Mathematical Statistician - Post-Secondary Recruitment

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If you have a limitation that may impact your performance during an assessment, such as a test or interview, you may require an accommodation. Assessment accommodations are designed to remove the obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so candidates with limitations can fully demonstrate their abilities.

To request an assessment accommodation or if you have questions, including the physical environment of the exam room, please contact us as soon as possible at

Each request will be individually reviewed. You will be asked to provide information regarding your limitations. If needed, professional documentation could be requested to determine the appropriate accommodation measures. For more information about assessment accommodation, please visit our website at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/recruitment/graduates/post-secondary-recruitment/exams-and-assessment-accommodation.html

Duties

As a mathematical statistician, you will design, implement and evaluate survey and data analysis methods, typically in cooperation with multidisciplinary project teams. You may also work on research projects in various areas related to statistical methods.

As a new MA employee, you will work closely with a more experienced MA. You will gain valuable experience that will enhance your professional skills and will allow you to advance to senior-level positions.

Throughout your career, you will be given a variety of opportunities for training and development. Your training could include courses covering topics such as advanced statistical methods, survey methodology, informatics, communication and management.

Work environment

Mathematical Statisticians (MAs) are responsible for survey methodology and related research activities. Their work is crucial to Statistics Canada. The quality of survey outputs and the costs of survey operations are heavily dependent on the survey methodology used.

Statistics Canada places great importance on the well-being of its employees and has numerous programs and facilities designed for the benefit of its employees. Health and safety, respect and fairness, flexible work arrangements, a sense of belonging and recognition and workplace wellness are at the heart of our organizational culture.

Intent of the process

The pool of qualified persons resulting from this process will be used to staff both permanent and temporary positions within Statistics Canada. There will be approximately 15 to 25 permanent positions to staff from this pool.

Permanent MA-02 appointments resulting from this process will be considered part of Statistics Canada's MA Recruitment and Development Program. Individuals will be hired at the MA-02 level and will be promoted to the MA-03 level provided they meet the qualifications and conditions of employment for the MA-03 level.

Positions to be filled: 15

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses that you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION:

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, by September 30, 2018, with specialization in:

1) mathematics, statistics or operational research
or
2) one of the physical, life or social sciences, combined with an acceptable number of courses* (normally 20 one-term courses/ approximately 60 credits) in mathematics, statistics or operational research at the level of a recognized post-secondary institution, of which at least 5 one-term courses (approximately 15 credits) must be in statistics.

* The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization.

Degree equivalency

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English or French

Information on language requirements

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

Application of mathematical or statistical theories and techniques*;
Application of mathematical, statistical or survey methods and concepts*.

*This qualification may include but is not limited to knowledge of probability theory, mathematical statistics, data analysis, sampling theory and survey methodology.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

Planning and organizing for results;
Innovative thinking.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Demonstrating integrity and respect;
Thinking things through;
Working effectively with others;
Showing initiative and being action-oriented.

ABILITIES:

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Competencies (technical, functional and core) and abilities will be assessed throughout the process.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

ASSET EXPERIENCES:

Experience* in survey methodology or mathematical statistics;
Experience* with statistical packages or programming languages, such as SAS, R and Matlab.

*Experience can be gained through, among others, student work, volunteer activities or extra-curricular activities.

Please note that these criteria do not need to be met in order to be appointed to a position. Notwithstanding, meeting these criteria may be desirable and may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed.

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - This factor is not used at the screening stage. The hiring organization is responsible for the security clearance process.

Tests

Candidates must successfully write the Knowledge and Ability Test for Mathematical Statisticians (MST), even if they have already passed this exam during a previous campaign.

Among candidates who successfully pass this test, interviews may be restricted to candidates with the highest scores.

The MST testing session will be held on November 2nd, 2017 at 18:30 local time.

The test will be administered in different locations across Canada.

The travel expenses for candidates attending the MST test will not be reimbursed.

You must keep your scheduled assessment date except under the following circumstances:
- Illness (a medical certificate will be required)
- Emergency Circumstances (must be verifiable)
- Other (will be dealt with on a case by case basis)

Please contact us as soon as possible at if you think you may require accommodation during the selection process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Other information

E-mail correspondence will be used as the main method of communication for this selection process. Candidates who do not wish to receive their results by e-mail must contact to inform them of their preferred method of communication. Please note that the onus is on the candidates to provide valid contact information and to update it, as required.

Management may use top-down consideration of scores and cut-off scores at various steps in the process to determine the number of candidates who will be further considered in the process. Selection decisions may be based on the level, breadth or degree of qualifications achieved in one or more qualifications; for example, preference may be given to the candidate who has scored highest on a specific qualification or combination of qualifications. Candidates cannot apply results from previous MA recruitment campaigns towards the current campaign.

Candidates from outside the public service may be required to pay for travel and relocation costs associated with this selection process.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.