Research and Lab Safety Technician (multifunction stream)

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to October 10, 2023 - 23:59, Pacific Time.

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

We want you to succeed! Our objective is to identify qualified candidates by fairly assessing their abilities. Assessment accommodations are intended to remove obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so that all candidates can showcase their capabilities.

Please help us meet our commitment of providing an inclusive and barrier-free environment by letting us know if you require assessment accommodations, including assistance with the application process. Additional information on the assessment format(s) (for example: exam, interview) will be provided at each assessment stage.

As one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is proud to celebrate our achievement in creating a diverse, respectful, and positive workplace where all employees are valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices and perspectives. We are dedicated to building and promoting a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, representative of all Canadians regardless of race, ethnicity, colour, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socio-economic background or lived experience. By embracing diversity and inclusion, our department ensures broader discussions, better decisions, and a more positive workplace.

Duties

As part of an experienced team and under the supervision of Associate Director, RDT, the successful candidate will carry out experiments and activities associated with microbiology applications to enhance food safety and food chemistry applications to enhance healthy food attributes.
These duties may include:

• Preparing and maintaining records of experimental protocols, safe work and standard operating procedures and data files
• Collecting and analyzing research data along with comprehensive statistical analysis
• Coordinate and administer training for staff related to workplace safety and lab safety practices
• Manage hazardous waste materials and chemical supply inventories across the Research Centre
• Conduct, record and execute workplace investigations for safety and routine office inspections
• Act as employee co-chair on local Workplace Occupation Health and Safety Committee including the scheduling, administration and recording of documentation required for monthly meetings

Work environment

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We have several networks dedicated to ensuring that the department continues to grow as an inclusive, accessible, respectful and diverse workplace. All employees are encouraged and welcomed to join the networks and participate in their activities and events.

• The Gender and Sexual Diversity Inclusiveness Network
• The Indigenous Network Circle
• The Managers' Community
• The Persons with Disabilities Network
• The Student Panel of Representatives for Orientation, Unity and Training
• The Visible Minorities Network
• The Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network
• The Young Professional's Network

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified and partially qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures as well as various linguistic requirements.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, and there is a temporary need, he/she may be considered for acting, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION:
Degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in microbiology or molecular biology or another related field or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. Click on the link below to contact the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC).

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
-Experience in designing experiments and executing research projects in a Containment Level II laboratory.
-Experience in collecting and performing analyses on samples.
-Experience in data interpretation and presentation, and participation in the drafting of scientific reports.
-Experience in planning, organizing and conducting in vitro cell culture experiments on samples relevant to food safety and food attributes.
-Experience in managing hazardous materials and their disposal.
-Experience in safety training, in emergency responses and spill responses.
-Experience in workplace inspections and investigations.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

ASSET-EXPERIENCE:
-Publication in peer-reviewed journals or prepared poster presentations.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:
-Knowledge of laboratory safety procedures and directives and legislative compliance.
-Knowledge of microbiological and molecular biology techniques.

COMPETENCIES:
-Planning and Organizing
-Initiative
-Teamwork
-Problem solving
-Interactive communication

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

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada recognizes that the diversity of its employee population contributes to its strength and integrity. We are committed to achieving employment equity and developing a highly capable workforce that is representative of Canadian Society. We encourage women (especially in non-traditional occupations), Indigenous peoples (Aboriginal peoples), persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups to apply and declare themselves as part of one or more of the Employment Equity groups as selection may be limited to candidates belonging to one or more of the groups.

Information on employment equity

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENT:
-Ability and willingness to work on multi-projects to support the centre profile and strategic directions.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Other Conditions of Employment:
Possession of a valid, Class G Ontario driver's license or other provincial/territorial equivalent.
Ability and willingness to work overtime as required.
Ability and willingness to travel on occasion.
With appropriate safety precautions in place, ability and willingness to work in laboratory for extended periods at a time.
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous substance (biological or chemical) and hazardous materials Ability and willingness to do repetitive tasks.
Ability and willingness to work in a Containment Level 2 Laboratory.
In case of allergies, know how to control them using personal protective equipment or medication so they do not interfere with the work to be carried out.

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

ASSESSEMENT INFORMATION

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

Various assessment tools may be used, such as, standardized tests, interviews, references, board member knowledge, etc.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

A random or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
- Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience.
- Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications.

A test may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Asset qualifications may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

APPLICATION & CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs.html.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact the email referenced below under "Contact Information".

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. 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).

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.