Policy and Certification Officer (Bilingual)

Job Description

Job Description

Across Canada, thousands of farms work each day to grow, process, and deliver the quality crops that become the food you enjoy each day. At the heart of this operation, exists an essential ingredient : seed.  For farmers and food processors alike, using reliable, high-quality seed is of critical importance.  For seed buyers, having a third-party certification process to verify the varietal genetic purity of that seed is important. Since 1904, the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CGSA) ()  has ensured the supply of high-quality seed in Canada. CSGA is the only national organization in Canada to monitor and certify pedigreed seed crops in Canada for all crops kinds, except potatoes.  A large part of our mission is to deliver a flexible, responsive, and cost-effective seed certification system for our stakeholders. We’ve achieved this mission by developing and maintaining innovative technological platforms, used by our members, partners, and internal team members to manage and oversee the seed certification process.   Now, we’re looking for a new Policy and Certification Officer (Bilingual) and we hope that search ends with you. Policy and Certification Officer :   In this role, you’ll ensure that seed crops are being produced according to CSGA’s standards and regulations. You’ll engage with our clients, members, and staff as you appraise documentation, train / support inspectors, maintain our variety database, recommend policies and standards, and provide support to our members and clients as they navigate CSGA’s regulatory and technological landscapes. Practically speaking, you will :

• Appraise and process documentation (e.g., seed crop certification applications, other certification requirement forms, land use verification requests, probation plot applications, etc.) to ensure compliance with CSGA standards for seed crop certification
• Participate in the development and delivery of annual training and provide ongoing support for licensed seed crop inspectors and CFIA staff, and make recommendations to address systemic or emerging issues
• Process variety certification eligibility applications for crops exempted from variety registration in accordance with the Seeds Act and Variety Registration Notifications issued by CFIA
• Update information in the variety module on all varieties and communicate and collaborate with the Variety Registration Office (VRO) of the CFIA on issues relating to variety registration and certification
• Identify, evaluate, and analyze ongoing issues affecting seed crop production
• Contribute to and prepare inputs to inform recommendations for senior staff and for committee consideration
• Respond to member and stakeholder inquiries and provide regulatory and practical advice, troubleshoot and diagnose issues relating to crop certification in an effective and professional manner To succeed in this role, you’ll need to have excellent communication skills as you engage with a variety of stakeholders professionally, through email and phone correspondence. You’ll also need strong skills with analyzing policy and regulations and applying it to our work in the sector and using data to inform decisions. You’ll need to be extremely organized so you can triage and prioritize as needed and manage multiple activities to meet tight deadlines. We’ll also look to you to initiate ideas, deliver presentations, and make improvements wherever possible. If you’re in search of a challenging new opportunity to advance your career, we want to hear from you.  Working with the CSGA : Our close-knit team is defined by collaboration, flexibility, and transparency. We promote an open-door policy, in which colleagues can ask for guidance, lean on one another, and trust each other completely. We strive to involve our team in the big decisions and are committed to ensuring that employees at all levels are given exposure to our decision-making processes.  This is a full-time permanent role, with the potential for flexible hours. While our office is located in Ottawa (and it would be an asset if you were also located here), we’re also open to candidates outside of Ottawa who can work remotely (even after the pandemic). We offer a competitive annual salary range, medical and dental benefits, and pension plan with matching contributions.   Qualifications :
• Bilingual, fully fluent in both English and French
• Experience working in a related position, involving understanding and applying policy and regulation
• Experience delivering presentations or with public speaking, with a demonstrated ability to convey complex ideas clearly
• Bachelor of science in Agriculture, crop science, or a related field + 3years’ experience in a relevant position
• Knowledge of plant biology, genetics, and agronomy
• Experience in the agriculture industry and / or knowledge of crop production, farm management, or agribusiness practices (an asset, but not required)
• Professional agrologist accreditation and member of a professional association How to Apply :    Our online application will give you the option to apply to this role as a complete person – not just a resume. The application will assess your qualifications, personality traits and workplace preferences, and should take 10 to 15 minutes to complete. After submitting, you'll receive an email inviting you to log in and view your assessment results. We strive to build a team that reflects the diversity of the community we work in and encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people identifying as LGBTQ2SI, veterans, and people with disabilities. We will review applications, with priority given to those who have completed the assessment and look forward to hearing from you.