Job Description

Epidemiologist, Vaccine Effectiveness

BC Centre for Disease Control

Vancouver, BC

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. Reporting to the Lead, Influenza & Emerging Respiratory Pathogens Team, the Epidemiologist is responsible for provincial surveillance, applied research and evaluation activities, notably SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 and influenza vaccine effectiveness, to inform real-time risk assessment and program and policy recommendations. The Epidemiologist manages surveillance; outbreak investigation and intervention; provides consultation based on expert knowledge to a broad range of stakeholders including regional health authorities, other provincial and national partners, and health professionals and disseminates critical information through electronic bulletins, prepared reports, presentations and media communications. Accuracy and completeness of information as well as sound judgment are essential to ensuring decisions are made to guard public safety. Errors or miscalculations could result in significant health and societal costs and human suffering and loss of corporate credibility.

What you\xe2\x80\x99ll do

• Develop and maintain surveillance initiatives, including performing functions such as getting an accurate reporting case definition, defining additional information required beyond that for routine reporting, and making sure the information gets to critical stakeholders.
• Ensure timely and effective communication of reports by continuous improvement of surveillance systems, holding a constant focus on turn-around times from various sources, and alerting all stakeholders and those who need the information to respond appropriately to threats. Prepare background material and media releases and responds as delegated to media inquiries and interview requests.
• Critically analyze communicable disease and environmental hazard data utilizing comprehensive multi-layered understanding of epidemiology, public health and direct and indirect health care and societal impacts by identifying and responding to deviations from expected reporting patterns and clusters of disease/hazards, preparing, or collaborating in the preparation of reports, identifying and providing supporting rationale for appropriate interventions
• Provide consultation services to regional health authorities, other provincial partners, national partners, special interest groups, health care professionals, and the public including responding to inquiries, identifying and making recommendations for addressing risk factors, developing education materials and making presentations. Liaise with public health, acute care, and other partners in these activities.
• Evaluate existing programs and research relevant to the prevention and control of communicable diseases and environmental hazards by conducting literature reviews, designing and implementing studies, collecting and analyzing data, and writing reports. Design appropriate studies for investigating outbreaks, unusual clusters, or environmental hazards; prepare questionnaires; and analyzes outbreak data and recommends appropriate interventions. Contribute to applied public health research and ensures new understanding and knowledge is shared by publishing findings in recognized/peer-reviewed scientific journals or presentations at professional conferences.
• Assist with budget preparation, briefing note development, and justification of program expenditures; represents the Influenza & Emerging Respiratory Pathogens Team and BCCDC on various internal and external working groups, including national and provincial committees; partners with other agencies to ensure multi-disciplinary input and collaboration in development of public health initiatives; and provides input to the development of policies and provincial guidelines. Participate in strategic decision-making, program and policy development related to program area.
• Contribute eighty percent of activities toward program specific goals and twenty percent on centre-wide initiatives. Collaborate and provide coverage across program areas. Participate in quality improvement activities (including imPROVE) and ensure compliance with accreditation standards.
• Provide mentorship and work direction to surveillance analysts, field epidemiologists and supervise students including community medicine residents and others; oversee specific projects and provide input into performance evaluations.

What you bring

Qualifications

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Masters in Epidemiology or Public Health (MSc or MPH or MHSc) and a minimum of 2 years experience in the field of public health. Experience as a communicable disease epidemiologist, federal field epidemiologist or evaluation of vaccine effectiveness is considered an asset.
• Clinical skills and experience in nursing or infection control and/or experience as a communicable disease epidemiologist or federal field epidemiologist considered an asset.
• Ability and experience in designing, implementing, and conducting studies, their interpretation, written reporting and publication.
• Demonstrated ability to secure grant funding in support of research initiatives.
• Demonstrated statistical analysis skills, including disease mapping and analysis and recognition of disease clustering.
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency in maintaining large databases of statistical and analytical software.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to work well in interdisciplinary teams.
• Effective interpersonal skills, mature judgment and flexibility.
• Ability to proficiently use a variety of statistical software tools including SAS and R is essential.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC\'s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities impacting indigenous communities and familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, etc.).

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That\xe2\x80\x99s why we\xe2\x80\x99re focused on your care too \xe2\x80\x93 offering health, wellness, development programs to support you \xe2\x80\x93 at work and at home.

• Join one of BC\xe2\x80\x99s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations \xe2\x80\x93 offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San\xe2\x80\x99yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time (until March 31st 2025)
Salary Range: $86,398 - $124,197/year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate\xe2\x80\x99s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.

Location: 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver BC, V5Z 4R4
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Hours of Work: Monday \xe2\x80\x93 Friday, 08:00-16:00/08:30-16:30
Requisition # 149005E

As per the current Public Health Order, full vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment with PHSA as of October 26, 2021.

What we do

The (BCCDC) is dedicated to preventing and controlling communicable diseases and promoting environmental health for the province of BC.

BCCDC is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority ( ) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people \xe2\x80\x93 Be compassionate \xe2\x80\x93 Dare to innovate \xe2\x80\x93 Cultivate partnerships \xe2\x80\x93 Serve with purpose. Learn more about PHSA and our programs:

PHSA and BCCDC are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments\xe2\x80\x99 unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey\xe2\x80\x94one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of July 24, 2023. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday \xe2\x80\x93 Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.
Labor Agreement Excluded
Requisition # 149005E-2402303
Work Site 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, V5Z 4R4
Job Type Temporary, Full-Time
Temporary Duration N/A
FTE 1.00
Hours of Work 08:00-16:00/08:30-16:30
Work Days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Expiry Date 15-Aug-2023

Provincial Health Services Authority