Laboratory Support Technician

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.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is a separate employer and is not subject to the Public Service Employment Act.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is committed to selection based on qualifications by ensuring full participation of the four groups designated in the Employment Equity Act (EEA): women, Aboriginal Peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups.

When you apply to this process, please complete all self-declaration questions in the Employment Equity form. Your response to the self-declaration questions is voluntary, however the information you provide may be used in considering your application for an appointment.

The sooner you submit your application into the inventory, the sooner you may be referred for opportunities.

We are asking applicants who are interested in this opportunity to apply by July 25 2022 - 23:59, Pacific Time to be considered in the first round of evaluations.

Depending on the requirements of the position or positions being filled, any or all of the asset qualifications, operational requirements, and organizational needs may be considered at any time during this process. These criteria may be a deciding factor in choosing the persons to be appointed. Therefore, it is IMPORTANT that you answer each of the questions related to these requirements.

The CFIA considers applications from individuals who have legal status to work in Canada and does not give preference to Canadian citizens.

We will only accept applications received through the GC Jobs website, therefore you must submit your application by clicking on “Apply online” in this advertisement. Persons who are unable to apply online must use the “Contact information” below, prior to the closing date, to request specialized accommodation.

Duties

Receives and ships, logs, inspects, prepares and organizes the samples/specimens for testing and/or harvesting and/or storage and/or distribution and/or disposal and/or analysis.

Performs established analytical procedures.

Participates in planning, organizing and conducting the media/reagent preparation activities to maintain sufficient stock to meet the needs of the work unit.

Follows the Quality Assurance (QA) system of the work unit, performs routine quality control procedures and keeps records of samples, measurements, observations and processes.

Washes/ sterilizes glassware and instruments and performs general housekeeping duties throughout the laboratory work unit.

Assists in maintaining large reference collections/standards used in the preparation of controls for diagnostic tests, proficiency panels, and other simple analytical activities.

Work in environmentally challenging or physically demanding conditions in a laboratory environment with pathogens, toxins and allergens. Extensive periods of standing, lifting heavy samples, shucking of bivalve shellfish; exposure to allergens such as shellfish, crustaceans, nuts, eggs, milk, etc.

Work environment

We offer a bilingual, science-based environment, with excellent benefits, flexible hours, opportunities for advancement, an emphasis on learning and development, and a high level of employee satisfaction. Join a workforce that’s as diverse as the people it serves. You can find some more great reasons to join us on our website: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/cfia-jobs/top-10-reasons-to-join-us/eng/1299859095075/1299859142835

Intent of the process

The intent is to establish an inventory of candidates to draw from when vacancies arise for current and future needs at the CFIA Laboratory located in Burnaby, BC. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis as long as the poster is active. Applications may be pulled from the Inventory for further assessment at any time.

This inventory may be used to staff positions with similar qualifications, various conditions of employment and/or various tenures including term appointments, indeterminate appointments, acting appointments and/or assignments.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

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.

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION

EEd1: A Secondary School diploma.

Applicants submitting education credentials from a non-Canadian institution are responsible for obtaining certification that these credentials are the equivalent of the Canadian education level required for the position.

Please refer to the link below for more information.

Degree equivalency

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

EE1: Work independently and as part of a team.

EE2: Follow and complete prescribed work procedures and safe work practices.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

OTHER ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Essential qualifications, such as experience, competencies, abilities and knowledge will vary depending on the position being staffed. Essential qualifications will be assessed by the manager prior to an appointment being made.

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

ASSET EDUCATION

AEd1: Post-secondary diploma or degree in natural or applied science from a recognized institution.

Degree equivalency

ASSET EXPERIENCE

AEx1: Experience working in a laboratory environment.

AEx2: Experience working within a quality management system (ISO, etc).

AEx3: Experience using spreadsheets and database computer software programs such as Microsoft Office suite.

AEx4: Experience evaluating and interpreting analytical data.

AEx5: Experience in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting analytical laboratory equipment for chemical analyses, such as high performance liquid chromatography.

