Two Streams: 1-Environmental Epidemiologist / 2-Environmental Health Student - Research Affiliate Program

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

Stream 1: Environmental Epidemiologist
Stream 2: Environmental Health Student

Health Canada is committed to increasing representation of Black employees and other racialized groups, Indigenous People, women and persons with disabilities. Health Canada would like its workforce to be reflective of the population it serves. Therefore, we encourage candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a member of one of these groups.

Give yourself the best chance to succeed! As the objective of this process is to assess qualifications needed for the position(s) to be staffed, let us know if you have a functional limitation/ disability, which may affect your performance. For example, contact us if you need assistance in completing and submitting your application. Should you then proceed to the next assessment stage, such as an exam or interview, we will send you an e-mail with additional information on the assessment format so that you can determine if you may require an accommodation (such as a different test format, an adaptive technology, or additional time). Assessment accommodations are designed to remove the obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so candidates with functional limitations can fully demonstrate their abilities.

You may also review jobs open to the public through INFOTEL at 1-800-645-5605. The INFOTEL number for persons using a TTY/TDD is 1-800-532-9397.

Health Canada welcomes applications from Veterans. We recognize your contribution to Canadians and would like to offer you the opportunity to continue your career in an environment where multi-talented employees with diverse skills are appreciated and supported.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency are dedicated to building an inclusive workforce that comprises individuals who have an array of identities, abilities, background, culture, skills, perspectives, and experiences that are representative of Canada’s current and evolving population. We are passionate about fostering a workplace where all people feel welcome, can reach their full potential, and contribute their unique perspectives and experience to the success of the team.

BRING YOUR WHOLE SELF TO WORK
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex (including gender identity and/or expression), national origin, sexual orientation, civil union or relationship status, disability, age, parental status, military service, or other status protected under federal law.

***VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: It is the responsibility of the candidate to clearly outline that they meet each of the screening criteria (i.e., Education and Experience Qualifications, both Essential and Assets) by RESPONDING TO THE SCREENING QUESTIONS IN THE ONLINE APPLICATION. Please note that it is not sufficient to only state that the requirement is met or to provide a listing of current responsibilities, rather, the candidate must provide concrete examples that illustrate how they meet the requirement. Lack of EXAMPLES and DETAILS may result in your application being rejected, as the Assessment Board will have insufficient information to determine whether or not you meet the qualifications. Resumes may be used as a secondary source to validate the qualifications described; comments such as "refer to my attached resume" will not be accepted and may result in your application being rejected.

This inclusive staffing process is open to anyone who might be interested. However, in support of achieving a diversified workforce and our employment equity goals, qualified candidates who self-declare in a staffing process as members of Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, women and/or visible minorities may be selected for appointment first to fulfill organizational needs. This organizational need may be invoked at any stage of the selection process.

**PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR RESPONSES TO THE PRE-SCREENING QUESTIONS WILL BE USED TO EVALUATE YOUR ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY IN WRITING.

Work environment

Are you interested in working at a cutting-edge organization that values both your physical and psychological health and wellness, provides rich career development opportunities and rewards innovation? Health Canada has been recognized as one of the Top Employers for Young People for five years running and as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the past ten years! Don’t miss your opportunity to not only enjoy the unparalleled benefits of the public service, but to get so much more on our award-winning team!

The Population Studies Division of the Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada applies epidemiological and biostatistical methods to generate knowledge of the potential adverse health effects of environmental chemical exposures. The Division conducts research that contributes to evidence-based decisions on key areas such as exposure assessment, vulnerable populations and health impacts. In addition to conducting research, scientists and professionals support the development of policies, standards, and guidelines for health protection, and contribute to the analysis of current and emerging risks to health.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "in 2000 words (maximum). Please outline (1) your suitability for this position (2) your research interests and (3) your expected date of completion of your graduate degree. Note that this letter will be used to evaluate your ability to communicate effectively in writing. Please include your current academic supervisor as one of your references."

Contact information for 2 references.

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

EDUCATION
Stream 1: Environmental Epidemiologist
• The Student must be currently enrolled in a Masters or Doctoral program at a recognized academic institution with a specialization in epidemiology. Students not currently enrolled in an epidemiology program but with sufficient* graduate-level epidemiology training may be considered.
* Sufficient means at least 4 completed graduate level courses in epidemiology and/or biostatistics.

Stream 2: Environmental Health Student
• The student must be currently enrolled in a Masters or Doctoral program at a recognized academic institution in environmental health or toxicology. Students not currently enrolled in an environmental health or toxicology program but with sufficient* graduate-level environmental health and/or toxicology training may be considered.
* Sufficient means at least 4 completed graduate level courses in environmental health and/or toxicology

Degree equivalency

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

EXPERIENCE
Stream 1: Environmental Epidemiologist
• Experience conducting statistical analysis of research data using SAS or R, including multivariable logistic or linear regression modelling.
• Experience in reproductive or environmental epidemiology.
• Experience in data management, including merging large datasets, data cleaning, and creating derived variables

Applicable to all streams:
• Experience in analyzing, reviewing and interpreting scientific data, literature and/or information.
• Experience in writing and summarizing scientific data and information
• Experience in conducting literature searches and critically reviewing published papers

KNOWLEDGE
Stream 1: Environmental Epidemiologist
• Knowledge of principles of epidemiology and biostatistics

Stream 2: Environmental Health Student
• Knowledge of environmental chemicals, sources and routes of exposure, and known or suspected health effects.

ABILITIES AND PERSONAL SUITABILITY
Applicable to all streams:
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing*
• Ability to communicate effectively orally
* Written communication will be assessed throughout the candidate’s applications.

• Respectful of Diversity
• Well organized**
• Teamwork
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
**Well organized will be assessed throughout the answers in the application.

NOTE: In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through the studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.

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

ASSETS
KNOWLEDGE
Stream 1: Environmental Epidemiologist
• Knowledge of perinatal epidemiology and / or common pregnancy complications.
• Knowledge of environmental chemicals, sources and routes of exposure, and known or suspected health effects.

Stream 2: Environmental Health Student
• Knowledge of human biomonitoring

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - NOTE: Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment, and therefore will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-relevant documents.

All employees of the core public administration are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status unless accommodated based on a medical contraindication, religion, or another prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

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

As per the 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 (temporary), 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.

Verification of authorization that your academic supervisor or department head will allow you to conduct research work for Health Canada (to be assessed at the interview stage).

Preference

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

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