Aquatic Toxicology Technologist

Are you an experienced professional interested in assessing the effects of contaminants in environmental samples on aquatic organisms?

Join the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and be part of our team which is dedicated to providing scientific solutions to environmental challenges.

NOTE: Job requires working weekends and holidays on a rotating basis (up to 26 weekends/year). Schedule to be determined.

What can I expect to do in this role?

In this role, you will:

• provide general laboratory testing culturing and related activities in the Aquatic Toxicity Unit
• provide data management, interpretation and reporting as well as quality management support to the unit
• possibility of field work to collect samples

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

• The position requires the successful candidate to have a valid class G driver's licence or equivalent. The offer of employment is conditional upon the successful candidate providing proof that they have a valid driver's licence upon being hired.

Environmental Testing Knowledge and Experience:

• You have knowledge of the science, theories, principles and practices of aquatic biology (e.g. toxicity testing and aquaculture) as it applies to environmental testing
• You have knowledge of systems for maintaining appropriate environmental conditions for maintaining healthy organisms in cultures and for testing
• You have the knowledge of the techniques and practices of humane test culture maintenance to ensure healthy test specimens
• You have knowledge of the techniques for the collection and preparation of water and sediment samples for biological testing to provide advice to clients or to take samples
• You have practical experience in an environmental lab culturing and performing aquatic toxicity testing and bioaccumulation studies using aquatic organisms such as Rainbow trout, Fathead minnows, Lumbriculus variegatus, Hexagenia spp., Hyalella azteca, Chironomus dilutus and Daphnia magna.

Environmental Legislation and Guidelines:

• You know relevant occupational health and safety legislation (e.g. Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and Safety Data Sheets (SDS))
• You have knowledge of effluent toxicity limits and water quality objectives under provincial and federal regulations and guidelines
• You have knowledge of Ontario and Canadian water discharge regulations and associated toxicity testing requirements to perform tests correctly
• You have knowledge of laboratory quality assurance practices and ISO 17025 standards

Project Management, Analytical and Research Skills:

• You have experience managing multiple, technical projects and scientific studies
• Job requires analytical and investigative skills to summarize test findings and provide conclusions and recommendations or best professional judgment, (e.g. recommending follow-up actions to management on standard method requirements)
• You have diagnostic and problem solving skills to detect and react to a problem
• Job requires knowledge and experience with the operation and maintenance of basic analytical instrumentation to measure chlorine (amperometric titration) and ammonia content (specific ion meter) as well as pH (pH meter) and conductivity (conductivity meter) of water samples to ensure quality results and basic laboratory equipment such as balances, microscopes and pipettes.

Computer and Communication Skills:

• You can communicate in a clear and concise manner
• You can draft a variety of written materials and have experience preparing scientific reports and papers for publication
• You contribute to a team environment and share duties in a collaborative manner
• You have knowledge of databases such as Laboratory Information Management System, mathematical and statistical tools, word processing, data management and assessment to evaluate and summarize test results.

OPS Commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit theOPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the application instructions below if you require a disability-related accommodation.

Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Thursday, March 3, 2022 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.