Various Laboratory Analyst Positions

• Department: Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Food Safety and Science Branch
• Reference number: ICA26J-127696-000030
• Selection process number: 26-ICA-ATL-OE-VAR-FSCI-095
• Location: Dartmouth (Nova Scotia)
• Salary: $71,271 to $90,176 - salary under review
• Level: EG-04
• Who can apply: Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and Permanent residents abroad.
• Closing date: 9 November 2026

About the position DutiesDuties include (but are not limited to):
• Provides laboratory support functions related to sample reception, sample and reagent preparation, standards and other supplies inventories, and laboratory clean-up.
• Conducts complex analytical procedures for diagnostic testing, research projects and/or method improvement work on a wide range of samples using established procedures and methodologies.
• Compiles and evaluates analytical data and test results based on set, recognized standards, and reports results.
•Troubleshoots, investigates, and solves performance issues with laboratory methods and equipment.
• Maintains records of samples, observations, tests conducted, and processes followed according to the ISO 17025 quality assurance (QA) system of the laboratory.
•Prioritizes workload/tasks for maximum efficiency in meeting turnaround times.
•Contributes to the laboratory quality assurance system and safety management system.
•Works in environmentally challenging or physically demanding conditions with toxins, contaminants and a variety of food commodities. Extensive periods of standing, lifting heavy samples, shucking of bivalve shellfish; exposure to allergens such as fish, shellfish, crustaceans, nuts, milk, etc. Work environmentWe offer a bilingual, science-based environment, with excellent benefits, flexible hours, opportunities for advancement, an emphasis on learning and development, strong and active Diversity Networks, and a high level of employee satisfaction.
Our workforce is rich in unique identities, experiences and perspectives which are the foundation of our collective talent and strength! Intent of the process A pool of qualified candidates will be established. This pool may be used to staff positions with similar qualifications, various conditions of employment and/or various tenures including term appointments, indeterminate appointments, acting appointments and/or assignments. Important messages The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is a separate employer and is not subject to the Public Service Employment Act.
The CFIA considers applications from individuals who have legal status to work in Canada and does not give preference to Canadian citizens.
Personal information is obtained for the purpose of determining an individual’s competence and suitability for employment. If a staffing complaint questions this determination, please be advised that relevant personal information you will provide in the course of this staffing process may be disclosed to substantiate the staffing decision.
During the application or assessment process both cheating and plagiarism are considered forms of misconduct and are not permitted. Any person found cheating, including those who help others to cheat, may be subject to removal from the staffing process.
We will only accept applications received through the GC Jobs website, therefore you must submit your application by clicking on “Apply” in this advertisement. Persons who are unable to apply online must use the “Hiring organization contact” below, prior to the closing date, to request specialized accommodation.
Depending on the number of applicants and CFIA's needs, volume management strategies (e.g., top-down approach, cut-off scores, or random selection) may be used. Candidates will be informed if such a strategy is applied.
When submitting an application to this selection process, you will be prompted to answer screening questions concerning some of the qualifications. Your responses to these questions will be used as a primary source of information and your resume may only be used to validate this information. Incomplete responses to the screening questions, e.g. “please see resume”, could result in your application being rejected.
Any interactions during the selection process, both written and verbal may be used in your evaluation. Conditions of employmentReliability Status security clearance - Applicants who have not lived in Canada for the past five (or ten, depending on security level) years may be required to submit a police certificate from each country in which they have lived for six months or more during this period, as well as other documentation required for the security screening process. Failure to submit this documentation if requested will eliminate the application from further consideration.OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The following conditions of employment are required for an appointment:
• Adherence to the CFIA Code of Conduct.
• Adherence to the CFIA Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Policy.
• Compliance with the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector.
• Legal status to accept employment for the entire period of employment.
Any of the following conditions of employment may be required for an appointment:
- Willing and available to travel, as required.
- Willing and available to work shifts.
- Willing and available to work irregular hours (e.g., days, nights, weekends, statutory holidays).
- Willing and available to work overtime, as required.
- To use in the prescribed circumstances and manner all prescribed safety materials, equipment, devices and clothing.
- To use prescribed and provided respiratory equipment that meets the respiratory program requirements; to undergo fit testing (e.g. may need to be clean-shaven, depending on the respirator design). You need (essential for the job) Your application must clearly explain how you meet the followingESSENTIAL EDUCATION
EEd1: Completion of post-secondary education specializing in a field related to the functions of the positions such as: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Food Science and Technology, Agricultural Chemistry, or other specialty relevant to the position.
If you are selected for further consideration in this staffing process, you will be asked to provide proof of your education credentials at a later date.
Applicants submitting education credentials from a non-Canadian institution are responsible for obtaining certification that these credentials are the equivalent of the Canadian education level required for the position.ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE
EE1: ALL STREAMS - Recent* experience conducting complex analytical procedures and methodologies for diagnostic or research activities in a chemistry or microbiology laboratory environment.
EE2: ALL STREAMS - Recent* experience in operating complex laboratory equipment for chemical or microbiological analysis.
EE3: STREAM 1 ONLY CHEMISTRY - Recent* experience in processing instrument data and evaluating against acceptable quality controls.
EE4: STREAM 2 ONLY MICROBIOLOGY- Recent* experience interpreting microbiological results and evaluating them against established quality control and method acceptance criteria.
Recent* experience is defined as experience normally acquired within the last five (5) years.Applied / assessed at a later dateESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE
EK1: Interpretation of Scientific Data
EK2: Scientific Technical Theories and InstrumentationESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES
EC1: Integrity and Respect
EC2: Working Effectively with Others
EC3: Detail Oriented
EC4: Initiative
EC5: Written and Oral Communication
EC6: Laboratory Skills and Techniques
*Your ability to communicate effectively in writing will be assessed via the application. Language requirements (essential for the job) Applied / assessed at a later date English essential - You are entitled to participate in the staffing process in the official language of your choice. You may need (asset qualifications) May be applied / assessed at a later dateASSET EXPERIENCE
AEx1: ALL STREAMS - Experience working in a regulatory testing environment.
AEx2: All STREAMS - Experience conducting method development or method validation procedures and evaluating whether a method is fit for its intended purpose.
AEx3: ALL STREAMS - Experience working within an ISO accredited management system.
AEx4: STREAM 1 ONLY CHEMISTRY - Experience in maintaining and troubleshooting complex lab equipment such as; an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
AEx5: STREAM 2 ONLY MICROBIOLOGY - Experience performing microbiological analyses using standardized methods, including methods from Health Canada’s Compendium of Analytical Methods, culture-based techniques, and molecular or rapid detection methods such as PCR, qPCR or automated immunoassay systems.