Summary
Description
The Team:
The Plant Health Laboratory, part of the Plant Health Unit at the Abbotsford Agriculture Center, is a close-knit, highly skilled team dedicated to safeguarding plant health across British Columbia. With five to six core team members (and a few extra hands during the busy summer months), our lab has provided trusted diagnostic services for over 50 years, helping identify and manage plant diseases and insect issues. Working alongside other passionate specialists within the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the team values collaboration, accuracy, and a shared commitment to protecting BC’s plants and ecosystems.
The Role:
As a Molecular Diagnostics staff with the Plant Health Laboratory, you play an essential role in identifying plant pests through precise molecular testing, following established standard operating procedures to ensure precise and timely diagnoses. Working on-site at the Abbotsford Agriculture Center with other diagnosticians in the Unit, you help uphold the lab’s quality standards while setting diagnostic priorities to keep things running smoothly. Your work directly supports BC’s agriculture industry in strengthening and supporting food security, small businesses, and rural communities. You will join a friendly, dedicated team that takes pride in contributing to the plant health and resilience of BC’s plants. Learn more about our work and our impact at the following links: Plant Health Laboratory and Plant Health Strategy.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor of Science Degree in molecular biology or a related field, and a minimum of four (4) years of work experience in molecular aspects of microbiology (mycology, bacteriology or virology) from a university, government or industry laboratory set up; OR,
- Master of Science Degree (or higher) in molecular biology or a related field, and a minimum of two (2) years of work experience in molecular aspects of microbiology (mycology, bacteriology or virology) from a university, government or industry laboratory set up.
- Preference may be given to candidates with one (1) or more of the following:
- training in molecular biology of fungi, bacteria, viruses, or plant-pathogen interactions; and/or,
- experience in the fields of plant pathology, nematology or entomology; and/or,
- experience in the development of laboratory QA/QC methods, strategies, and sampling protocols that align with ISO 17025 standards; and/or,
- experience in plant disease diagnostics.
Provisos:
- Meet safety standards of WorkSafe BC including WHMIS.
- This position is based in Abbotsford and requires presence at the worksite five (5) days per week.
For questions regarding this position, please contact Tracy.Hueppelsheuser@gov.bc.ca.
About this Position:
There is currently one (1) permanent, full time position available at the Abbotsford Agriculture Center.
This position has full time on-site requirements.
Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment.
An eligibility list may be established to fill future temporary and permanent vacancies.
A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.
Working for the BC Public Service:
The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.
We are committed to ensuring reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process, including the assessment and selection stages. Please email the individual or contact listed on the posting if you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process.
The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Canadian Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Métis, or Inuit) applicants. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.
The BC Public Service is an award winning employer and offers employees competitive benefits, great learning opportunities and a chance to engage in rewarding work with exciting career development options. For more information, visit What the BC Public Service Offers.
How to Apply:
Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the job requirements listed above. Applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on their knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies and other position related requirements as outlined in the Job Profile at the bottom of the posting.
Cover Letter: NO – Please do not submit a cover letter as it will not be reviewed.
Resume: YES – A resume is required as part of your application; however, it may not be used for initial shortlisting purposes.
Questionnaire: YES – You will need to complete a comprehensive questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements. Include all relevant information about your educational accomplishments and employment history including job titles, start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and how you obtained your relevant experience. The questionnaire will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.
Find more information on the recruitment process, including helpful tips and videos about the application process, visit the Your Job Application page of MyHR. Gain insights into the hiring journey by joining a Career Conversation. Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Time on the closing date of the competition. If you are experiencing technical difficulty applying, visit the Technical Assistance page of MyHR.
