LSO AGRL 4 - Provincial Apiculture Specialist

Government of British Columbia; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A provincial government agency in Canada is looking for a Provincial Apiculture Specialist. This role involves leading efforts to protect honeybee health, supervising inspection staff, and providing essential training to beekeepers. Candidates must be registered as a Professional Agrologist or eligible within six months, with significant experience in the Canadian Bee Industry. This position offers a permanent full-time contract with flexible work options.

Benefits

Competitive benefits

Four weeks of annual paid vacation

Professional fees allowance

Qualifications

• Registered as a Professional Agrologist or eligible within six months.
• Minimum five years of experience with the Canadian Bee Industry.
• Experience supervising and mentoring staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead provincial efforts to protect honeybee health.
• Supervise inspection staff and deliver beekeeper training.
• Provide diagnostic services for bee diseases.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Technical report writing

Problem-solving

Education

Degree in Agriculture or related field

Registration as a Professional Agrologist (PAg)

Job description

The Team

The Office of the Chief Veterinarian is a dedicated and knowledgeable team that leads animal health policy and programming across British Columbia. This established group includes veterinarians, inspectors, and specialists who bring deep expertise and a collaborative approach to protecting animal and pollinator health. With a strong culture of flexibility and shared purpose, our team works together to support BC’s beekeeping industry and broader agricultural community through education, inspections, and science-based services.

The Role

The Provincial Apiculture Specialist holds delegated authority under the Chief Provincial Veterinarian to administer the Bee Regulation under the Animal Health Act. As such, this role leads British Columbia’s efforts to protect and promote honeybee health -- an essential part of the province’s agricultural success and environmental resilience. This position combines leadership, education, and science, from supervising inspection staff and delivering beekeeper training, to providing diagnostic services that help prevent and manage bee diseases. This is a unique opportunity to shape a long-standing provincial program that supports pollination, food production, and ecosystem health across the province.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Registered, or immediately eligible for registration (within six (6) months of employment), as a Professional Agrologist (PAg) with the BC Institute of Agrologists (BCIA). Confirmation of registration/eligibility is required before an offer of employment can be made.
• Degree (or higher) in Agriculture or related field as determined by the BCIA.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience with the Canadian Bee Industry (experience with the bee sector from a similar area (Europe, Australia, United States, etc.) or related sector (greenhouse, blueberries, entomology, etc.), may also be considered).
• Experience supervising, leading, coaching and mentoring staff.
• Valid BC Class 5 Driver’s Licence or equivalent.

Preference may be given to those with one (1) or more of the following:

• Experience in applying agriculture and food related acts and regulations.
• Experience performing technical duties and working with key statutes that support agriculture and food.
• Experience in technical report writing.
• Experience dealing effectively with people in challenging situations, including in isolated settings.

Provisos:

• Meet the safety standards of WorkSafe BC.
• Willing and able to conduct fieldwork, which includes travel to remote areas by vehicle, overnight or extended stay, and working in all weather conditions.

For questions regarding this position, please contact [e-mail].

About this Position

There is currently one (1) permanent, full time position available that can be located in Abbotsford or Kelowna. Flexible work options are available; this position may be able to work up to two (2) days at home per week subject to an approved Telework Agreement. Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment. Applicants who do not fully meet the required qualifications may be considered for this position, but at a lower classification. An eligibility list may be established to fill future temporary and permanent vacancies in the above locations. A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.

Working for the BC Public Service

The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

We are committed to ensuring reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process, including the assessment and selection stages. Please email the individual or contact listed on the posting if you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process.

The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Indigenous applicants originating from the land known as Canada, seeking work or already employed in the BC Public Service. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.

The BC Public Service is an award winning employer and offers employees competitive benefits, great learning opportunities and a chance to engage in rewarding work with exciting career development options. On top of the base salary, regular, full time Professional Employee Association members are also entitled to an allowance to cover professional fees, a 7% allowance in Lieu of Overtime Shiftwork and Standby (taken as time or money), and start off with four (4) weeks of annual paid vacation.

How to Apply:

Your resume and/or cover letter must clearly show that you meet the education and experience requirements. Highlight the required qualifications and support them with specific examples, such as your responsibilities, projects you've worked on, or accomplishments. Find more information on the recruitment process, including helpful tips and videos about the application process, visit the Your Job Application page of MyHR. Gain insights into the hiring journey by joining a Career Conversation.

Professional Designation: YES - Please include your registration number in your application. You must be registered, or immediately eligible for registration (within six (6) months of employment), as a Professional Agrologist (PAg) with the BC Institute of Agrologists (BCIA). Applicants who are registered (or immediately eligible for registration) with the BCIA as an Articling Agrologist may be considered for this position at a lower classification. Confirmation of registration/eligibility is required before an offer of employment can be made.

Cover Letter: YES - A cover letter is required as part of your application. Please use your cover letter to describe how your qualifications and career interests align with this position. The content and/or format of your cover letter may be evaluated as part of the assessment process.

Resume: YES - Ensure your resume includes your educational accomplishments, employment history, including job titles, start and end dates (month and year) and your job related responsibilities for each job in your employment history, and any relevant information that relates to this position.

Questionnaire: YES - You will need to complete a basic questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements.

Applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on their knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies and other position related requirements as outlined in the Job Profile at the bottom of the posting. Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Time on the closing date of the competition. If you are experiencing technical difficulty applying, visit the Technical Assistance page of MyHR.