We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.
At the CFIA this commitment goes beyond the hiring process. We are committed to ensuring that all employees have equal, barrier-free access to opportunities; that they can work to the best of their abilities and fully participate in work events. Recognizing where situations require accommodations, we have established several supports and services in the workplace which help to ensure a fair, timely and consistent approach to access.
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.
We will only accept applications received through the GC Jobs website, therefore you must submit your application by clicking on “Apply online” in this advertisement. Persons who are unable to apply online must use the “Contact information” below, prior to the closing date, to request specialized accommodation.
We 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!
The first pull of applications will be on June 5, 2025 and subsequent pulls will be on as needed basis. 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, as required and/or assignments.
Pulls made from this inventory may also be completed exclusively for emergency term appointments. Emergency term is a temporary appointment that is made to support an emergency response where a full assessment is not required. A candidate appointed as an emergency term will remain in the inventory and will require a full assessment for entry into the pool. It is therefore important that you indicate whether you are interested in being considered for an emergency term.
Pulls from this inventory will identify applicants for further assessment based on the needs of specific work locations across Western Canada. It is therefore important that you indicate all the locations in which you are interested, willing and able to work.
Positions to be filled: Number to be determined
Contact information for 2 references: a current and a previous supervisor.
You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.
ESSENTIAL EDUCATION
EEd1: For individuals who are currently employees of CFIA, or who have inspection experience with CFIA or its precursor departments:
• completion of post-secondary education *specializing in relevant technical sciences OR an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.
For individuals who are not current or former employees of CFIA:
• completion of post-secondary education *specializing in relevant technical sciences.
*Relevant specializations may include: Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Entomology, Environmental Health Sciences, Horticulture, Food Science, Food Technology, Forestry, Life Sciences, Microbiology, Nutrition, and Pathology.
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.
Please refer to the link below for more information.
ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE
EE1: Experience working in or providing guidance in the food, plant, animal or agriculture industry (experience gained in your program of study could also be accepted).
EE2: Experience preparing and writing reports or letters.
EE3: Experience using computer software (word processing, spreadsheet and email).
ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES
EC1: Judgement/Decision Making
EC2: Initiative
EC3: Dependability
EC4: Teamwork/Effective Interpersonal Relations
EC5: Oral Communication
EC6: Written Communication
English essential
Information on language requirements
ASSET EDUCATION
AEd1: University graduation with *specialization in a field related to the functions of the position.
*Relevant specializations may include: Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Entomology, Environmental Health Sciences, Horticulture, Food Science, Food Technology, Forestry, Life Sciences, Microbiology, Nutrition, and Pathology.
ASSET EXPERIENCE
AEx1: Experience in applying food, plant and animal science(s) related to the delivery of one or more CFIA inspection programs
AEx2: Experience in Data Management
AEx3: Experience in communicating with Western Canadian Primary Producers
AEx4: Experience in the inspection of and/or sampling at meat-processing and/or cold-storage facilities
AEx5: Experience in sampling, investigation and inspection of manufactured and/or imported food sectors
AEx6: Experience interpreting legislation, regulation, policies and procedures
AEx7: Experience in the Animal Health field and experience with large animal care or other experience with livestock operations, including handling or testing of cattle, elk, bison, swine, or other food production animals
AEx8: Experience working with the commercial poultry industry
ASSET KNOWLEDGE
AK1: Knowledge in diverse cattle operations
AK2: Knowledge of poultry production systems
ASSET COMPETENCIES
AC1: Adaptability / Flexibility
AC2: Persuasion and negotiation
ASSET ABILITIES AND SKILLS
AB1: Cognitive Ability
Reliability 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:
• Medical suitability: Pass a Pre-placement Health Evaluation and Periodic Health Evaluation..
• 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 have and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• To assume responsibility for making transportation arrangements to get to diverse and distant work sites in a timely and efficient manner.
• To use in the prescribed circumstances and manner all prescribed safety materials, equipment, devices and clothing.
• Willing and able to be immunized as indicated by job risk, location, overseas travel and other identified risks.
• Willing and available to travel frequently, as required.
• Willing and able to travel in small boats and/or small planes.
• Willing and available to work shifts in different establishments.
• Willing to work in various locations, including third-party premises.
• 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).
• Willingness to abide by strict biosecurity protocols which may require showering several times a day or abiding by certain restrictions on contact with livestock outside of the workplace.
• Willing and able to work in environmentally challenging or physically demanding conditions.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.
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.
Please ensure that you read ALL points listed below, as this section contains important information about the application process. Failure to read these notes and follow these instructions could result in your application missing required information which may result in your application being eliminated from this staffing process.
You are entitled to participate in the staffing process in the official language of your choice.
For this staffing process, the CFIA will communicate with you by email. You must provide a valid email address to which you wish to receive communication regarding this staffing process. You must ensure that you check your email account including spam, promotion or other folders regularly as there may be a deadline for responses. If you respond past the deadline you risk being removed from the staffing process.
Applicants who are screened in to this staffing process will be sent further information by email regarding what to expect during subsequent phases of this staffing process.
Depending on the number of applicants, CFIA's needs and CFIA HR plans, volume management strategies such as, but not limited to, top-down approach, cut-off scores, random selection and/or assessment may be used for the purpose of managing applications/candidates. Should a volume management strategy be used, communication regarding the application of the strategy will be provided to those candidates who are impacted.
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.
A current copy of your resume may be used as another source to confirm the education and experience you will be asked to describe in the screening questions. It may also be reviewed by prospective hiring managers at the appointment stage.
Psychometric assessments may be administered.
You may be asked to provide proof of your education credentials later in the staffing process.
Various assessment tools may be used in this staffing process such as: standardized tests, reference checks, written tests, an interview, etc.
All written and verbal communication obtained throughout the staffing process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the candidate.
We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.