LB AST 09R - Laboratory Assistant

Posting Title
LB AST 09R - Laboratory Assistant

Position Classification
Laboratory Assistant R9

Union
GEU

Work Options
On-Site

Location
Abbotsford, BC V2S 1H4 CA (Primary)

Salary Range
$50,190.86 - $56,546.21 annually

Close Date
4/14/2025

Job Type
Regular Full Time

Temporary End Date

Ministry/Organization
BC Public Service -> Agriculture and Food

Ministry Branch / Division
Plant and Animal Health Branch/SPID

Job Summary

The Team

Join our Laboratory Operations team within the Plant and Animal Health Branch (PAHB), where we provide essential diagnostic services to protect animal and plant health across the province. As part of this established and collaborative team, you'll work alongside Laboratory Health Science Officers and support diverse departments, including Molecular Diagnostics, Serology, Virology, and Bacteriology. Your contributions will play a vital role in maintaining daily operations and responding to critical outbreaks, all within a dynamic, fast-paced environment that values teamwork, inclusion, and diverse perspectives.

The Role

In this role, you will play a vital part in supporting laboratory operations by handling essential tasks such as housekeeping, laundry, and sample management, ensuring that all materials are safely cleaned, handled, or disposed of according to strict protocols. Your work will directly enable laboratory scientists to carry out critical diagnostics efficiently, contributing to the protection of animal and plant health in British Columbia. This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in an accredited and licensed diagnostic facility while making a meaningful impact on food safety and security for British Columbians.

Qualifications:
Education and Experience Requirements

• Grade 12 graduation or equivalent.
• Minimum one year of full-time post-secondary coursework in Biological Sciences, Applied Technology, or equivalent.
• Experience working with technical equipment including autoclaves, dishwashers, glassware dryers, mixers, fridge, freezers and/or incubators in human or veterinary diagnostic laboratory.
• Experience with preparing agars, broths and/or reagents.
• Experience working, handling and properly disposing of biohazardous waste in a laboratory setting.

Preference may be given to applicants with any of the following:

• Minimum one year Diploma in Biological Sciences, Applied Technology, or equivalent.
• Experience as a laboratory assistant in a human or veterinary diagnostic laboratory.
• Experience in an ISO 17025 or AAVLD accredited facility.
• Experience working with laboratory quality assurance programs.

Provisos /Willingness statements:

• Willingness to meet safety standards of Work Safe BC including maintenance of laboratory safety training and certifications.
• Willingness to participate in Laboratory Quality Assurance Program in maintenance of American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) and Standard Council of Canada (SCC) accreditation.
• This position may require irregular work hours and be on-call/available to the Directors and Executive Director and/or laboratory staff during outbreaks and emergencies.
• Must be able to perform repetitive motions: bending, lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 40lbs on a continuous basis.
• Must be willing to work in Containment Levels 2 and 3, and foreign animal disease, or adjacent to a lab with the potential for exposure to risks from pathogens.

For questions regarding this position, please contact Heather.Osachoff@gov.bc.ca .

About this Position:
This position has full time on-site requirements
This is for one (1) permanent opportunity in Abbotsford.
An eligibility list may be established for future temporary and/or permanent opportunities.
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.

The BC Public Service is an award-winning employer and offers employees competitive benefits, amazing learning opportunities and a chance to engage in rewarding work with exciting career development opportunities. For more information, please see What We Offer .

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
Administrative Services

Additional Information