AEx6: Experience in writing documents such as standard operating procedures, project reports, or presenting data or experimental findings.

*Experience may have been gained/obtained through volunteer, school, or from programs such as work experience, coop, intern, etc.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Applicants who have not lived in Canada for the past five (or ten, depending on security level) years may be required to submit a police certificate from each country in which they have lived for six months or more during this period, as well as other documentation required for the security screening process. Failure to submit this documentation if requested will eliminate the application from further consideration.

The following conditions of employment are required for an appointment:
• Adherence to the CFIA Code of Conduct.
• Adherence to the CFIA Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Policy.
• Compliance with the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector.
• Legal status to accept employment for the entire period of employment.

Any of the following conditions of employment may be required for an appointment:
• Medical suitability: Pass a Pre-placement Health Evaluation and Periodic Health Evaluation.
• Willing and available to travel, as required
• Willing and available to work shifts
• Willing and available to work irregular hours (e.g., days, nights, weekends, statutory holidays)
• Willing and available to work overtime, as required
• To use in the prescribed circumstances and manner all prescribed safety materials, equipment, devices and clothing
• Willing and able to be immunized as indicated by job risk, location, overseas travel and other identified risks
• To use prescribed and provided respiratory equipment that meets the respiratory program requirements; to undergo fit testing (e.g. may need to be clean-shaven, depending on the respirator design)
• Willing and able to work in environmentally challenging or physically demanding conditions and with pathogens in high security laboratory biocontainment or with potential allergens

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

Personal information is obtained for the purpose of determining an individual’s competence and suitability for employment. If a staffing complaint questions this determination, please be advised that relevant personal information you will provide in the course of this staffing process may be disclosed to substantiate the staffing decision.

Please ensure that you read ALL points listed below, as this section contains important information about the application process. Failure to read these notes and follow these instructions could result in your application missing required information which may result in your application being eliminated from this staffing process.

You are entitled to participate in the staffing process in the official language of your choice.

For this staffing process, the CFIA will communicate with you by email. You must provide a valid email address to which you wish to receive communication regarding this staffing process. You must ensure that you check your email account including spam, promotion or other folders regularly as there may be a deadline for responses. If you respond past the deadline you risk being removed from the staffing process.

Depending on the number of applicants, CFIA's needs and CFIA HR plans, volume management strategies such as, but not limited to, top-down approach, cut-off scores, random selection and/or assessment may be used for the purpose of managing applications/candidates. Should a volume management strategy be used, communication regarding the application of the strategy will be provided to those candidates who are impacted.

During the application or assessment process both cheating and plagiarism are considered forms of misconduct and are not permitted. Any person found cheating, including those who help others to cheat, may be subject to removal from the staffing process.

A current copy of your resume may be used as another source to confirm the education and experience you will be asked to describe in the screening questions. It may also be reviewed by prospective hiring managers at the appointment stage.

For more information on how to apply to a CFIA staffing process, please visit: https://inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/job-opportunities/how-to-apply/eng/1340676915348/1340679107182

You will be asked to provide proof of your education credentials later in the staffing process.

Various assessment tools may be used in this staffing process such as: standardized tests, reference checks, written tests, an interview, etc.

All written and verbal communication obtained throughout the staffing process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the candidate.

Acknowledgement of receipt of applications will not be sent; only those referred for consideration for an appointment will be contacted.

Your resume will be used as a primary source of information if/when referred for an opportunity. It is your responsibility to include relevant and sufficient details regarding your education, work history/experience, your skills and area of expertise.

Your application will be active in this inventory process for 180 days. 180 days after you have submitted your application, you must re-submit an application if you wish to remain active in the inventory. Expired applications will not be referred to managers for consideration.

You will receive an expiry warning in your applicant profile 150 days following your last submitted application. Meaning that once the warning is received, you will have 30 days remaining to refresh your application. If you do not renew your application, the notice will change to inform you that your application has expired and you will no longer be considered in any new searches. However, you can re-submit an application at any time while the process is still open.

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

Contact information