Band 5 - Director, Plant Health Unit

Posting Title
Band 5 - Director, Plant Health Unit

Position Classification
Band 5

Union
N/A

Work Options
Hybrid

Location
Abbotsford, BC V2S 1H4 CA (Primary)

Salary Range
$123,100.01 - $157,100.11 Annually

Close Date
10/15/2024

Job Type
Regular Full Time

Temporary End Date

Ministry/Organization
BC Public Service -> Agriculture and Food

Ministry Branch / Division
Plant and Animal Health Branch / Science, Policy and Inspection Division

Job Summary

The Team
At the Plant Health Unit, you'll be joining a well-established, highly technical team of 18 dedicated professionals who are passionate about safeguarding plant health and agricultural productivity in British Columbia. This team of experts in plant pathology, entomology, and diagnostics works to address critical plant health threats that impact the environment and the competitiveness of agricultural crops. Their deep technical expertise and commitment to their work make them a vital part of protecting the province's agricultural sustainability, with a strong focus on collaboration and innovation.

The Role
As Director of the Plant Health Unit, you will lead a science-driven team responsible for overseeing laboratory operations, managing resources, and strategically supporting British Columbia's agricultural sector. Your leadership will play a critical role in delivering diagnostic testing, targeted research programs including field diagnostic support, and regulatory compliance to safeguard plant health and ensure agricultural sustainability. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to innovative solutions that enhance food safety, security, and the global competitiveness of BC's agriculture sector.

Qualifications:
Education and Experience Requirements

• A Master's (AFTER the completion of an unrelated Bachelor's Degree) plus 5 years of experience in plant sciences or agricultural sciences, specialized in plant pathology, entomology, weed science or pest management.; OR
• Doctoral degree plus 3 years of experience in plant sciences or agricultural sciences, specialized in plant pathology, entomology, weed science or pest management.

NOTE: If your degree was obtained outside of Canada, you need to confirm it has been assessed for equivalency through the International Credential Evaluation Services (ICES).

• Minimum 3 experience managing or working in plant diagnostic laboratory functions, procedures and operations.
• Minimum 3 experience in a senior management role leading new business development projects and/or business transformation projects.
• Minimum 3 experience leading multi-disciplinary teams including supervising, managing, and coaching
• Minimum 3 experience establishing and reconciling program and/or project objectives, priorities and budgets (e.g., strategic business planning; contract management; financial management; and leading multi-party interest-based negotiations, preparing briefing notes, Cabinet submissions, Requests for Legislation, Treasury Board Submissions, status reports and other materials).

Preference may be given to applicants with one (1) or more of the following:

• Registered, or eligible for registration, as a Professional Agrologist with the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists or another Canadian Institute.
• Experience working in the agriculture or environmental sector.
• Experience managing or have worked in an accredited (ISO/IEC 17025) diagnostic laboratory or equivalent.

Willingness Statements:

• May be required to work evenings/weekends.
• Exposure to regular travel and to attend provincial meetings.

For questions regarding this position, please contact joyce.austin@gov.bc.ca .

About this Position:
Flexible work options are available; this position may be able to work up to 2 days at home per week subject to an approved telework agreement.
This position is based on Abbotsford.
An eligibility list may be established to fill future temporary and permanent vacancies.
This position is excluded from union membership.
A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.
Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment.

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 that 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.

In addition to this exciting opportunity, the BC Public Service is an award-winning employer in British Columbia, including such accolades as being one of BC's Top Employers for 2017, one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2017 and one of Canada's Top Family-Friendly Employers in 2017. The BC Public Service offers a healthy work/life balance, excellent benefits , including one of the best pension plans available, and a variety of opportunities for career learning and development. To find out more, explore What the BC Public Service offers You

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.

Job Category
Leadership and Management, Policy, Research and Economics, Scientific and Technical