Epidemiologist, Immunization Programs - BC Centre for Disease Control

Epidemiologist, Respiratory Diseases

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—right 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 show your 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).

BCCDC values lived experience within Indigenous communities, so if you are interested in this role, we encourage you to apply even if you feel your skills don't perfectly align with those listed.

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 and working closely with the medical lead of the Canadian Sentinel Practitioner Surveillance Network (SPSN) and vaccine effectiveness evaluation team at the BC Centre for Disease Control, this position will provide analytical/statistical support of applied research and evaluation activities, notably vaccine effectiveness, to inform real-time risk assessment and program and policy recommendations The Epidemiologist manages surveillance; outbreak and hazard 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. Opportunities to contribute to peer-reviewed publication. Statistical skills and ability to use a variety of software tools, including related data management, data cleaning, analysis and visualization will be important. 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. Experience in health care and notably public health preferred. Experience in communicable diseases and vaccine evaluation considered an asset.

What you’ll 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; prepares 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.
• Assists with budget preparation, briefing note development, and justification of program expenditures; represents the Respiratory Surveillance 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. Participates in strategic decision-making, program and policy development related to program area.

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.
• Clinical skills and experience in nursing or infection control and/or experience as a communicable disease epidemiologist or federal field epidemiologist considered an asset.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
• 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.).

Skills and Knowledge      

• 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 use a variety of statistical software tools.
• Intermediate programming proficiency in R is an essential requirement.
• Thorough knowledge, demonstrated experience, and/or formal training in Python, SAS, Tableau, Power BI or GIS analysis are an asset.

• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 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, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

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’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – 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’yas 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 December 31, 2027)

Salary Range: $88,990 - $ 111,237/Year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s 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, V6H 1L5

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 08:30-16:30
Requisition Number # 192011E

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.

The 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 – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BCCDC are 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’s 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’s 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.

Attention current employees of PHSA:  

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca. 

The internal job posting expires on December 9, 2025 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting. 

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.  

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.