Epidemiologist / Senior 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

📢 How does this work?

Step 1: Read the entire advertisement. Want to join our team? Let us know you’re interested! Click “Apply Online”

Step 2: Tell us about yourself! Attach your resume and answer the screening questions in the online application.

↪ Please provide complete and thorough details of your education and experience. "See resume" responses will not be accepted;
↪ Do not assume that the screening board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history. You must be specific and provide concrete examples/details for each experience element, as applications will be screened only on the information provided;
↪ Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being screened out of the process.

Step 3: We will carefully review all of your qualifications. If your talent matches one of our immediate or upcoming opportunities we may contact you for further information or assessment.

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. In order to self-declare, please ensure to indicate this by checking off the appropriate box within the online application as part of the Employment Equity section.

Work environment

The Department of National Defence (DND) is one of the largest federal government employers, offering over 70 types of civilian career opportunities. DND’s role is to provide services and support to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in their operations and missions at home and abroad. The civilian workforce is an essential part of the Defence Team. Your knowledge and expertise contribute to the overall mission. In this regard, the department fosters a work environment where you have opportunities to learn, to develop your talents, to progress in your career and have job satisfaction over the long-term.

What do we offer?

The Epidemiology Section of the Directorate of Force Health Protection within Canadian Forces Health Services Headquarters is hiring Epidemiologists who will use a Women and Diversity Health Lens in their work. The Epidemiology Section is a team of highly skilled scientists, epidemiologists, and public health professionals working with a variety of surveillance and research topics and tools including large population health surveys and linked databases. The Women and Diversity Health Initiative supports the Canadian Forces Health Services in its aim to be more responsive to women and gender diverse (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirited (LGBTQ2+) and black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC)) military personnel. This is accomplished by focusing on four lines of effort, that is, Delivery of Domestic and Deployed Care; Health Promotion and Prevention; Quality and Performance; and Research & Engagement.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to fill four (4) indeterminate positions with the Directorate of Force Health Protection (DFHP) on an indeterminate (permanent) basis in Ottawa, Ontario. These positions are currently hybrid. Some in office presence will be required at 3500 Carling Ave, Nepean, ON K2H 8G2.

As a result of this process, a pool of candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various employment tenures, language profiles, security requirements and conditions of employment.

Positions to be filled: 4

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

ED1. Graduation with a Master’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, or other acceptable health and research-related discipline.

Degree equivalency

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

EXPERIENCE

EC-05 Only (Epidemiologist):
EX1. Experience in the design of epidemiologic studies, and in the analysis of health data from epidemiological studies.

EX2. Experience in the use of advanced methods of statistical data analyses.

EX3. Experience using statistical software such as SAS, Stata or R. This may include programming to perform advanced longitudinal statistical data analyses as well as cleaning, merging, cross validating and restructuring data from multiple databases.


EC-07 Only (Senior Epidemiologist):
EX4. Experience in leading the design of epidemiologic studies, and in the analysis of health data from epidemiological studies.

EX5. Experience in the coordination and management of health surveillance programs or large-scale epidemiologic studies.

EX6. Experience in providing advice, recommendations and briefings, orally and in writing, to senior leadership*.

EX7. Experience in establishing and maintaining working relationships with partners. This may include government departments (provincial, territorial, federal, municipal, etc.) and agencies.

Definitions:
*Senior Leadership is defined as above manager level.

KNOWLEDGE:

K1. Knowledge of design of epidemiologic studies, public health surveillance and analysis of health data.

EC-05 Only (Epidemiologist):
K2. Knowledge of statistical software needed to perform advanced statistical data analyses.

EC-07 Only (Senior Epidemiologist):
K3. Knowledge of statistical software needed to perform statistical data analyses

COMPETENCIES:

C1. Demonstrating integrity and respect
C2. Thinking things through
C3. Working effectively with others
C4. Show initiative and being action-oriented
C5. Communication*

*Being able to communicate effectively is a skill that allows you to understand and be understood by others. These can include but are not limited to effectively communicating ideas to others, actively listening in conversations, giving and receiving critical feedback and speaking in front of groups.

