Senior Methodologist

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

TRACK RECORD

A track record is an assessment instrument that asks you to describe your work-related accomplishments in terms of observable behaviors exhibited on the job. The instrument consists of a structured template for you to record descriptions of situations where you demonstrated behaviours associated with each qualification. Candidates must clearly demonstrate how they meet each of the essential qualifications: education and experience. For each qualification, you will be asked to provide one or more examples from your own experience that you feel demonstrates your proficiency in each qualification. Your example must also reflect your typical work performance that you demonstrate on an ongoing or regular basis. The name and contact information of a reference who can confirm your example must be included.

Candidates must provide sufficient details in their track record to demonstrate:
1) that they possess the essential qualifications (e.g. possess the experience); AND
2) that the quality of their work demonstrates sufficient mastery of that essential qualification to suggest readiness for the position to be staffed.

Each essential qualification will be assessed taking into consideration both the candidates’ track record (self-evaluation) as well as the references provided by the candidates’ manager.

Candidates selected for a potential opportunity could be further assessed according to the position requirements.

Candidates who apply may be considered for other staffing opportunities.

We encourage Permanent Residents and non-Canadians (a work permit will be required) to apply as well.

NOTE: The section below entitled "Other information (notes)" has pertinent information
that could be useful to candidates.

Duties

MA-04 duties

• perform independent statistical methodology work on projects
• represent their division on project teams and advise partners within and outside Statistics Canada
• expertise may be fostered in an area related to statistical methodology, such as the analysis of complex survey data, small area estimation, statistical modelling, calibration, quality assurance and statistical quality control, record linkage, disclosure control, sampling, estimation, or editing and imputation.
• some MA-04s perform in-depth work or research into methods and systems underlying Statistics Canada projects and programs. They act as resource persons for others in the Agency in their areas of specialization.

MA-05 duties

• plan, design and develop statistical methodology for various partners within and outside Statistics Canada
• plan, design, manage and deliver a wide variety of consultations and evaluation projects
• manage subordinate staff and assist in their development
• contribute to establishing and updating the Agency’s standards as they apply to methodological design
• conduct research and development projects associated with new methods and systems in order to improve Statistics Canada’s projects and programs
• plan and monitor the progress of project developments, especially detailed evaluation studies, complex data collection and processing systems, and research designed to develop tools and standards for broader methodological application

Work environment

Statistics Canada is recognized internationally as one of the best National Statistical Offices because of the high quality statistics we produce as well as the scientific rigour we apply in the production of statistics. A culture of innovation is also at the heart of excellence at the Agency. Statistics Canada is also well known for its comprehensive and well-developed set of human resources processes, including recruitment, development, training, career progression, work-life balance, as well as a high level of integrity and respect for people.

To help Canadians, businesses and public organizations make evidence-based decisions and stay relevant, Statistics Canada is in the process of modernizing our programs, practices and methods. This modernization agenda is focusing on user-centric service delivery, leading edge methods and data integration, statistical capacity building and leadership, sharing and collaboration, and a modern and flexible workplace.

To a large extent, mathematical statisticians (MAs) are the ones who ensure that the programs of the Agency are based on the scientific approach and their services are critical to the ongoing modernization and development of leading-edge statistical methods within the Agency.

The primary role of the mathematical statistician (MA) is to provide advice and statistical solutions for the production of high quality outputs that are based on surveys, censuses, administrative and other data sources, or a combination of them.

The mathematical statistician is responsible for providing services for designing, implementing and evaluating statistical methods, mainly in the following areas: creation and maintenance of statistical registers and survey frames, sample design, questionnaire design, methods for collecting, editing and imputing data from multiple sources, treatment of non-response, data integration, estimation of parameters of interest and their variances, data analysis, measurement of non-sampling errors, protection of confidentiality, along with quality control/assurance and time series analysis.

The work of a mathematical statistician is highly diversified and requires creativity and adaptability. Individual mathematical statisticians usually work on several activities at the same time. Each is a new challenge; ready-made solutions in the literature can rarely be directly applied. To design and implement effective, scientifically sound methodology, a mathematical statistician must always maintain a good balance of skills in analytical and empirical research and operational work.

Working in teams and in collaboration with partners with other areas of expertise (specific subject matters, Information Technology, statistical infrastructure, economists, sociologists, etc.) is part of the day-to-day business. As a provider of advice and guidance on statistical methods, promoting where methodological expertise can be used to help to improve the programs of the Agency is also an important aspect of the job.

Intent of the process

This is a generic process with the intent of establishing a list of referred candidates to staff positions at the MA-04 and MA-05 levels according to business need. Once partially qualified, partially qualified candidates will remain in the pool until they have been appointed indeterminately or until the list has expired. The list will be valid for a minimum of one year.

A referral list of candidates will be established and could be used to staff similar positions with tenures and/or security clearances at Statistics Canada and in other federal departments.

