Public Health Technologist Environmental Microbiology, Environmental Testing

Public Health Technologist Environmental Microbiology, Environmental Testing

BC Centre for Disease Control

Vancouver, BC

Are you ready to make a difference? The BC Centre for Disease Control, a dynamic Provincial Health Services Authority program, seeks passionate individuals to join us in providing provincial and national leadership in disease surveillance, detection, treatment, prevention, and consultation.

At our core, we aim to cultivate vibrant communities where everyone can achieve optimal health and well-being—right where they live, work, learn, and play.

If you're driven by the desire to create positive change and contribute to healthier communities, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for Apply now to join our innovative team and make a difference that matters.

What you'll do

• Participate in day-to-day work activities in the Environmental Microbiology Program by testing drinking, recreational and waste water with membrane filtration, multiple tube fermentation and enzyme substrate procedure for detection and identification of indicator organisms for public health audits and surveillance.
• Perform routine analysis of ready-to-eat food for surrogate or indicator organisms in assessing sanitary quality.
• Participate in food-borne and waterborne disease outbreak investigation by testing food, water, environmental and clinical samples for disease-causing organisms using microscopic, culturing, biochemical, immunological and nucleic acid detection techniques.
• Perform routine examination of stool and vomit samples for Norovirus by RT-PCR procedure in investigation of GI disease outbreaks.
• Prepare stock solutions and reagents following standard operating procedures.
• Respond to requests and inquiries for all referred in tests. Seek direction as required from the Team Lead, Program Head/Medical Microbiologist, Technical Coordinator, Site Supervisor or Laboratory Operations Manager as appropriate, on customer service issues.
• Perform all related functions required for the production of final reports such as preparing, testing and assessing quality control results prior to release of laboratory results, troubleshoots sample adequacy and prepares dilutions as required according to established procedures.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Certification with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS).
• One year of recent, related experience including experience in a clinical and research based laboratory or an equivalent combination of education, training and recent related experience.

Skills & Knowledge

• Basic knowledge of microbiology, molecular biology and biosafety.
• Demonstrated ability in writing scientific manuscripts an asset and performing literature searches.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot unexpected results.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated, manage time, and work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment and use related software.
• Commitment to develop knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents – including Truth & Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study – and how they intersect across the health care system.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That's why we're focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC's largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San'yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Two (2) Temporary, Full-Time Opportunities Available (until March 31, 2025)
Wage: $ $45.81/hour

Location: 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver BC, V5Z 4R4
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Hours of Work: Monday – Friday, Rotating weekend shifts; /
Requisition # 167493E & 168226E

As per the current Public Health Order, full vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment with PHSA as of October 26, 2021.

What we do

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)is dedicated to preventing and controlling communicable diseases and promoting environmental health for the province of BC.

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs:

PHSA and BCCDC are committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA's North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya'kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as including Truth & Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of July 4, 2024. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at or . Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.