Northern Analytical Laboratory Services (NALS)
CUPE, Regular, Full-time
Internal applicants from CUPE Local 3799 will be given priority consideration.
Reporting to the Director of NALS, and working under the direction of senior NALS personnel, the Chemistry Lab Technician provides routine, SOP-driven technical support for Northern Analytical Laboratory Services (NALS). The position supports sample receipt, organization, preparation, reagent and standard preparation, routine digestion/extraction and instrument-support workflows, air-filter and metals-preparation workflows, QC documentation, inventory support, waste handling, safe laboratory operations, and accurate recordkeeping. The role contributes to NALS service continuity, safety, and quality systems by following established procedures and escalating technical, quality, or safety concerns to the appropriate supervisor, Analytical Lab Specialist, or Quality Assurance Officer. This technician position does not include final technical approval, formal QA authority, method ownership, accreditation-scope decisions, independent client-impacting interpretation, or formal supervisory.
Responsibilities
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Receiving, organizing, labeling, preserving, and preparing environmental and laboratory samples in accordance with established NALS procedures and chain-of-custody requirements;
- Preparing reagents, standards, calibration materials, and quality-control materials under approved SOPs and the direction of senior technical staff;
- Performing routine sample preparation tasks such as weighing, diluting, filtering, extracting, digesting, transferring, and preparing laboratory batches for analysis;
- Supporting routine workflows for metals, water, soil/solid materials, air filters, and other environmental or research samples handled by NALS;
- Assisting with routine instrument-support tasks, including preparation of sample racks/batches, glassware and consumable preparation, routine cleaning, and basic maintenance checks, as directed;
- Completing bench sheets, sample preparation logs, QC records, chain-of-custody documentation, and other records accurately and in a timely manner;
- Entering or organizing routine laboratory information in spreadsheets, databases, or laboratory information systems, and check records for completeness before submission to senior staff;
- Maintaining clean, organized, and safe laboratory work areas; follow Workplace Harzardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), chemical hygiene, waste-management, and UNBC/NALS safety procedures;
- Monitoring and restocking routine laboratory supplies, consumables, standards, and reagents; notify the appropriate staff of inventory needs, equipment issues, or supply shortages;
- Assisting with sample storage, retention, disposal, and laboratory waste handling in accordance with applicable procedures and safety requirements;
- Identifying and promptly escalating non-conformances, unexpected observations, equipment concerns, sample integrity issues, or safety concerns to the supervisor, Analytical Lab Specialist, or Quality Assurance Officer; and
- Providing general technical and operational support to NALS staff and students as needed, consistent with the technician-level scope of the position.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess the following:
- A two-year diploma in chemistry, environmental science, laboratory technology, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and related laboratory experience;
- Minimum one year related experience in a chemical, environmental, academic, industrial, or analytical laboratory setting;
- Knowledge of routine laboratory practices, WHMIS, chemical safety, sample handling, laboratory housekeeping, and safe waste-handling procedures;
- Ability to follow SOPs, written instructions, and quality-system requirements carefully and consistently;
- Working knowledge of basic laboratory calculations, including dilutions, concentrations, units, standards, and reagent preparation;
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate sample labels, preparation records, chain-of-custody information, and QC documentation;
- Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and the ability to work with spreadsheets, databases, or laboratory information systems;
- Ability to prioritize routine tasks, communicate clearly, work collaboratively, and escalate questions or concerns appropriately;
- Capacity to perform routine laboratory tasks, including standing, using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), handling samples and chemicals, and moving standard laboratory materials, with accommodation as required; and
- Experience with ISO/IEC 17025 quality systems, environmental sample workflows, ICP-MS/ICP-OES, ion chromatography, GC-MS/MS, digestion systems, air-filter preparation, or metals analysis is considered an asset.
An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Salary
This position has been classified at a Grade 4. The annual salary range for this position is $51,287.60 to $53,398.80, and the normal starting salary will be $51,287.60.
UNBC offers employee tuition waivers (including spouse and dependents), excellent benefit and pension packages, employee training and development opportunities, as well as relocation assistance. For more details please see: http://www.unbc.ca/human-resources/employee-benefits and http://www.unbc.ca/human-resources/unbc-pension-plan
Normal hours of work will be 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. This is an on-campus position based at the Prince George campus.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Employment Equity
The University of Northern British Columbia is fully committed to creating and maintaining an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment that is accessible to all. We are devoted to ensuring a welcoming, safe, and inclusive campus free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination. This commitment is woven into our motto and mission. In the Dakelh language, UNBC's motto 'En Cha Huna translates to 'they also live' and means respect for all living things. Through the respect for all living things, we are able to grow and learn better together, each bringing our own unique individual differences and contributions to inspire leaders for tomorrow by influencing the world today.
Employment equity requires that we remove barriers and overcome both direct and indirect discrimination. In this way, the pool of excellent candidates increases substantially. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.
About UNBC
Since its founding in 1990, the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has emerged as one of Canada's best small research-intensive universities, with a passion for teaching, discovery, people, and the North. UNBC's excellence is derived from community-inspired research, hands-on learning, and alumni who are leading change around the world.
Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have walked gently on the diverse traditional territories where the University of Northern British Columbia community is grateful to live, work, learn, and play. We are committed to building and nurturing relationships with Indigenous peoples, we acknowledge their traditional lands, and we thank them for their hospitality. UNBC's largest campus in Prince George is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Lheidli T'enneh, in the spectacular landscape near the geographic centre of beautiful British Columbia.
UNBC consistently ranks in the top three in its category in the annual Maclean's university rankings. UNBC also recently placed among the top five per cent of higher education institutions worldwide by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
With a diverse student population, the University is friendly, inclusive, and supportive. Prince George is a city of approximately 80,000 people with impressive cultural, educational, and recreational amenities. For more information about living and working in Prince George, please refer to http://www.unbc.ca/experience and https://moveupprincegeorge.ca. Make your mark with this leading post-secondary institution.
To Apply
Applicants should create an applicant profile and apply on this position by uploading and submitting a cover letter and resume. This position is part of CUPE Local 3799 and is an on-campus position, based at the Prince George campus.
The University of Northern British Columbia is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from the four designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities) as well as the 2SLGBTQ+ communities and individuals with intersectional identities.
Persons with disabilities, who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, may contact UNBC Health & Wellbeing at [email protected]. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We thank all applicants for their interest in UNBC however, only those applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted.
UNBC does not use artificial intelligence to screen candidate applications.
Applications will be accepted until 4:30PM on June 21, 2026.
