Department: Agriculture

Location: BIBLE HILL

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 09-Nov-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

At the Department of Agriculture, our vision is to create a Nova Scotia agriculture and agri-food industry that is diversified, market-focused and profitable. We work to support the development of competitive, sustainable and profitable agriculture and agri-business industries that contribute to the economic, environmental and social prosperity of Nova Scotia.

The Department of Agriculture is posting in anticipation of future needs of a Veterinary Anatomic Pathologist. Anticipated start date is in 2026 and / or may be negotiated based on both parties needs.

Primary Accountabilities

The Department of Agriculture Pathologists work to safeguard animal health, human health, and food security through the provision of veterinary diagnostic services as well as livestock disease and welfare expertise to the agricultural sector in Nova Scotia.

As a Veterinary Pathologists with the NSDA you will be responsible for verifying the quality and accuracy of all scientific results produced by the provincial Animal Health Laboratory including pathology, bacteriology, serology, parasitology, and referral testing. You will report, interpret, and explain results directly to clients while providing recommendations for disease control and prevention. You will perform postmortem examinations (including forensic postmortems) and evaluate surgical biopsies in all species to diagnose disease rapidly and competently. The incumbent contributes to disease control and eradication programs, and identification and surveillance for emerging and foreign animal diseases. Your work plays an important role in reducing the impact of diseases in animals as well as in humans and plays a pivotal role in addressing issues related to best management practices within the livestock industry. You will also participate in (or lead) community outreach and engagement opportunities for clients and stakeholders which support Department priorities.

Qualifications and Experience

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree

Approved post-graduate training in veterinary anatomic pathology with board certification (or eligibility) by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists or European Colleges of Veterinary Pathologists.

Eligibility for general licensure with the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements but are eligible or interested in working towards meeting the requirements in the next 3 years, please apply to discuss options for future education and employment.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

What We Offer

Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
countless career paths.
Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: PR 14 - PR 19

Salary Range: $2,653.85 - $3,960.47 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Accommodation Statement:

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.

Province of Nova Scotia

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