Talent Pool - Senior Scientist/Policy Analyst

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) helps people overcome workplace injuries and illnesses and helps business owners make their workplaces safe and healthy. Our people are at the heart of what we do. Bring your enthusiasm and expertise to the WSIB, and we'll help you achieve your personal and professional goals through meaningful work, development opportunities and a culture of compassion, integrity and teamwork.

We are the WSIB. And we're here to help.

WSIB offices remain closed due to COVID-19. Our priority is the health and wellness of employees and the people of Ontario. As such, this position may involve working from home for all or part of the duration of this position.

12 month contract position

What can I expect to do in this role?

Use a high level of scientific and technical expertise to provide support to the WSIB's management staff and its stakeholders on all occupational disease issues primarily in the form of scientific reviews, guidelines and/or policies. Monitor trends and developments in the occupational health sciences to identify and advise on occupational disease issues that may have impacts on the WSIB. Ensure the OPB branch provides timely service to its clients using high scientific standards. Represent the WSIB's interests in matters relating to occupational disease in the provincial, national and international research networks.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Investigate causal associations between diseases and occupational exposures, and effectively communicate the results through various written scientific products such as scientific reviews, opinions and memos.

2. Advise WSIB management, staff and external stakeholders on existing or emerging occupational disease issues and legislative issues related to occupational disease that may impact the Board at various levels.

This includes:

Monitoring epidemiologic and other scientific literature and legislative developments;
Identification of trends and developments in occupational disease through the identification of up-to-date scientific reviews and studies;

Providing issues management support.

3. Perform all necessary tasks involved in policy development including:

Writing discussion papers, that summarize not only the scientific evidence, but also the legal and financial impact of options, and the claims experience internally and externally;

Drafting policies based on an analysis of all issues that will impact the Board and its stakeholders;
Coordination and oversight of any consultation process related to the policy development and subsequent implementation of the policy.

4. Provide support to WSIB staff and stakeholders on occupational disease issues including:

Interpreting policy;

Enhancing scientific and technical knowledge of Board staff as needed or requested using a variety of means such as verbal communication, training and electronic media;

Developing guidelines and adjudicative support material in the absence of policy.

5. Ensure that a high level of scientific rigor is upheld in all branch products through mentoring and providing on-the-job training and participating in peer review.

6. Liaise with the academic community and represent WSIB interests in occupational disease within the provincial, national and international research community.

7. Perform other related duties as assigned or required.

How do I qualify?

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

University completion at the post graduate level with a PhD in Toxicology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health/Medical Services or Occupational Health and Safety

6 years prior experience in policy development and research in toxicology, occupational hygiene, epidemiology, biostatistics, health/medical services or occupational health and safety

Demonstrated strong communication skills and political acuity

Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Additional Information:

As a precondition of employment, the WSIB will require a prospective candidate to undergo a criminal records name check prior to or at any time following hire.

To apply for this position, please submit your application by the closing date noted above.

We appreciate the interest of all candidates. Due to the volumes of applications we receive, we are only able to contact candidates that are selected to move forward in the recruitment process. The WSIB is an equal opportunity employer.

The WSIB is an equal opportunity employer and provides accommodation for job applicants in accordance with the Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you are an individual with a disability and you need accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact talentacquisitioncentre@wsib.on.ca. If you are invited to participate in the assessment process, please provide your accommodation needs at that time. Please be advised that you may be required to provide medical documentation to the WSIB's Corporate Health Department so that appropriate accommodation can be provided to you throughout the recruitment process.

Employees of the WSIB have important ethical responsibilities, including the obligation to place the public interest above personal interests. Job applicants are therefore required to disclose any circumstance that could result in a real, potential or perceived conflict of interest. These may include: political activity, directorship or other outside employment and certain personal relationships (e.g. with existing WSIB employees, clients and/or stakeholders). Please contact TAC if you have any questions about conflict of interest obligations and/ or how to make a disclosure.

Privacy Statement

Personal information will be collected from your resume, application, cover letter and references under the authority of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 and will be used by the Talent Acquisition Centre and WSIB hiring parties to assess/validate your qualifications and/or determine if you meet the requirements of vacant positions and/or gather information relevant for recruitment purposes. If you have questions or concerns regarding the collection and use of your personal information, contact the WSIB Privacy Office, 200 Front Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V 3J1 or 416-344-5323 or 1-800-387-0750 extension 5323. Be advised that information related to application status will not be provided.

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 Wednesday, December 30, 2020 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.