Field Epidemiologist

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request special accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Candidates MUST CLEARLY INDICATE ON THEIR RESUME THE STREAM OR STREAMS FOR WHICH THEY ARE APPLYING.

Candidates must clearly demonstrate in THEIR SCREENING QUESTION RESPONSES and resume, how they meet the essential qualifications related to the required education and experience. Please note that you must provide concrete examples which illustrate how you meet each education and experience qualification, including the date range (in MONTHS and YEARS) that demonstrate where and when these qualifications were acquired. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information. Failure to provide the above information may result in your application being rejected from the process.

Proof of Canadian citizenship and educational credentials must be available upon request.

Work environment

The Canadian Field Epidemiology Program (CFEP) is now recruiting! If you are a skilled and experienced professional looking for a chance to be embedded at the front lines of public health - this opportunity is for you. When disease outbreaks or other threats emerge, CFEP Field Epidemiologists are on the scene to support the public health response across Canada.

In addition to providing training to field epidemiologists, CFEP provides an indispensable service to Canadians by building a dynamic and well-trained public health workforce that efficiently and effectively identifies and responds to routine and emergent public health issues across Canada. While learning to apply epidemiology to solve public health problems through this 2-year, on-the-job training and service program, CFEP field epidemiologists develop the skills required to be the disease detectives that are ready to respond to infectious and noninfectious disease outbreaks, strengthen surveillance and help public health organizations enhance their own disease prevention and health promotion programs.

Come join the CFEP!

Intent of the process

Although the immediate intent of this poster is to fill the position(s) for a specified period, applicants should be aware that a pool of partially qualified candidates will be established and this selection process may be used to staff similar positions at this group and level with various language requirements and security requirements, conditions of employment, various locations as well as various tenures (acting, assignment/secondment, deployment, term and/or indeterminate). As a result of the potential and possible use of the selection process and subsequent pool by hiring managers, we encourage all employees seeking this type of position/workstream and/or group and level to apply.

Positions to be filled: 6

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION:

Epidemiologist (EC-05) Stream

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in Economics, Sociology or Statistics*
AND
Graduation with a Master's degree or a PhD in epidemiology or in public health with an acceptable specialization in epidemiology** from a recognized post-secondary institution

NOTES REGARDING EDUCATION:
Candidates must have completed a Master’s degree or a PhD at the time of application. Applicants must provide the date on which the degree was conferred.

*Candidates must always have a degree. The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and may have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization. The specialization may also be obtained through an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

**For the public health Master’s/PhD degree specialization in epidemiology, candidates must have successfully completed two semesters of graduate-level epidemiological methods and one semester of graduate level biostatistics. Applicants must provide the following details on the relevant courses: course number, course date, number of credits, start & end dates, program and University name.

Candidates with non-Canadian educational credentials will be required to demonstrate or obtain Canadian equivalency for ALL degrees obtained outside of Canada if they are to be used for the purpose of this process.

Veterinary Epidemiologist (VM-02) Stream

A Graduate Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with an acceptable specialization in Epidemiology or Public Health*. The specialization may be obtained through an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

AND

Graduation from a recognized school of Veterinary Medicine, defined as: graduation from a veterinary school accredited or approved by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA); or graduation from another veterinary school and holding a Certificate of Qualification granted by the National Examining Board of the CVMA.

NOTES REGARDING EDUCATION:
* For the acceptable specialization, candidates must have successfully completed two semesters of graduate-level epidemiological methods and one semester of graduate level biostatistics. Applicants must provide the following details on the relevant courses: course number, course date, number of credits, start & end dates, program and University name.

Medical Doctor (MD-MOF-01) Stream

Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with an acceptable specialization in Epidemiology or Public Health. The specialization may be obtained through an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience. *

AND

Graduation with a degree from a recognized school of medicine

NOTES REGARDING EDUCATION:
* This can include completion of postgraduate training in and passing the Royal College certification examination in Public Health and Preventive Medicine (formerly Community Medicine); or successful completion of two semesters of graduate-level epidemiological methods and one semester of graduate level biostatistics. Applicants must provide the following details on the relevant courses: course number, course date, number of credits, start & end dates, program and University name.

Candidates with non-Canadian educational credentials will be required to demonstrate or obtain Canadian equivalency for ALL degrees obtained outside of Canada if they are to be used for the purpose of this process.

