Aquatic Animal Health Veterinarian (Veterinarian 1-2(A)-(B))

Competition # : 49605  

Department: Fisheries and Aquaculture

Location: BIBLE HILL

Type of Employment:Permanent

Union Status:  NSGEU - NSPG  

Closing Date: 25-Aug-26  (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (the Department) has a legislated mandate to manage, promote, support, and develop the fishing, aquaculture, and seafood buying and processing industries that contribute to the economic, environmental and social prosperity of Nova Scotia’s coastal and rural communities. We work to promote Nova Scotia as Canada’s premier fish and seafood province. 

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Aquatic Animal Health Veterinarian, the incumbent will provide a full spectrum of aquatic animal health veterinary service, including the provision of rapid and competent disease diagnosis, treatment and preventative management recommendations for aquatic animal populations.

The candidate will frequently consult with aquaculturists to respond to emergency and general population health issues. The successful applicant must apply provincial aquatic animal health policy and regulations and work closely with provincial and national officials to aid in development of health surveillance programs. They will conduct work relating to the provincial aquatic animal health surveillance programs requiring extensive travel throughout the province.  

Primary Accountabilities

Responsibilities include:

• Provide aquatic animal veterinary medicine to populations reared on regulated aquaculture sites in Nova Scotia.

• Assist in the development and implementation of provincial fish health surveillance and management programs pertaining to the Nova Scotia Aquaculture Management Regulations.

• Communicate and provide written reports on findings and recommendations to aquaculturists, designated veterinarians, provincial and federal aquatic animal health colleagues and laboratory personnel.  

Qualifications and Experience

As a successful candidate for this position, you have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. You are also eligible to practice veterinary medicine in Nova Scotia through licensure with the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association.  You must demonstrate experience in aquatic animal medicine and possess excellent oral and written communication skills as well as the ability to work effectively within a team. Computer literacy is required for this role

You have a valid driver’s license and must be capable of extensive travel, working in remote areas, on the water around fish farms and boats working extended hours and should be available for on-call duty.

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, typing test, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks. 

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

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• Required to work overtime on occasion
• A mix of aquaculture site field work and laboratory setting work conditions can be expected

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:PR 14 - PR 19  

Salary Range:  $2,912.93 - $4,347.11 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 View email address on jobs.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. 

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more 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 View email address on jobs.novascotia.ca.