Department: Agriculture

Location: BIBLE HILL

Type of Employment: Casual

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 06-Jan-26 (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, healthy, 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.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager, Agriculture Inspection Services, the Inspector Specialist plays a key role in the enforcement of the Meat Inspection Act and Regulations. Working within a regulatory environment, you will ensure that abattoirs, and meat processors are operating in compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, policies, and guidelines. You will implement compliance-related activities to ensure humane slaughter of animals intended for the food chain, meat of animals entering the food chain is fit for human consumption, and abattoirs and meat processors are being maintained and operated in a manner to ensure food safety.

Primary Accountabilities

Working closely with their manager, the program veterinarian, and program coordinator, the Inspector Specialist conducts the activities:

Meat Inspection Act and Regulations

Ensures provincially licensed abattoirs and meat processors are following provincial design and construction criteria and that they are properly maintained, hygienic, and operated in a manner consistent with applicable legislation, regulations, policies, and guidelines.
Ensures humane treatment of animals while in holding and during slaughter; conducts ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections to ensure meat products originating from these facilities are fit for human consumption.
Conducts facility inspections, risk-based audits, and responds to complaints.

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate should have completed a related trade, technical training, or degree in a related field and have six years of related experience after the course completion; or an equivalent combination of training and experience may be acceptable.

To be successful within this role, you must be able to quickly identify non compliances, as well as be able to determine the severity of signs of distress, injury, or related issues in farm animals as well as a strong understanding of farm animal husbandry, care, handling, feeding, and sheltering of farm animals.

Proficient computer skills and report writing will also be essential within this position.

In addition to the above, you will demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to plan, organize, as well as interpret and explain legislation and technical matters. You will be able to solve complex issues, make decisions, be self-motivated, versatile, work independently, and manage difficult or confrontational situations with ease.

Preference is to those with previous training and experience in any of the following: Food Safety; Meat Processing; Animal Welfare; Regulatory Enforcement; Veterinary Technology; Animal Health Technology.

You must have regular access to a reliable vehicle and a valid driver’s license.

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.

Working Conditions

Shifts will vary and may be up to 12 hours in length. Depending on the region an employee is hired into, they will be expected to work throughout that region – Western or Eastern. Occasionally, an employee will be scheduled to work outside their home region. Occasional holiday work may be required. Must be able to be on feet for long periods of time and be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Additional Information

Please note there are several casual relief positions available. Preference will be given to those that have previous Meat Inspection experience. The division of the work assigned will based upon ongoing operational requirements.

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

Pay Grade:TE 22

Salary Range:$33.65 - $39.58 Hourly

The salary rates include an economic adjustment that has been approved. These rates are effective April 1, 2025. Implementation in our HR system will occur on March 5, 2026. Until then, the current rates will apply. Employees hired during this period will receive retroactive pay adjustments in accordance with the applicable policies.

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.

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

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.

Jobs in Bible Hill

Meat Inspector Specialist 2 (Casual Relief)

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