Degree equivalency

OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION:

Veterinary Epidemiologist (VM-02) Stream

Eligibility for membership in a Canadian veterinary medical association, defined as:
• current members of a Canadian veterinary medical association with a license recognized by the provincial/territorial licensing body; or
• non-member of Canadian veterinary medical associations and holding a Certificate of Qualification granted by the AVMA Council on Education.

This means possession of or eligibility for an unconditional general license that constitutes acceptable evidence of occupational competence and that is granted by an organization legally established by federal, provincial or territorial law as a certifying or licensing body.

Eligibility means that you have met all academic and occupational requirements with respect to degrees, examinations etc., without having to have obtained or maintained actual registration, certification or membership.

Eligibility for an unconditional general license as a Veterinarian also includes the mandatory requirement of successful completion of licensing examination of the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (NAVLE).

A copy of your degree, as well as proof of successful completion of the NAVLE examinations, is required. In circumstances where you do not have proof of completion of the NAVLE examinations, PHAC will require certification from the appropriate provincial licensing body that you are eligible for licensing by the association.

If you were formerly appointed to the VM Group, then retired or resigned, and were rehired, and have previously been deemed to meet the occupational certification requirement, you are still deemed to meet this minimum requirement when rehired (grandparent-protected).

Medical Doctor (MD-MOF-01) Stream

Must hold an independent license to practice medicine in a province or territory of Canada as determined by a provincial or territorial College of Physicians and Surgeons, upon completion of the hiring process.

EXPERIENCE:

Epidemiologist (EC-05) Stream and Veterinary Epidemiologist (VM-02) Stream

Minimum of 24 cumulative months* of recent public health or epidemiology experience**


NOTES REGARDING EXPERIENCE:
* 24 cumulative months is defined as having the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with full time performance of the duties over the cumulative time period identified. Applicants must provide start/end dates, description of employment and indicate if the period of employment is full time or part time and provide hours/week.
** Recent public health or epidemiology experience is defined as experience gained in the past 5 years in the analysis and interpretation of health data in the context of public health practice, which may include: surveillance related activities, investigation of public health issues, program development, implementation, evaluation, or health promotion. The experience can be obtained through employment in an academic program, a clinical setting or a public health organization or government department/agency. Experience gained through a graduate degree program practica/research or volunteer work is not acceptable.

Medical Doctor (MD-MOF-01) Stream

Minimum of 12 cumulative months* of recent public health or epidemiology experience**

NOTES REGARDING EXPERIENCE:
* 12 cumulative months is defined as having the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with full time performance of the duties over the cumulative time period identified. Applicants must provide start/end dates, description of employment and indicate if the period of employment is full time or part time and provide hours/week. Failure to provide these details as specified will result in the rejection of your application.


** Recent public health or epidemiology experience is defined as experience gained in the past 5 years in the analysis and interpretation of health data in the context of public health practice, which may include: surveillance related activities, investigation of public health issues, program development, implementation, evaluation, or health promotion. The experience can be obtained through employment in an academic program, a clinical setting or a public health organization or government department/agency. Experience gained through a graduate degree program practica/research or volunteer work is not acceptable.

Ability to follow instructions

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

Various language requirements
• Bilingual Imperative CCC/CCC
• Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC
• Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB
• English Essential

Information on language requirements

COMMON FOR ALL STREAMS

Knowledge of the Canadian public health system and the Federal, Provincial/Territorial and local roles and responsibilities
Knowledge of public health concepts
Knowledge of analytic study design and implementation
Knowledge of surveillance and its application in public health

Ability to apply principles and methods of epidemiology
Ability to analyze, synthesize, and interpret public health information
Ability to clean, manipulate, and prepare health data
Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
Ability to work under pressure
Ability to follow instructions*
Ability to communicate effectively orally
Ability to communicate effectively in writing

*this criteria WILL be assessed at the screening stage of the process

Effective interpersonal skills
Initiative
Judgement
Leadership

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Willingness and ability to relocate to another geographic location within Canada for the duration of the program
Willingness and ability to travel within Canada on short notice
Willingness and ability to be mobilised domestically (government travel) to provide epidemiological assistance during public health events, as well as to travel on short notice for long periods of time

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the targeted groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

A written examination may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent.

For existing public service employees, include your substantive group and level, your Personal Record Identifier (PRI) and your employment status on your resume and/or application form.

An assignment/secondment or an acting appointment is a temporary resourcing option. The approval of your substantive supervisor may/will be required before an offer can be made.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

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.