Research Analyst I (Amended)

With a vision to become the leading workplace compensation board, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) provides no-fault insurance and compensation for Ontarians in the event of a workplace injury or illness. We are committed to delivering what matters: fast, accessible service and fair benefits at a fair price.

We've recently launched a comprehensive plan for modernizing and revitalizing the WSIB. This is an exciting time for the organization, and we invite you to be a part of it as we work to grow and improve the services we provide.

Recognized as a best-in-class learning organization, we promote professional development and are committed to providing our people with opportunities to lead, learn and grow, ensuring that we're providing the best possible service to the people of Ontario. We offer a market-competitive total compensation plan and a robust wellness program that promotes a healthy lifestyle as well as work/life balance.

The work we do at the WSIB is meaningful and challenging, and it makes a difference to the people of Ontario. We value integrity, reliability and fairness, and we embrace the diversity of the people we work with and serve.

What can I expect to do in this role?

We are currently seeking a motivated and results driven Research Analyst that appreciates autonomy. If you are looking for an opportunity to utilize your primary/market research skills and analytical skills, then this position may just be what you are seeking.

The Research Analyst provides highly professional expertise in selecting/applying a broad scope of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies for the assessment of WSIB processes, policies, products, services and programs. Act independently or as a project manager in designing and implementing research design, analyzing data, and presenting findings and recommendations to the Board of Directors, Operational Management and/or other clients/stakeholders.

• Consult with project clients to scope and define complex unique research questions that will inform the research project. This includes defining the needs, interests and issues pertinent to the client; providing recommendations and implementing solutions; acting as an organizational change agent to assist managers in their function to plan and control resources related to their programs.

• Act as a project leader and develop project plan which includes setting project objectives and timeframes; establishing project team and assigning responsibility for project tasks; monitoring progress of a project; identifying obstacles/risks; problem-solving and adjusting project plan/activities as required; guiding, persuading and motivating other analysts, management and various project members.

• Provide expert advice, opinion and information on research designs. This includes determining types of methodologies (e.g. survey, analysis of existing data) needed to measure research questions; designing survey questionnaires, focus group questions; determining who will be studied for what purpose through design and application of population and sampling techniques; consulting with Coordinator, Survey Administration on availability of resources and time commitments involved; deciding on techniques to be used in analyzing data (e.g. logistic regression modeling, classification analysis; designing reporting tools.

• Source required data from areas internal or external to WSIB. Data collection may include administering/fielding survey instruments; facilitating focus groups or interviews; doing claim file reviews etc.

• Compile and transform data collected into appropriate form for analysis. This includes designing and employing complex and customized SAS programs (e.g. logit, probit, classification, discriminant, and factor analysis) or assigning tasks to project team members.

• Analyze, interpret and synthesize diverse data using advanced mathematics and statistical theories/applications to draw conclusions about research findings; provide recommendations for deliberation by operational and senior management; or assign tasks to project team members.

• Condense, consolidate, summarize and market project findings and recommendations for reporting and presentation purposes or oversee the completion of these activities by project participants.

• Partner with Business Analytics teams or other subject matter experts for research design, data collection, and analysis activities in order to facilitate exchange of theoretical and technical (e.g. statistical) knowledge and expertise.

• Maintain currency of knowledge on research theory and WSIB strategies, initiatives, programs by attending internal/external training programs (e.g. Canadian Evaluation Society, Institute for Social Research, SAS Institute); conducting literature reviews of pertinent research; liaising with other research and program evaluation communities or by any other means considered appropriate by branch management.

• Conduct knowledge transfer activities with stakeholders, worker and employer groups, Institute for Work and Health, Ministry of Labour, other jurisdictional boards and interested parties by presenting finding tailored to the audience.

• Perform other related duties as assigned or required such as:

• Participating in, or chairing, inter-divisional or external working groups;
• Liaising with consultants when necessitated by specific research projects;
• Developing and reviewing external proposals for research and program evaluation studies (e.g. Ipsos Reid contracts).

How do I qualify?

Knowledge and Skills:

1. Extensive knowledge of research disciplines, theories, and principles normally acquired through university completion at the post graduate level with a Masters in Social Science or Mathematics/Statistics.

2. Demonstrated experience designing/conducting primary applied research.

3. Demonstrated experience providing consultation on selecting/applying a broad scope of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.

4. Superior working knowledge of research methodologies and practices (e.g. preparing surveys, conducting/facilitating focus groups, file reviews).

5. Working knowledge of SAS programming, Microsoft Access, Excel, Word and Lotus Notes.

6. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

7. Well developed organizational and time management skills.

Note: As a precondition of employment, the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board may require a prospective candidate to undergo a criminal records name check prior to or at anytime following hire.

Note: Please include the following information in the subject line: Posting #13-0041, Research Analyst I, your last name, followed by first name.

Collection of Information

Your personal information is being collected and will be used to determine your qualifications for employment with the Ontario Public Service, and for recruitment modernization initiatives. OPS Careers is an authorized common service in accordance with s. 6 of the Ministry of Government Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.25 and this collection of personal information is necessary to the proper administration of OPS Careers.

Please do not provide more personal information than what is asked of you. For example, do not include your social insurance number, photograph, or banking information, etc. with your application. We strongly encourage you not to provide us with information beyond that which is requested in the job posting.

If you have any questions about the collection, use, disclosure, or retention of your personal information, please contact us.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 5, 2013 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.