of work available through AAFC.]
There's more than just the science and research part of this and all the other jobs coming in.
[Cut to a shot of an employee walking up to the front doors of the Summerland Research and Development Centre.]
Alexandra Freedman: I would definitely recommend getting into the government.
[Cut back to Alexandra Freedman.]
I think now more than ever, if you're given the chance, or if you're able to put yourself out there and make a name for yourself and make a name for indigenous youth, and in general just indigenous people in the government of Canada, that's a major thing.
[Cut back to Kaylie Atkinson.]
Kaylie Atkinson: Being an indigenous woman, I think it's so important for other indigenous youth to work in the government.
[Cut back to Alexandra Freedman.]
Alexandra Freedman: There's tons of jobs out there especially if you're indigenous. It truly is a rewarding experience and it looks great on a resume as well.
[Cut back to Brayden Jones.]
Brayden Jones: It seems like just yesterday that I started. I can't believe how much I've grown this summer.
[Cut back to a shot of Sterling-Rae King working in a vineyard.]
Sterling-Rae King: I really like working for the government. I think it's a great opportunity.
[Cut back to Sterling-Rae King.]
I would definitely recommend it.
[Cut back to Kaylie Atkinson.]
Kaylie Atkinson: I definitely would recommend it.
[Cut back to Brayden Jones.]
Brayden Jones: The more people that are able to get involved with it, the better.
[Cut back to Alexandra Freedman.]
Alexandra Freedman: There's so much that this department deals with, there's so much science, and so much thought that goes behind everything about agriculture. It's a great learning experience.
[Fade to black.]
[Fade up from black.]
Text on screen: For more information contact AAFC's Elder, Mervin Traverse at mervin.traverse@canada.ca
[The Canada wordmark appears on the screen with an animated Canadian flag over the last letter of the word.]
Text on screen: Canada
[Black text appears under the Canada wordmark.]
Text on screen: © Her Majesty the Queen in the Right of Canada, represented by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (2016).
[Light electronic music fades out.]
[Fade to white.]
Opportunities for Indigenous Employees
Indigenous employees of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada describe the benefits of working for the Department.
Video transcript
[Light electronic music fades up.]
[A truck is driving through a vineyard. The title of the video appears over this image.]
Text on screen: Opportunities For Indigenous Employees, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
[The video cuts to an image of Angelene Giesbrecht. She is standing against a black background and is speaking slightly off camera.]
Angelene Geisbrecht: My name is Angelene Giesbrecht. Cree and Ojibwe are my heritage.
[The video cuts to an image of Jackie Mason. She is standing against a black background and is speaking slightly off camera.]
Jackie Mason: My name is Jackie Mason. I'm Metis.
[The video cuts to an image of Erle Einarsson. He is standing against a black background and is speaking slightly off camera.]
Erle Einarsson: My name is Erle Einarsson. I am Ojibwe.
[The video cuts to an image of Darren Cook. He is standing against a black background and is speaking slightly off camera.]
Darren Cook: My name is Darren Cook. I am a quiet, shy Mohawk.
[The video cuts to an image of Tony Savard. He is standing against a black background and is speaking slightly off camera.]
Tony Savard: I am Tony Savard. And I am also an indigenous person.
[Light electronic music continues.]
[Cut back to the shot of Erle Einarsson.]
Erle Einarsson: We are a nature-based people.
[Cut to a shot of an indigenous student working in a vineyard.]
Agriculture is also a nature-based industry.
[Cut to a close up of the indigenous student using high tech equipment.]
[Cut back to the shot of Erle Einarsson.]
We need to get more of our young people, well not just our young people but all of our people more involved.
[Cut back to the shot of Angelene Giesbrecht.]
Angelene Giesbrecht: There are areas that are maybe under represented from the indigenous community.
[Cut back to the shot of Jackie Mason.]
Jackie Mason: Indigenous people are the people of the land.
[Cut to a shot of two workers pruning apple trees in an orchard.]
They respected their environments.
[Cut to a series of shots of freshly grown produce.]
They respected the wildlife. That's the spirit and those are the ideas that we need...
[Cut back to the shot of Jackie Mason.]
...when we're thinking about innovation, when we're thinking about what we need going forward.
[Light electronic music continues.]
[Cut back to the shot of Tony Savard.]
Tony Savard: It's important to bring this knowledge, this strength, back to the department.
[Cut to a shot of an indigenous student taking reading in a vineyard.]
Jackie Mason: There's also fresh ideas, fresh ways of thinking of things.
[Cut to a series of shots of an indigenous student working in a lab.]
It's great to have that youth perspective.
[Cut back to the shot of Angelene Giesbrecht.]
Angelene Giesbrecht: They are needed in the government.
[Cut back to the shot of Darren Cook.]
Darren Cook: To me they're the future. The represent the future.
[Light electronic music continues.]
[Cut back to the shot of Tony Savard.]
Tony Savard: It's also important for them to consider Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada as an employer of choice.
[Cut back to the shot of Jackie Mason.]
Jackie Mason: I see AAFC as a department that cares.
[Cut to a shot of Jackie Mason working at her computer.]
They want to embrace us as a culture and as a people.
[Cut back to the shot of Darren Cook.]
Darren Cook: It's the type of department that allows you to have many opportunities.
[Cut to a series of shots showing lab work, field work, office work, etc.]
If you don't like this job you can always try another job. Within Ottawa or across the country.
[Cut to an aerial view of one of the AAFC greenhouses.]
[Cut to an image of an AAFC truck driving through a field.]
[Cut to an image of Angelene Giesbrecht working at her computer.]
Angelene Giesbrecht: There are plenty of opportunities in areas, not only just in science or just in the agriculture research part of it.
[Cut back to the shot of Erle Einarsson.]
Erle Einarsson: If you like working with people...
[Cut to a shot of an employee walking up to the doors of the Summerland Research and Development Centre.]
...this is a good place to be.
[Cut to a shot of Erle Einarsson at his desk, smiling.]
[Cut back to the shot of Erle Einarsson.]
It gives us a way to expand our community.
[Light electronic music continues.]
[Cut back to the shot of Darren Cook.]
Darren Cook: The federal government offers a great opportunity, career-wise. I started at the very bottom and ended up as a Director. To me, the whole journey was great.
[Fade to black.]
[Fade up from black.]
Text on screen: For more information contact AAFC's Elder, Mervin Traverse at mervin.traverse@canada.ca
[The Canada wordmark appears on the screen with an animated Canadian flag over the last letter of the word.]
Text on screen: Canada
[Black text appears under the Canada wordmark.]
Text on screen: © Her Majesty the Queen in the Right of Canada, represented by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (2016).
[Light electronic music fades out.]
[Fade to white.]
For more information on AAFC's Indigenous Student Recruitment Initiative, contact us at aafc.isri-irea.aac@agr.gc.ca.
Opportunities for graduates
If you are graduating shortly or if you recently graduated, check out
- Public service graduate recruitment programs
- GCCollab — A collaboration and networking space open to all Canadian public servants (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal), academics and students, as well as all Canadians by invitation
- Postdoctoral Research Program
Governor in Council and ministerial appointments
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is responsible for recommending Governor in Council appointments to five different entities as well as ministerial appointments of board and committee members for two entities.
To learn more about careers at AAFC, contact a recruitment specialist at aafc.jobs-emplois.aac@agr.gc.ca.