Language selection

Search

Career profiles

At the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), we are continually working to protect the health of Canadians. To support this effort, we are always seeking people with the key interests and qualifications required for the wide range of job types and opportunities.

Types of careers

Agricultural Officers

Whether performing analyses in the laboratory or meeting with producers and growers in the field, Agricultural Officers must ensure that regulatory standards are adhered to. Their job duties include conducting investigations, providing expert advice, meeting with industry officials, and interpreting regulations and program guidelines. Some key activities include:

Education

The minimum educational requirement for this position is graduation with a degree from a recognized university with an acceptable specialization in agriculture or in a related science normally accepted for membership in a recognized society of agrologists.

Classification: AG
Salary range

Biologists

Whether conducting tests and performing research in a laboratory environment or working to affect legislative and regulatory standards, biologists at the CFIA directly affect the food safety of Canadians. Some key activities include:

Education

The minimum educational requirement for this position is graduation with a degree from a recognized university with specialization in a biological science. Multi-disciplinary positions require graduation with a degree from a recognized university in a natural, physical, or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Classification: BI
Salary range

Chemists

Whether performing analyses in the laboratory or sharing their expertise with colleagues and others, Chemists provide key services within the agency. Some key activities include:

Education

The minimum educational requirement for this position is graduation with a degree from a recognized university with a specialization in chemistry; or for multi-disciplinary positions, graduation with a degree from a recognized university in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Classification: CH
Salary range

Inspectors

Inspectors at the CFIA work at federally and provincially registered slaughterhouses, plants, or inspection laboratories. They inspect and certify products, focusing on key areas of specialization including fresh fruit and vegetable, dairy, grain, meat, plant protection, and fish. Some key activities include:

Education

The minimum educational requirement for CFIA inspectors is a post-secondary diploma with specialization in the technical sciences. In some circumstances, the agency will give preference to applicants with a university degree.

Classification: EG
Salary range

Inspection Managers

Inspection Managers manage the delivery of 1 or more inspection programs to enforce regulations on food safety, animal health, plant protection or consumer protection. Some key activities include:

Classification: IM
Salary range

Laboratory Technicians

CFIA Laboratory Technicians work in laboratories across the country, providing expertise and skills in chemistry, microbiology, toxicology, virology, genetics, and a wide variety of state-of-the-art testing technologies in other biological sciences. This laboratory work is a key component of all agency programs, and helps to ensure that Canadian foods, plants, and animals are safe. Some key activities include:

Education

The minimum educational requirement is a secondary school diploma or approved alternative.

Classification: EG
Salary range

Veterinarians

CFIA Veterinarians play a key role in Canadian food safety, forming the first line of defence against the spread of many diseases among animals, and between animals and humans. They help to maintain healthy practices in the food and livestock industries, including sound meat hygiene and animal health, and within research and diagnostic laboratories. Their work includes educating the public and industry officials about the potential hazards of importing products of animal origin, and inspecting and certifying animals and meat products for domestic and international markets. CFIA Veterinarians work in a broad range of environments, performing a wide variety of critical tasks. Some key activities include:

Education

The minimum educational requirement for CFIA Veterinarians is graduation from a school of Veterinary Medicine recognized by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) or graduation from another veterinary school and a Certificate of Qualifications granted by the National Examining Board of the CVMA.

Occupational Certification requirement: Eligibility for membership in a Canadian Veterinary Association. Defined as current members of a Canadian Veterinary Association with a license recognized by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and non-members of Canadian Veterinary Associations holding a Certificate of Qualification granted by the National Examining Board (NEB) of the CVMA.

Classification: VM
Salary range

Administration / Clerical

Administration and clerical professionals at the agency play an important role in supporting key agency activities.

Administrative services

Types of administrative services positions may include:

Education

The minimum educational requirement for administrative staff at the CFIA is a secondary school diploma or approved alternative.

Classification: AS
Salary range

Clerical positions

Types of clerical positions may include:

Education

The minimum educational requirement for clerical staff at the CFIA is successful completion of 2 years of secondary school or approved alternatives.

Classification: CR
Salary range

Communications

CFIA communications professionals may work as Communications Advisors or Specialists, or Publications/Internet Advisors. These individuals provide important guidance, research, management, and support in the areas of corporate communications, public relations, and government relations. Some key activities include:

Education

The minimum educational requirement for communications personnel is graduation with a degree from a recognized university.

Classification: IS
Salary range

Computer Systems / Information Technology

CFIA CS/IT professionals plan, deliver, and maintain the information technology infrastructure services that underpin the agency's ability to function. Some key activities include:

Education

The minimum educational requirement is a secondary school diploma or approved alternatives.

Classification: CS
Salary range

Finance

CFIA Financial Analysts and Financial Services Officers work with financial planning, strategy, analysis, forecasting and reporting, financial management, and management control systems. They may also be involved in business modelling and integrated business processes, corporate data structures, and information systems. Some key activities include:

Finance personnel at the agency fall within the Financial Management Group (FI), which has 4 levels:

FI-01

The minimum educational requirement for employees at this level is successful completion of 2 years of a recognized post-secondary program with an acceptable specialization in accounting, finance, business administration, commerce or economics; or possession of a Government of Canada Financial Management Certificate.

FI-02 to FI-04

The minimum educational requirement for all levels higher than FI-01 is graduation with a degree from a recognized university with a specialization in accounting, finance, business administration, commerce or economics and experience related to positions in the Financial Administration (FI) Group; or eligibility for a recognized professional accounting designation (CPA, CA, CMA, CGA).

Classification: FI
Salary range

Human Resources

CFIA Human Resources (HR) professionals may work in staffing, classification, compensation, staff and labour relations, learning and development, policy, systems or human resources strategies, planning or programs (for example Employment Equity, Official Languages, Rewards and Recognition). Some key activities include:

Education

The minimum educational requirement for CFIA HR professionals is graduation with a degree from a recognized university with acceptable specialization in human resources management, labour or industrial relations, psychology, public or business administration, organizational development, education sciences, social sciences, sociology, or in any other field relevant to the work to be performed.

Classification: PE
Salary range

Policy Officer

CFIA Policy Officers support the work of the agency by playing an important role in policy studies and projects, analyzing issues, monitoring trends, and much more. Some key activities include:

Education

The minimum educational requirement for CFIA Policy Officers is graduation with a degree from a recognized university with acceptable specialization in economics, sociology, or statistics.

Classification: ES
Salary range

Statisticians

As a science-based organisation, the CFIA must be able to support its decisions with sound statistical data. Some key activities include:

Education

The minimum educational requirement for CFIA Statisticians is graduation with a degree from a recognized university with acceptable specialization in economics, sociology, or statistics.

Classification: ES
Salary range

Date modified: