Laboratory Technician, Harvest Sample Program

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

Applications will be drawn from the inventory, for Harvest Sample Program Laboratory Technician positions, annually on March 1st for further assessment.

Please ensure that your information is updated and remains current in your PSRS Applicant Account. Your application in this inventory will be active for 365 days. A notice that your application is about to expire will be posted to the My jobs menu of your account 14 days before the end of your active period. If you do not take action, your application will no longer be active and therefore no longer considered for this inventory. Should your application become inactive while the process is still open, a notice will be posted to your account indicating that your application has expired; you may select the link Update my Inventory Status to reaffirm your interest.

Work environment

The Harvest Sample Program is an annual analysis of producer commodities grown throughout Canada. The work will be focused on specific quality parameters important to producers, the grain industry and marketers of grains, oilseeds and pulses.

Visit the website below for more information on the Harvest Sample Program:
http://www.grainscanada.gc.ca/quality-qualite/hsp-per/hspm-mper-eng.htm

Some of your duties may include:
-Prepare materials and samples and carry out analytical testing using appropriate procedures and approved methods.
-Collect record and compile data and report findings in a summary form.
-Accurately enter data into spreadsheets.
-Conduct routine maintenance and calibration of equipment, and maintain technical logs, files, inventories and other records.
-Working in high throughput environment.

Intent of the process

This inventory will be used annually to staff approximately 18, 4 to 6 month term positions in Winnipeg, MB.

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar indeterminate, specified period employment, acting appointments, assignments, secondments or deployments.

Positions to be filled: 18

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION
• A high school diploma.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
• Recent* experience in the operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
*Recent is defined as experience obtained within the last five years

KNOWLEDGE
• Knowledge of laboratory safety procedures.

COMPETENCIES
• Adaptability
• Being a Team Player
• Initiative

ABILITIES
• Ability to calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

COMPETENCIES
• Effective Interactive Communication

ABILITIES
• Ability to perform standard laboratory procedures.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

EDUCATION
• Graduation with a degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution (university, college or technical institute) with specialization in chemistry OR biochemistry OR food science OR a field related to the position OR an acceptable combination of education/training and experience*.

Experience* is defined as the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with having worked with grain in a laboratory setting for at least 2 years, in the past 5 years.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
• Experience in carrying out laboratory tasks under minimal supervision.
• Experience in evaluating the quality of cereal grains, oilseeds and pulses.
• Experience applying statistical methods for evaluating analytical results.
• Experience using laboratory grinders
• Experience utilizing methods to extract and quantitate mycotoxins in complex matricies.
• Experience performing Falling Number analysis.
• Experience using micropipettes.
• Experience using sample dividers.
• Experience in techniques to physically clean samples.
• Experience using near infrared instrumentation.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
• Work with and be exposed to hazardous chemicals and equipment.
• Wear appropriate protective clothing and/or equipment.
• Maintain standing and/or sitting positions for extended periods of time.
• Work in an environment where there is continual exposure to grain and flour dust (known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication, and must not impinge upon the work to be performed).
• Move and/or lift Items (up to 20 kg.).
• Adhere to laboratory safety standards and procedures.
• Work overtime as required.
• Shift work may be required.
• All employees of the core public administration are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status unless accommodated based on a medical contraindication, religion, or another prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

On October 6, 2021, the Government of Canada announced details of its plans to require vaccination across the federal public service.

As per the new Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration Including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, federal public servants in the Core Public Administration and members of the RCMP must attest to their vaccination status. The requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated applies whether they are teleworking, working remotely or working on-site. This is a condition of employment and it applies to indeterminate (permanent), determinate (term), casual, and student hiring. Should you reach the point in the selection process where it is necessary to verify terms and conditions of employment then the hiring manager or a human resources representative will contact you in order to complete an attestation.

Candidates will be asked, as per the application process, to answer screening questions for essential qualifications and other criteria (education and experience). Candidates will have to provide specific examples, for each screening question demonstrating how they have acquired the education and experience criteria.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email such as SPAM).

Receipt of applications will not be sent; only candidates successful in the screening process will be contacted. Depending on the requirements of the position being staffed from this process, for current or future vacancies, any or all of the qualifications, operational requirements, and organizational needs may be applied at the time of screening.

Random selection and/or top-down selection may be used at any time during the process to identify which applicants will be further assessed.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Apply online