ABILITIES:

A1. Ability to critically assess the scientific literature.
A2. Ability to analyse, interpret, and synthesize public health information.
A3. Ability to communicate epidemiology concepts effectively orally.
A4. Ability to communicate epidemiology concepts effectively in writing.
A5. Ability to prioritize tasks in order to meet deadlines

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

ASSET EDUCATION:

AED1: A PhD from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, or other acceptable health and research-related discipline.

Degree equivalency

ASSET EXPERIENCE:

AEX1. Experience with analysing clinical data (including ICD-codes)

AEX2. Experience in public health in Canada or another country

AEX3. Experience authoring peer-reviewed publications

AEX4: Experience in performing record linkages of health records, hospital discharge data, or similarly complex administrative data

AEX5. Experience working with a military population or in military health research.

AEX6. Experience with qualitative or mixed methods research

AEX7. Experience with data visualization

AEX8. Experience with health research focusing on women, and those with diverse identity factors.

EC-05 Only (Epidemiologist):
AEX9. Experience in the coordination and management of health surveillance programs or large-scale epidemiologic studies

AEX10. Experience in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with key stakeholders, including other government departments and agencies.

AEX11. Experience in the analysis of population-based health surveys using complex samples

EC-07 Only (Senior Epidemiologist):
AE12. Experience using statistical software such as SAS, Stata or R. This may include programming to perform advanced longitudinal statistical data analyses as well as cleaning, merging, cross validating and restructuring data from multiple databases.

AE13. Experience using complex epidemiological methods (including complex sampling, biostatistics, or advanced data analysis)

AE14. Experience in supervision or management including developing work objectives, timelines, defining expected results and project plans, and providing feedback.

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

Information on employment equity

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS

↪ The Department of National Defence is committed to providing an environment where justice, fairness and the elimination of barriers helps build a skilled, diverse and representative workforce reflective of Canada. We welcome diversity in all its forms, promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply. Please note that preference for hiring will first be given to candidates who are members of the above mentioned designated groups.

In support of Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE) initiative #24, consideration may be given to the spouses or common-law partners of CAF members.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

OR1. Requirement to travel within and outside of Canada as required
OR2. Requirement to work overtime
OR3. Willing and able work in a hybrid model workplace.

Managers may establish operational requirements specific to the position being staffed. These requirements will be communicated to the candidates considered for that specific appointment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Security Clearance Level: Reliability status
Candidates must meet and maintain the conditions of employment throughout their employment.

Depending on the position to be staffed, other conditions of employment may apply.

Managers may establish other conditions of employment specific to the position being staffed. These conditions will be communicated to the candidates considered for that specific appointment.

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

If there are limitations or special circumstances preventing you from submitting your application via the PSRS online portal, you must contact us and receive approval to apply via an alternate means PRIOR to the closing date.

▶ Depending on the position being staffed:
↪Additional qualifications may be added and deemed as either essential or asset
↪Varying degrees of breadth and depth of experience may be deemed essential
↪Asset qualifications may be invoked as essential qualifications
↪You may be contacted and asked to submit information or be further assessed

▶ Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

▶ A variety of assessment tools may be used.
↪ Please note that your overall conduct and communications, including email correspondence, throughout the entire process may be used in the assessment of qualifications and competencies.

▶ Top down selection may be used during any stage of the selection process.

▶ All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the applicants.

▶ Our organization will only accept on-line applications for this opportunity. Please click “Apply online” to submit your application. Should you have a disability or an exceptional circumstance that requires an alternative application method, please contact us for guidance.

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

▶ The term “Aboriginal” is used within this job advertisement as it relates to the Employment Equity Act and other legislative frameworks. The term “Indigenous” is used where possible, in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

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.