Data Scientist

Role Responsibilities

The PRC is seeking an innovative, strategic minded individual to serve as a Data Scientist. Reporting to the Director of Corporate Supports, this role is responsible for analyzing and interpreting strategic data to support the PRC’s mandate of providing transparent oversight of the police complaints process in Alberta.

This position plays a critical role in enabling evidence based decision making across the organization by transforming complex data into meaningful insights for leadership, staff, and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

•    Supports evidence-based decision-making at all levels of the PRC through the creation of specialized information products that provide leaders, staff and external partners with convenient access to data and other products.
•    Leads the creation, implementation, and maintenance of the PRC's evaluation framework to assess program effectiveness, measure outcomes, and inform continuous improvement.
•    Develops and maintains performance metrics and evaluation tools to assess the impact of PRC initiatives, ensuring data-driven decision-making and accountability.
•    Designs data modeling processes and creates algorithms and predictive models to extract the data the program needs.
•    Applies data science techniques, such as statistical modeling and artificial intelligence technologies, including machine learning, to increase and optimize value for money, return on investment, and other business outcomes.
•    Creates data visualizations and other reporting products, such as dashboards, reports, presentations to the PRC executive team and stakeholders (including police commissions, police services, the public).

As a Data Scientist, you will bring a strong understanding of data creation, analysis, and evaluation to lead the development of the agency’s evaluation framework. You will explore data generated by the PRC and external sources, develop analytical reports, and present clear, compelling visualizations to a wide range of audiences. This role requires sound judgment, curiosity, and adaptability to support emerging information needs, new policy initiatives, and evolving priorities through data driven, evidence based insights.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following APS competencies:

•    Systems Thinking: Uses an understanding of police complaints data to develop accurate, timely analytics that support the PRC’s overall goals and direction. 
•    Agility: Manages multiple complex projects with competing deadlines while adapting to changing priorities and anticipating program needs. 
•    Develop Networks: Builds and maintains productive relationships with staff, stakeholders, and consultants to support effective evaluation planning and interpretation of results. 
•    Drive for Results: Completes assigned work efficiently and on time, in alignment with direction and performance expectations.

Qualifications

A university degree (4 years) in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics or a related quantitative discipline, plus 4 years related experience.

Required:

•    Knowledge of a variety of machine learning techniques (regressions, clustering, decision tree learning, artificial neural networks, etc.) and their real-world advantages/drawbacks.
•    Knowledge of advanced statistical techniques and concepts (statistical inference, probability theory, hypothesis testing, linear and non-linear programming) and experience with applications
•    Extensive knowledge in developing and implementing applied statistical and machine learning models. 
•    Experience using data visualization software (Tableau, SAS Viya, PowerBI, etc.)

Assets:

•    Proficient with one or more programming languages (Python, Java, C++, R, SQL, etc.)
•    Experience with querying databases and creating data architectures.
•    Experience in conducting analysis and modeling involving complex data linkages, calculations, and validation. 
•    Strong working knowledge of databases, data models, as well as ETL and data warehouse tools. 

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

•    Office is located in Edmonton, Alberta 
•    Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week (full time)
•    Monday to Friday (8:15 am to 4:30 pm)

It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application for education completed outside of Canada.

Other Application Information:

•    Please include a cover letter outlining how your education and skills align with the role.
•    Final candidates may be required to undergo a written assignment and/or presentation pre or post interview.
•    This position will require final candidates to undergo an enhanced fingerprint-based security clearance.
•    Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees.

•    Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
•    Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
•    Leadership and mentorship programs