All candidates will be assessed using a track record and reference checks. The Public Service performance assessment (PSPA) will be used as well to assess the employees of the Public Service. Other tools, such as a written exam or interview, may be used.

Positions to be filled: 15

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

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 with specialization in mathematics, statistics or operational research or with specialization in one of the physical, life or social sciences combined with an acceptable number of courses in mathematics, statistics or operational research at the level of a recognized post-secondary institution.

Notes:

1.An acceptable number of courses is normally 10 full courses or approximately 60 credits

2.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)

Various language requirements
MA-04: Bilingual – non-imperative (BBB/BBB)
MA-05: Bilingual - imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

EXPERIENCE

MA-04 and MA-05

EXP1: Recent* experience being responsible for the development, implementation or evaluation of statistical methods or research in statistical methods.

*Recent experience is defined as experience normally acquired over the last five years

EXP2: Recent* experience delivering presentations or articles or reports on statistical methods to peers, partners or at conferences.

* Recent experience is defined as experience normally acquired over the last five years.

MA-05

EXP3: Recent* and significant** experience being responsible for the development, implementation or evaluation of statistical methods or research in statistical methods.

*Recent experience is defined as experience normally acquired over the last five years

** Significant experience will be evaluated by taking into account the quantity, complexity and diversity of the tasks, the degree of independence demonstrated, and the impact of the decisions. Normally, this is associated with the performance of such duties for approximately 2 years.

Note:

In demonstrating EXP 3, the candidate can refer to the justification provided under EXP1 and explain how that experience was also significant.

EXP4: Experience in the supervision of staff engaged in the development and application of statistical methods.

EXP5: Recent* experience in the management of a complex*** project or component of a project.

* Recent experience is defined as experience normally acquired over the last five years.

***Complex project or component of a project will be evaluated by taking into account the scope, duration, budget, impact and the level of responsibility

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES

MA-04 and MA-05

C1 - Demonstrating integrity and respect
C2 - Thinking things through
C3 - Working effectively with others
C4 - Showing initiative and being action-oriented

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

MA-04 and MA-05

C5 - Planning and organizing for results
C6 - Innovative thinking

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

MA-04 and MA-05

C7 - Application of mathematical or statistical theories and techniques
C8 - Application of mathematical, statistical or survey methods and concepts

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

ASSET EDUCATION

AED: At least 5 one-term courses (approximately 15 credits) in statistics at the level of a recognized post-secondary institution

Degree equivalency

ASSET EXPERIENCE

Experience being responsible for the development, implementation or evaluation of statistical methods or research in statistical methods in one or many of the following areas:

a) Record linkage
b) Small area estimation
c) Statistical modelling
d) Disclosure control
e) Artificial intelligence or machine learning
f) Quality assurance or Total quality management
g) Statistical inference when multiple data sources are combined (e.g., survey, census, administrative or alternative sources)
h) Calibration estimation
i) Complex sampling design
j) Variance estimation of complex survey estimators
k) Treatment of non-response

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

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

Additional information:

All candidates have to submit a copy of their diploma or any pertinent documentation that demonstrate that they possess the essential qualification related to the education by November 12, 2018 to .

Candidates who are employees of the Public Service of Canada are required to submit their 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 year-end results of their Public Service Performance Agreement (PSPA) to by the same due date.

Only those who have obtained an achievement level of "succeeded" or higher for the core competencies will be considered for this selection process.

Other information

•Guidelines that could help you prepare your track record:

Ensure your response addresses the qualification being assessed.
Provide concrete, specific examples of behaviours that illustrate the required qualification.
Choose examples with sufficient complexity, impact, and degree of difficulty to allow you to illustrate the extent to which you demonstrated the qualification.
Focus on what you did, and make clear what your role was, apart from others. Avoid phrases such as “we decided to”, “we organized a…”. When discussing what others did, do so only as part of the context in which you took action. For example, “I organized a…”.
Describe the example in the past tense. This will ensure that you are providing concrete examples, rather than general statements.
Do not use acronyms, as assessors may not be familiar with them.
Please be sure to provide clear examples with approximately 2-3 paragraphs
Use action verbs.
You are invited to complete the track record in the official language of your choice.

•Supervisors and managers will not assist employees with the completion of their track record, as such help might be perceived as favoritism and fraud.

•Candidates could use the same example for more than one qualification as long as the example provided answers the questions and illustrates the qualifications evaluated.

•You can use example from any work experience as long as the examples provided are relevant to the qualifications being assessed.

•You must provide the names of your previous and current supervisor or manager as references.

Please provide us with the contact information of the person that will be able to confirm each of the experiences that you possess.

Candidates that meet the requirements related to the education and experience will have to demonstrate their technical competencies through a written evaluation. Candidates that have met the technical competencies in a previous selection process could be exempt from the evaluation. Candidates that wish to request such an exemption are required to provide the selection process number where the technical competencies have been assessed.

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.