Technologist, Safety and Services

Role Responsibilities

Join Our Safety & Services (S&S) Team!

We’re looking for a detail-oriented and proactive professional to keep our labs running smoothly and safely. In this role, you’ll work independently and collaboratively in Level 1–3 biological containment labs, supporting critical operations that power agricultural innovation.

What You’ll Do:

• Coordinate lab safety programs and inspections under Alberta OHS standards.
• Manage freezer space, inventory of reference organisms, and distribution of cultures.
• Oversee chemical safety, including handling, storage, and waste disposal.
• Keep equipment in top shape - maintenance, calibration, and documentation are your domain.
• Prepare microbiological media, maintain PPE supplies, and manage common goods.
• Represent the team on key safety committees and drive continuous improvement.

What We’re Looking For:

• Strong knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 and Quality Management Systems.
• A passion for safety, organization, and precision in a fast-paced lab environment.

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.

Develop Self and Others - Plans according to career goals and regular development:

• Aligns personal goals with career goals.
• Leverages strengths; attempts stretch goals.
• Provides feedback and openly discusses team performance.
• Values team diversity, and supports personal development.

Creative Problem Solving - Engages the community and resources at hand to address issues:

• Engages perspective to seek root causes.
• Finds ways to improve complex systems.
• Employs resources from other areas to solve problems.
• Engages others and encourages debate and idea generation to solve problems while addressing risks.

Agility - Identifies and manages required change and the associated risks:

• Identifies alternative approaches and supports others to do the same.
• Proactively explains impact of changes.
• Anticipates and mitigates emotions of others.
• Anticipates obstacles and stays focused on goals.
• Makes decisions and takes action in uncertain situations and creates a backup plan.

Build Collaborative Environments - Collaborates across functional areas and proactively addresses conflict:

• Encourages broad thinking on projects, and works to eliminate barriers to progress.
• Facilitates communication and collaboration.
• Anticipates and reduces conflict at the outset.
• Credits others and gets talent recognized.
• Promotes collaboration and commitment.

Qualifications

• Two-year technical diploma in a related field such as biology, microbiology, chemistry or biochemistry. 

Equivalency:
Directly related education or experience considered based on:

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

Additional requirements:
Must be deemed fit for respirator use (must meet medical prerequisites and pass fit test).

Assets:

• OH&S certificate or diploma. 
• Knowledge of good laboratory practices and laboratory quality assurance.
• Knowledge of standards, principles and procedures of quality control/assurance to ensure the reliability and accuracy of results.
• Previous experience working in an animal health, food safety, or medical laboratory environment.
• Previous experience working in an ISO 17025 or 15189 accredited laboratory environment.

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

Position Information:

• Office located in Edmonton at the O. S. Longman Building.
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week (permanent full-time).
• Monday to Friday (08:15 am-16:30 pm).
• Temporary position covering a mat leave with an end date on or before 6 months from the start date.
• This position may be expected to work occasional weekends or evenings when responding to outbreaks affecting food safety or animal health.
  
  

Other Application Information:

• A cover letter is required with your application, outlining how your education and experience align with the role.
• This position may require final candidates to undergo a security clearance.
• Final candidates may be required to undergo a written test demonstrating writing skills and abilities pre or post interviews.
• Please indicate employment duration for all roles listed on your resume and whether you worked part-time or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009.
• 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.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• 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.