Mathematical Statistician

Important messages

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Assessment accommodation

The Government of Canada is committed to fostering a public service culture grounded in diversity, inclusiveness and accessibility: an inclusive workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated and respected, and where each person’s talents and strengths are fully developed and utilized.

Creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued begins with self-declaration. Count yourself in and self-declare by identifying to which employment equity group(s) you belong to.

Duties

Mathematical Statisticians (MA) apply, adapt and develop mathematical, statistical or survey methods to practical problems. They explore and adopt sophisticated methods to integrate and transform alternate data sources into statistical information to support evidence-based policy decision making. Their work is crucial to Statistics Canada. The quality of data outputs and the costs of operations are heavily dependent on the methodology used.

Your main duties will include the design, implementation and evaluation of statistical methods related to the production of official statistics, typically in cooperation with multidisciplinary project teams. This could include work on research projects in various areas related to survey methodology, record linkage or big data. You could also be involved in projects related to the combination of classic and leading edge statistical methods, including experimentation with machine learning, artificial intelligence techniques, non-probabilistic sampling, micro simulation and modeled/synthetic data.

As a new MA employee, you will work closely with a more experienced MA which will allow you to gain valuable experience that will enhance your professional skills. Throughout your career, you will be able to develop your technical, analytical and managerial skills in a stimulating and professional environment.

Work environment

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.

Due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation, the selected candidates will work remotely within Canada until further notice. Should the decision be made for Statistics Canada employees to return to the workplace, it is expected that some selected candidates work at the traditional workplace in Ottawa.

Intent of the process

The pool of qualified candidates resulting from this process will be used to staff both permanent and temporary positions within Statistics Canada. There will be approximately 20 positions to staff from this pool.

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: 20

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

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, 2022, 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.

Note: *Degree: Unless it is otherwise specified (e.g., Master’s degree), the term “degree” refers to a baccalaureate as established by educational authorities.

** 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

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

ASSET EXPERIENCES:

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

Note: *The experiences can be gained through, among others, student work, volunteer activities or extra-curricular activities.

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

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*.

Note: *These qualifications may include but are not limited to knowledge of probability theory, mathematical statistics, data analysis, sampling theory and survey methodology.

COMPETENCIES:

- Demonstrating integrity and respect
- Thinking things through
- Working effectively with others
- Showing initiative and being action-oriented
- Effective written communication

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

On October 6, 2021, the Government of Canada announced details of its plans to require vaccination across the federal public service.

As per the new Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration Including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, federal public servants in the Core Public Administration and members of the RCMP must attest to their vaccination status. The requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated applies whether they are teleworking, working remotely or working on-site. This is a condition of employment and it applies to indeterminate (permanent), determinate (term), casual, and student hiring. Should you reach the point in the selection process where it is necessary to verify terms and conditions of employment then the hiring manager or a human resources representative will contact you in order to complete an attestation.

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

Candidates must successfully write the Technical Competency Exam for Mathematical Statisticians at Statistics Canada. The exam will be held online and will be given at a date to be determined, in mid-to-late February. More information will be provided to candidates prior to the exam date. Candidates cannot apply results from previous MA recruitment campaigns towards the current campaign.

Among candidates who successfully pass this test, interviews may be restricted to candidates with the highest scores. Interviews will be administered beginning in late March or early April.

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.

You must write the test during the scheduled assessment period 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)

E-mail correspondence will be used as the main method of communication for this selection process. Please note that the onus is on the candidates to provide valid contact information and to update it, as required.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, 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.