Tree Fruit Specialist (pome fruit)

Environment, Conservation and Parks | Environnement, Protection de la nature et Parcs; Guelph; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment, Conservation and Parks | Environnement, Protection de la nature et Parcs in Ontario is seeking a Tree Fruit Specialist (pome fruit) in Guelph to drive technology transfer and assess new and existing practices for Ontario's pome fruit sector.

The role requires leading provincial initiatives, building partnerships with industry, and providing expert guidance to senior management on pome fruit production while representing ministry interests in multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• You must hold a valid Ontario class G driver’s licence for travel in rural areas.
• Extensive knowledge of apple and pear production practices.
• Strong written and oral communication skills for presenting information.
• Ability to lead technology transfer activities and collaborate with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Act as the lead provincial specialist related to pome fruit production.
• Lead Ontario's technology transfer activities through development, coordination and implementation of strategies, policies, programs, educational and awareness-building training and tools to facilitate change.
• Build partnerships and consult with stakeholder organizations and agencies to identify concerns, issues, trends and new developments which may relate to and impact on provincial programs, policies and information services.
• Coordinate and contribute to applied research and projects designed to assess the applicability of new and existing practices, products, technologies and programs to Ontario's pome fruit sector.
• Provide expertise to senior management related to the pome fruit sector across Ontario.
• Act as a liaison between the research community and industry.
• Represent provincial and ministry interests on multidisciplinary working groups to develop provincial, national or international initiatives related to pome fruit production.

Skills

Pome fruit production

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic program development

Technical communication

Project coordination

Computer skills

Job description

Apply By: Friday, October 9, 2026 11:59 pm EDT

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

Division:

Agriculture Development Branch

City:

Guelph, Simcoe

Position(s) language:

Job term:

1 Temporary up to 13 months

Job code:

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

Do you want to play a key role in supporting the competitiveness of Ontario's horticulture sector? If so, this is your opportunity to join the dynamic Horticulture Crops team and help Ontario's technology transfer efforts in the assessment of new, emerging and existing practices, products, technology and research with a focus on the pome fruit sector.

The Tree Fruit Specialist (pome fruit) requires extensive knowledge of apple and pear production practices along with excellent oral and written communication skills to discuss and present information effectively. If you have the interest and abilities to fill this important role, please consider this position with the Horticulture Crops Unit.

the Ministry The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agri-business 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 Agriculture Development Branch promotes high quality agricultural production through the application of best management practices, on-farm surveillance and monitoring and contributing to applied research projects to ensure a competitive and resilient agri-food sector.

About the job

In this role, you will:

• Act as the lead provincial specialist related to pome fruit production
• Lead Ontario's technology transfer activities through the development, coordination and implementation of strategies, policies programs, educational and awareness-building training and tools to facilitate change
• Build partnerships and consult with stakeholder organizations and agencies to identify concerns, issues, trends and new developments which may relate to and impact on provincial programs, policies and information services
• Coordinate and contribute to applied research and projects designed to assess the applicability of new and existing practices, products, technologies and programs to Ontario's pome fruit sector
• Provide expertise to senior management related to the pome fruit sector across Ontario
• Act as a liaison between the research community and industry
• Working in cooperation with other ministry staff, understand and manage contentious and high priority issues
• Represent provincial and ministry interests on multidisciplinary working groups to develop provincial, national or international initiatives related to pome fruit production

What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

• You have a valid Ontario class "G" driver's licence to travel in rural areas not serviced by public transportation

Technical expertise

You have:

• Knowledge and understanding of scientific theories, principles and practices of production, economics, business management and marketing related to the pome fruit sector
• Knowledge of the agricultural industry, and the roles and mandates of farm and commodity organizations in the rural community
• Knowledge of acts and regulations that impact pome fruit production sector organizations, producers and agri-businesses
• Knowledge of current issues, research accomplishments, environmental impacts, production practices, marketing trends and theories as well as programs and services provided worldwide

In order to:

• Identify the suitability, relevance and impact of new techniques, programs and policies on the pome fruit sector
• Develop expert leading-edge information and educational materials related to pome fruit production
• In partnership with other staff and ministries, provide guidance on compliance of industry practices and techniques with legislation and regulations
• Ensure our client base has access to state-of-the-art information
• Provide expertise to senior management related to the pome fruit sector across Ontario

Interpersonal and communication skills

You can:

• Establish and enhance partnerships, coalitions and networks with producers and industry stakeholders at provincial, national and international levels, to facilitate program delivery, sharing of information, education and training
• Build consensus, encourage and motivate clients to facilitate change
• Present and discuss information, outline options and recommendations on how technologies, policies and programs can be applied; facilitate understanding and promote acceptance; and deliver training effectively
• Communicate concisely, professionally and effectively in writing through the compilation and preparation of technical reports, briefing notes, articles, publications and electronic media

Project management and coordination skills

You can:

• Manage concurrent projects and activities to address agriculture and rural issues related to pome fruit production
• Plan and coordinate activities in consultation with clients and stakeholders
• Identify time and resource requirements, forecast and monitor project budgets, plan and coordinate own and other staff time in order to effectively and efficiently meet objectives

Research, analytical and problem-solving skills

You can:

• Use research methods and practices to investigate viability and applicability of new methods, techniques and technologies
• Analyze validity of research findings, prepare reports and provide recommendations on suitability and applicability for Ontario conditions
• Assess training needs of agriculture and rural clients to provide and deliver information, services and alternative innovative strategies and solutions
• Investigate issues, new trends and developments related to production, management and marketing of pome fruits, community economic development, and environmental sustainability

Training experience

You have:

• Knowledge of adult education methods and techniques, consultation and group facilitation techniques as well as needs assessment techniques and program evaluation methods
• Demonstrated experience using adult education principles to develop and deliver educational and training materials for clients and colleagues

Computer skills

• You have proficiency of computer applications for statistical analysis, data base management and electronic communications (including email, internet, social media, presentation tools, digital media e.g. video/audio creation/editing tools)

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

Language requirements and assessment: All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.