Senior Scientist, Environmental Health and Wastewater Surveillance
BC Centre for Disease Control
Vancouver, BC


Are you ready to make a difference? The BC Centre for Disease Control, a dynamic Provincial Health Services Authority program, seeks passionate individuals to join us in providing provincial and national leadership in disease surveillance, detection, treatment, prevention, and consultation.


At our core, we aim to cultivate vibrant communities where everyone can achieve optimal health and well-being\xe2\x80\x94right where they live, work, learn, and play.


If you\'re driven by the desire to create positive change and contribute to healthier communities, this is the opportunity you\'ve been waiting for! Apply now to join our innovative team and make a difference that matters.


Environmental Health program areas include drugs and toxins, radon, food safety, radiation, water quality, climate change, air quality and One Health. This position will focus on the surveillance of wastewater as an indicator of population health, including the detection and genomic characterization of pathogens. The Senior Scientist will develop the use of wastewater surveillance data in models of population health and work closely with analysts, modelers and epidemiologists across the BCCDC to integrate wastewater surveillance into all other surveillance systems.


The Senior Scientist leads and contributes to the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of wastewater surveillance, ensuring it aligns with BCCDC\xe2\x80\x99s overall objectives and provincial mandate while meeting the requirements of key internal and external stakeholders are met. The Senior Scientist works to develop research grants to attract external funding and works with other senior scientists to establish new initiatives.


The Senior Scientist works with public health staff, health care professionals, health authorities, community members, utilities, and other partner organizations to ensures that all projects incorporate health-equity, anti-racism and decolonizing principles.

What you\xe2\x80\x99ll do

• Acquires and analyzes data related to emerging issues in public health to provide accurate and timely information to guide public health interventions and public health policy.
• Designs, conducts, interprets and reports on studies in relation to a variety of public health programs, ensuring outcomes appropriately inform decision-making. Collaborates with external and internal partners to better understand their needs and to gain support. Formulates data collection instruments and prepares project charters. Researches and develops tools, templates and techniques for effective management of studies. Collaborates with investigators and other partners external to the BCCDC in developing and completing analyses and/or evaluations.
• Develops recommendations and policy advice by providing reports to the Service Line Medical Director.
• Prepares academic manuscripts and technical reports and disseminates findings including publishing work as required. Prepares abstracts, posters, and oral presentations for conference submissions. Represents BCCDC in presenting information at scientific conferences as required.
• Prepares reports and proposals for grant applications to funding agencies such as CFI, CIHR, NIH and NSERC. Participates in project proposal reviews and progress reviews.
• Keeps up-to-date regarding new initiatives, developments and trends in their area of specialty through literature review, contact with peers at other organizations, professional associations and attendance at seminars, workshop and education programs. Communicates information and makes recommendations to the Medical Director.
• Plans, coordinates and delivers instruction, training and direction to staff, medical residents, subspecialty fellows, medical undergraduates, graduate students, contractors and other health care professionals, technologists, student technologists and/or postdoctoral research fellows as required, in the theory and practice of public health programs.

What you bring


Qualifications

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a PhD in relevant field and seven (7) years of related research training/experience.

You will also have

• Advanced knowledge of relevant database, spreadsheet, statistical, graphical, presentation, communication and web software applications.
• Superior analytical, problem-solving and system analysis skills including the ability to resolve complex issues and synthesize related data/information and present information in concise meaningful ways.
• Ability to direct complex and customized queries and reports.
• Ability to function in a self-directed manner.
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills with a variety of people.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and respond to the needs of stakeholders supported by an acute awareness of the impact of actions.
• Ability to handle multiple concurrent tasks.
• Demonstrated strong data and statistical problem-solving ability and judgment.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in facilitating decisions and communications on input parameters into medical/scientific models.
• Demonstrated flexibility in responding to program and strategic priorities.

• Commitment to develop knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents \xe2\x80\x93 including Truth & Reconciliation Commission\xe2\x80\x99s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC\'s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study \xe2\x80\x93 and how they intersect across the health care system.
• 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).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, 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: Regular, Full-Time
Salary Range: $106,026 - $152,413/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, 0830 - 1630
Requisition # 166821E


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 BC Centre for Disease Control (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 (PHSA) 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: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services


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.


PHSA is committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.


One of PHSA\xe2\x80\x99s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya\'kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.
Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as including Truth & Reconciliation Commission\xe2\x80\x99s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC\'s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.


ATTN: PHSA Employees:


To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca


Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of June 7, 2024. 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 internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.