Posting Title

LB AST 09R - Laboratory Assistant

Position Classification

Laboratory Assistant R9

Union

GEU

Work Options

Location

Abbotsford, BC V2S 1H4 CA (Primary)

Salary Range

$54,684.22 - $61,647.97 annually

Close Date

5/27/2026

Job Type

Regular Full Time

Temporary End Date

Ministry/Organization

BC Public Service -> Agriculture and Food

Ministry Branch / Division

Science, Policy and Inspections Division / Plant and Animal Health Branch

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 is for one (1) permanent opportunity in Abbotsford.
An eligibility list may be established to fill both current and/or future permanent vacancies.
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 Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Inuit or Métis) applicants originating from the land now known as Canada, seeking work or already employed in the BC Public Service. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.

How to Apply:
Your resume and/or cover letter must clearly show that you meet the education and experience requirements. Highlight the required qualifications and support them with specific examples, such as your responsibilities, projects you've worked on, or accomplishments. 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.

Cover Letter: NO - Please do not submit a cover letter as it will not be reviewed.

Resume: YES - Ensure your resume includes your educational accomplishments, employment history including start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and any relevant information that relates to the job to which you are applying.

Questionnaire: YES - You will need to complete a basic questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements.

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. 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

Scientific and Technical