Clean, safe source waters is essential in protecting the health of people, the natural environment and communities in Ontario. By joining the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, in our Laboratory Services Branch, you will contribute to the protection of our lakes, rivers and streams by supporting the analytical testing of environmental samples for toxicity.
If you are interested in providing specialized analytical laboratory support in support of environmental monitoring programs, special studies, emergency responses, litigation and method development, then please consider this exciting opportunity.
In this role, you will:
- provide general laboratory testing culturing and related activities in the Aquatic Toxicology Unit
- provide data management, interpretation and reporting as well as quality management support to the unit
- possibility of field work to collect samples
NOTE: Job requires working weekends and holidays on a rotating basis (up to 26 weekends/year). Schedule to be determined.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's
Human Rights Code and the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.
Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:
- diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
- accessibility
- Anti-Racism Policy
