Apiculture Survey Technologist

Role Responsibilities

Join us for a 6 month adventure! We’re hiring an Apiculture Survey Technologist to help monitor honey bee health across Alberta. Travel the province, work hands on with colonies, and support vital research that keeps our honey industry thriving. Ready to make an impact?

Reporting to the Lead Apiculture Inspector, you will conduct field sampling, collect data, and assist with diagnostic laboratory activities. This role requires extensive travel throughout the province and hands-on work with honey bee colonies.

Your work will contribute to the health and sustainability of Alberta’s honey bee industry by creating a baseline understanding of current pest risks and monitoring emerging threats. This information will enable beekeepers to adapt their management practices and ensure market access for Alberta’s honey products.

Key Responsibilities

1. Field Sampling and Monitoring:
   • Schedule monitoring and surveillance visits across Alberta.
   • Follow biosecurity protocols to prevent disease and pest spread.
   • Travel extensively to collect field samples from randomly selected beekeeping operations.
2. Laboratory Work and Diagnostics:
   
   • Prepare and analyze samples for laboratory diagnostics following established protocols.
   • Organize and process samples at the facility (CDCN) and prepare shipments to the National Bee Diagnostics Centre as required.
3. Data Collection and Reporting:
   
   • Record detailed, accurate notes and maintain data in spreadsheets as directed by the supervisor.
   • Report field and laboratory progress and escalate any issues to the supervisor.
4. Supply Management:
   
   • Track and replenish inspection and sampling supplies as needed.
   • Maintain an organized system for managing sample kits and resources.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Agility - Creates an adaptable environment:

Fosters agility, proactive and flexible practices.
Leads and creates momentum for change.
Champions plan of action and overcomes barriers through proactive anticipation.
Quickly understands and reacts to environment, establishing flexible culture.

Drive for Results - Aligns different groups to achieve goals and realize broader outcomes:

• Defines work mission to achieve APS goals and integrate projects.
• Provides bold advice to stakeholders.
• Proactively improves overall performance, measured through metrics.

Develop Self and Others - Champions development and learning in all groups:

• Actively learns about the broader organization.
• Brings others together to identify issues and successes, and takes a systems thinking approach.
• Champions development and leadership building.

Build Collaborative Environments - Creates an open environment of communication:

• Promotes sharing of expertise.
• Initiates strategic communication systems.
• Anticipates and addresses potential conflict areas.
• Inspires with a bold, complete and shared vision.
• Leads cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

High school diploma supplemented with courses related to the position assignment such as Science, Agriculture, Animal Health or related.; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalencies: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:  

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.
  
  

Preference will be given to those with previous Beekeeping experience.

Additional Requirements:

• A valid Class 5 Driver’s License and a clear Driver’s Abstract.
• You cannot have an allergy to bee stings.
  
  

Assets:

• Experience in fieldwork, laboratory diagnostics, or working with honey bees is an asset.
• Knowledge of honey bee biology, regulated diseases, and beekeeping practices in Alberta.
• A diploma in biological sciences, agriculture, or a related field.
• Experience sampling bees for pest/disease diagnosis.
  
  

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

• Location: Edmonton.
• Candidate must reside within the geographical boundaries of the assigned regional work area (Edmonton) and within a reasonable distance (within ~100 km) of the Edmonton office (Crop Assurance Branch, 17507 Fort Road NW).
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week. 
• Monday to Friday (08:15 am-16:30 pm).
• This is a temporary, seasonal position with extensive travel requirements.
• Candidates must be comfortable working with honey bees in various field conditions.

Other Application Information:

• Final candidates may be required to undergo a written test demonstrating writing skills and abilities pre or post interviews.
• This position may require final candidates to undergo a security clearance.
• Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.