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 specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

PLEASE NOTE: For this selection process, our intention is to communicate with applicants by e-mail for screening/assessment purposes (including issuing screening results, and sending invitations for written tests and interviews).

Applicants who apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid e-mail address and make sure this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users.

You will be required to show how you demonstrate the essential qualifications (i.e. Education and Experience) for the initial screening through your resume and in answering online screening questions. It is NOT sufficient to only state that the qualifications are met or to provide a listing of current or past responsibilities. Rather you must clearly demonstrate HOW, WHEN, and WHERE the qualification was met through substantiation by examples. Information on your described skills, experience, etc. provided in screening questions should be supported by your resume. Failure to provide the above information in the format required may result in your application being rejected from the process.

Duties

Seeking a motivated, team player to join a dynamic health research unit within the Department of Defence. The Research and Analysis unit is a clinical epidemiologic research unit embedded within the Directorate of Mental Health in the Canadian Armed Forces Health Services Group, headquartered at The Carling Campus in Ottawa. The Directorate is strategically responsible for all programs and policies pertaining to the delivery of clinical mental health services across the CAF network of mental health clinics.

Our section conducts health services, translational and clinical epidemiologic research in support of clinical mental health care delivery. This work involves the use of big data and the conduct of original data collection for research projects. The job being staffed will be required to maintain and conduct analyses on a large health research data warehouse. Specifically this involves cleaning and linking various electronic medical record and administrative data records on a weekly basis and conducting advanced statistical analysis. Such analysis can include: logistic regression, Poisson Regression or survival analysis routinely. We are expanding our tools to integrate machine learning algorithms as well. The working language of our unit is SAS, exclusively. Anyone working here must be or become SAS proficient. The job involves extensive writing statistical code.

Intent of the process

There is a need to staff one indeterminate position. A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Graduation with a Master’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization* in economics, sociology or statistics.

*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.

Degree equivalency

E1: Experience in the analysis of health data from epidemiological studies

E2: Experience in the use of advanced methods of data analyses.

E3: Experience in designing or evaluating epidemiological studies

E4: Experience in performing record linkages of health records, hospital discharge data, or similarly complex administrative data.

E5: Experience using SAS, Stata or R programming language to clean, merge, cross-validate, and restructure data from multiple databases.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

K1: Knowledge of epidemiological methods (including complex sampling, biostatistics, or advanced data analysis)

K2: Knowledge of statistical software needed to perform advanced data analyses

A1: Ability to use statistical software to analyze data from complex health-related datasets

A2: Ability to critically assess scientific literature

A3: Ability to communicate effectively orally

A4: Ability to communicate effectively in writing

PS1: Effective interpersonal relationships

PS2: Judgment

PS3: Initiative

PS4: Team player

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

A Master’s or PhD from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in epidemiology, biostatistics, health administration, mathematics or other acceptable health or research-related field

Degree equivalency

AE1: Experience in public health in Canada or another country

AE2: Experience in using machine learning algorithms

AE3: Experience authoring peer-reviewed publications

AE4: Experience in health services, mental health-related research, occupational health, injury surveillance, or prevention research

AE5: Experience in the analysis of population-based health surveys using complex samples

Requirement to travel within and outside of Canada as required

Requirement to work overtime

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 designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A test may be administered.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) of their choice.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

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