Job Description

Department: Agriculture Location: BIBLE HILL Type of Employment: Term Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG Closing Date: 5/4/2023 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture (NSDA) manages the Animal & Plant Laboratory that provides analysis for water, soil and soil amendments, plant tissues, dairy samples, and livestock feeds. Services are aimed primarily at agricultural producers and industry, but are also available to private companies, other government agencies, researchers and the public. The NSDA Animal & Plant Laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025:2017 standards and serves aspects of animal health, public health, food safety, and assists in the support of the agricultural economy. https://novascotia.ca/agri/

About Our Opportunity

Under the supervision of the Technical Laboratory Operations Supervisor, you will be responsible for the analysis of agriculture-related and other samples in a multi-workstation laboratory environment. Samples include soils, soil amendments, water, feed, plant tissue, greenhouse soils, and nutrient solutions.

Primary Accountabilities

Agricultural Laboratory Technicians ensure quality assurance through compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and observe their safety and the safety of others in the workplace. Duties include preparation and analysis of samples using established methods and ensuring the integrity of samples. Technicians must have the ability to prioritize work and sample processing to maximize efficiency. In addition to analysis, Technicians will prepare standards, reagents, and solutions, and perform preliminary reviews of results and entry to the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Other duties, as required, may include receiving and storage of inventory, sample preparation, maintenance and monitoring of equipment, and inventory control. Additionally, front office functions such as data entry and validation, sample receiving, and customer service will be performed when required.
The Agricultural Laboratory Technician works in a team environment with the other Technicians and the Laboratory Assistant to ensure high laboratory standards are achieved each day.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful within this position you will have successfully completed a laboratory technology diploma from a recognized educational institute and have at least four (4) years of experience. An acceptable equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.
As the successful candidate, you must be familiar with Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Workplace Hazardous Material Information Systems (WHMIS) and Occupational Health and Safety regulations. You will have a working knowledge of basic computer applications. This position requires the ability to work both independently and unsupervised as well as in a team environment. As part of the Analytical Lab team, you will also be required to prioritize and organize your daily workload to respond to laboratory needs and incoming sample numbers. Strong communication skills and excellent attention to detail are essential in this position.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and Union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

You must be able to work in a laboratory environment that requires standing for long periods of time, lifting (<15kg) and repetitive work. You must also be able to work in a working environment that may have sharp tools and equipment, dust, noise, moisture, chemicals, odor and vibrations.

Additional Information

This is a Term employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of January 1, 2024

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• countless career paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: TE 20 Salary Range: $2,010.77 - $2,358.22 Bi-Weekly
Employment Equity Statement: Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.
This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:
Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.
External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.
Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.