Job Description

Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation is Nova Scotia's development agency focusing on the food sector. Our mission is to support success, transformation, and economic development in Nova Scotia's agriculture, seafood, food and beverage sectors. Perennia's highly skilled and collaborative team focuses on superior customer service, proactive solutions, and innovative approaches to meet client needs.

So, what are you waiting for? Come Grow with us.

Job Summary

If you are passionate about horticulture and eager to drive innovation in vegetable crop production, we invite you to apply for this rewarding opportunity. We are seeking a talented, innovative senior professional with deep expertise in horticulture and a strong understanding of vegetable crops. As the Vegetable Specialist, you will report directly to the Manager of Horticulture and play a pivotal role in developing and implementing a comprehensive province-wide outreach and extension program.

Nova Scotia's vegetable industry is an important contributor to the province's food supply with a diverse range of crops grown across the province. As part of Perennia's seven-person horticulture team, you will be at the front lines of exciting and impactful work that shapes the future of the horticulture industry provincially, regionally, and nationally. The Vegetable Specialist plays a key role in helping growers strengthen production practices, respond to challenges, and continue supplying high-quality vegetables to Nova Scotians.

This can be a hybrid home-office-field position with the understanding that candidates are required to be present regularly in Kentville and responsible for working with team members and client's province-wide.

The successful candidate will be our team's subject matter expert on vegetables, providing development and proactive leadership of a comprehensive extension program and services to clients. This position requires a self-starter with a strong work ethic, positive attitude, comfortable in using technology and virtual information sharing tools, and a high personal standard of excellence. Specific duties include technology transfer; facilitation of farmer education; field research; development of educational materials using various technologies; remaining current on industry trends and research-based knowledge; participation on various committees and boards; and other initiatives as required to support industry development including proactively developing applied research projects for outside funding.

Responsibilities

Develop robust agriculture extension program to meet the needs of vegetable producers in Nova Scotia Provide information, education, and advisory services to vegetable farmers Identify new research or opportunities in vegetable production that, if advanced, would ensure the continued development of a viable and sustainable vegetable industry Share relevant information and advice to increase the knowledge and skills sets of Nova Scotia farmers through presentations, field days and workshops, webinars, online learning, instructional videos, podcasts, blogs, fact sheets and publications and social media Work collaboratively with other Perennia specialists Communicate information within the team in an open and timely manner and be the lead in sharing vegetable updates, research, etc. Identify development and demonstration projects with short- and long-term impacts for Nova Scotia vegetable farms, including developing proposals and budgets with the manager, and leading projects Appreciation for our role as a partner with relevant provincial departments and a collaborative approach to working with government, industry and academia

Requirements

and Competencies

M.Sc. in Horticulture, plant science, or related discipline Minimum of five years' experience working in the horticulture industry with direct experience in vegetable extension preferred Experience in pest management e.g. entomology, plant pathology, and/or weed management Solid foundation in plant physiology, soil science and nutrient management principals Experience in technology-based knowledge transfer to the agriculture industry would be an asset with demonstrated experience or aptitude in blogs, videos, podcasts and/or webinars Good observational and diagnostics skills Demonstrated experience in managing projects and conducting applied research trials in field environments A collaborative approach to work with an open attitude that contributes to a positive and supportive work environment An ability to be adaptable and balance multiple project requirements while demonstrating a high level of technical excellence Committed to discretion, professionalism and confidentiality Attention to detail, superb organizational skills Open to new experiences and developing new skills Positive attitude to effectively represent Perennia and its values Has a 'can-do' attitude when working with colleagues and clients A member or eligible for P.Ag. status with the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrology

If you have different skills, education, and experience that you feel would enable you to be an amazing Vegetable Specialist, please feel free to make your case in your cover letter!

Perennia offers a competitive compensation package which includes base salary, extended health care benefits, RRSP contribution match, and professional development opportunities

To apply for this exciting position at Perennia, please email a combined PDF or Word cover letter and resume noting compensation expectations, experience in seafood, agriculture, or food processing, and a potential start date,

by noon on December 10, 2025,

to:

careers@perennia.ca

Only those candidates who move on to the interview phase will be contacted.

Perennia is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

Casual dress Company events Dental care Disability insurance Extended health care Flexible schedule Life insurance Mileage reimbursement On-site parking Paid time off RRSP match Vision care Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Kentville, NS B4N 2N1