Epidemiologist

Role Responsibilities

Are you a result-oriented individual with strong analytical skills looking to put your expertise to good use? If so, the Public Health Analytics Unit is seeking an Epidemiologist to work as part of a multidisciplinary team focused on infectious disease and immunization surveillance.

The successful candidate will lead respiratory virus surveillance (e.g., influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus RSV) and assessment of vaccine effectiveness. The candidate will also support other areas such as outbreak investigations, as required. The position is responsible for conducting analyses, developing evidence and providing advice to support health policy and planning through the collection, analysis, interpretation and reporting of health trends, health determinants, risk factors, and health events. The position is also responsible for identifying innovative solutions to analytical problems and ensuring best practices are followed (e.g., coding version control, automation of data pipelines, and standardization of surveillance indicators).

You support the ministry's public health surveillance functions by developing networks and working collaboratively with other members of the Strategic Policy & Performance Division, the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and Public Health. 

This position actively promotes and contributes to the effective use of public health surveillance information in priority setting, quality assurance, and knowledge creation activities for internal and external stakeholders including the public, Alberta Health Services, Federal agencies, and academic collaborators.
 
If this sounds like you, then consider joining the Public Health Analytics Branch!

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.

Build Collaborative Environments: through making connections with a broad range of stakeholders which include; Alberta Health Services, Indigenous Services Canada, other jurisdictions (provinces and Federal Departments), and other provincial governmental departments.

Creative Problem Solving: by applying a creative approach to a range of different projects that will require you to proactively identify issues through environmental scanning, trend analysis, and evaluation of changing business needs.

Drive for Results: by applying your advanced knowledge of epidemiology research methods and statistical techniques.

Qualifications

A University Degree in a related field (Epidemiology, Statistics, Data Science, Health Sciences, or in a related Health discipline with a strong analytical focus), and a minimum of four (4) years of progressively related work experience is required. 

Required experience includes:

• Data exploration, analysis, interpretation and reporting.
• Experience working with statistical models, machine learning, data visualization, and/or using epidemiological methods.
• Statistical programs (e.g. R, Python or SQL).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with experience in both technical writing and customizing communication styles to engage different audiences.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess the following:

• Demonstrated continued professional development and/or self-directed learning related to analytics.
• Experience working with infectious disease surveillance.
• Experience working in collaborative environments related to analytics (e.g. version control and reproducibility).

The following experience is considered an asset: 

• Master’s Degree in a related field.
• Previous experience in leading, coaching, and / or professional mentoring.
   

Equivalency
Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 

• 1 years of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year education. 

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

Hours of Work:

• 36.25 hours per week (full time) 

 
Position Location: 

• ATB Place North, Edmonton

Other Information:

• Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
• 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 have 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.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.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.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.