Job Description

Competition # : 42374Department: AgricultureLocation: BIBLE HILLType of Employment: PermanentUnion Status: NSGEU - NSPGClosing Date: \xe2\x80\x8b18-Apr-24 \xe2\x80\x8b (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)About UsNova Scotia Laboratory Services provides support for agriculture and agribusiness in Nova Scotia. The Animal Health Lab provides diagnostic testing to support, farmers, veterinarians, clinics, animal welfare, and food producers. The Animal and Plant Lab provides testing of soils, water, plant tissue, compost, and feeds for agriculture producers, researchers, and the general public. The Provincial Laboratories maintain ISO 17025:2017 accreditation for various tests.About Our OpportunityThis is an exciting opportunity for those interested in working with both the Departments of Agriculture as well as Fisheries and Aquaculture, those who possess experience in a regulatory environment conducting research and analysis, drafting regulations, and distilling complex information for diverse audiences, as well as those who excel at analyzing and reviewing complex issues and developing and presenting recommendations.Primary AccountabilitiesThis position supports Laboratory Services with three main areas of focus; quality assurance, business process improvement, and employee training. This position works collaboratively with Laboratory Services Management team to support quality assurance, process improvement, and training at the Department of Agriculture\xe2\x80\x99s Animal Health Lab and Animal and Plant Lab.The Quality Assurance position promotes quality assurance at the Animal and Plant Lab and the Animal Health Lab. This position has an active leadership role regarding the development, implementation, and maintenance of quality management systems used at both labs, including accredited and non-accredited laboratory processes. This position supports the labs to meet standards as defined by relevant regulatory bodies, accreditation providers, and internal quality assurance systems.This position works collaboratively with the Laboratory Services Management Team to identify opportunities and support business process improvement initiatives by leading, participating and/or supporting improvement projects. By using Lean Six Sigma or similar methodologies, this position takes a collaborative approach to business improvement.Training. This position works with Laboratory Services Management Team to coordinate training delivery initiatives, deliver specific training activities, work with lab team to maintain and update training program.Qualifications and ExperienceYou have a Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s Degree in Science or Technology Diploma (Chemistry, Medical Laboratory Technologist, Biology, Food Science or other related science) plus five (5) years\xe2\x80\x99 experience in a laboratory environment and training; or a Master\xe2\x80\x99s degree in plus three (3) years\xe2\x80\x99 relevant experience.You will have extensive experience with quality management systems such as ISO 17025:2017 Standard accreditation/certification or comparable equivalent including extensive experience with auditing processes to confirm compliance with international standards and regulations. Training and experience with business process improvement methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma and strong organizational and project management skills. You will have strong team building and interpersonal skills and experience with performance measurement and quality improvement.You also have experience in and knowledge of policy, trade and statistics, and legislative development in a government environment. The incumbent will have a proven ability to deal with complex processes, ideally through application of formal project management tools. Required interpersonal skills include a strong client service orientation and the ability to work collaboratively and remotely in a dynamic environment.As the successful candidate, you must be able to communicate complex topics effectively in both written and oral forms; experience with public consultations would be considered an asset. You are fully proficient in a Microsoft Office environment, including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation tools. Experience with: analytical thinking; client orientation; adaptability & flexibility; effective interactive communication and outcome focus would be considered an asset.We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s) and reference checks.EquivalencyApplicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.BenefitsBased on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a , Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: .Working ConditionsThis position works in office and laboratory spaces. When working in an office or laboratory space, may be required to sit or stand for extended periods of time. When working in laboratory spaces, may be exposed to a working environment that may have sharp tools and equipment, dust, noise, moisture, chemicals, odor, and vibrations.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: PR 13Salary Range: $2,543.38 - $3,091.70 Bi-WeeklyEmployment 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.

Government of Nova Scotia