Data Scientist

Description:

The Data Scientist – HPH provides staff leadership on multi-disciplinary project teams aimed at advancing use of technology within the organization. Works collaboratively with Hamilton Public Health’ Senior Management team in the development of foundational information technology strategy, multi-year business plans and Public Health Services priority setting. Develops, recommends, and provides professional advice with respect to policy, process management, business improvement.

The incumbent will have a demonstrated record of strong leadership and guidance, political acuity, strategic and technical competence, customer focus, project management, business planning, business process mapping, financial management, team building, change management, self-motivation and commitment to results and continuous improvement. The Data Scientist – HPH communicates findings, model results, and recommendations to business teams or clients. The position will work closely with analysts, data engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders to ensure that AI models are successfully integrated into public health service delivery.

General Duties

Leads the development and implementation of a Data Strategy for Hamilton Public Health.

Collaborates and consults with senior leadership, established experts, innovation leaders from other health units and the Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and Public Health Agency of Canada to solve particularly difficult, major, or unique problems.

Collaborates on automation projects and new innovations for the department.

Leads the development and implementation of an AI competency development plan.

Leads the development / implementation and maintenance of a Public Health data governance strategy.

Develops and applies machine learning techniques within Hamilton Public Health.

Leads the development and coordination of a Public Health data warehouse and policy develop for data or AI.

Automate data pipelines and reporting processes.

Collaborate with epidemiologists and program teams.

Develop predictive models for health trends.

Support outbreak analysis and population health insights.

Conducts data analysis using typical tools (Python, SQL, R etc) as needed.

Provides guidance for data analysis and data visualization techniques to other Hamilton Public Health staff.

Modifies or changes broadly established methods and procedures within legislative boundaries.

Develops new solutions within existing practices and legislation to diverse and complex problems with conflicting requirements.

Seeks out, considers, and integrates the appropriate data, ideas, and experiences to make decisions and solve problems.

Prepares oral and written presentations to senior management, Board of Health, community, other health units and levels of government.

Reports regularly on the status of projects, milestone achievement, resource status, change and risk management.

Prepares recommendations and outlines preferred course of action.

Follows specific instructions, well-defined methods, and agency, division, and program policies and procedures as guidelines. Follows and complies with best practices, legislations, and guidelines, as directed by their professional regulatory body.

Ensures privacy guidelines are followed as per the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Personal Health Information Protection Act.

Represents the department on relevant committees, agencies, and in joint initiatives with other governmental, non-governmental and private sector organizations.

Represents, promotes, and advocates for Hamilton Public Health mandate as required.

Ensures operational compliance with all applicable legislation, policies, contracts, agreements, regulations and guidelines as applicable.

Works in accordance with the provisions of applicable Health and Safety legislation and all City of Hamilton Corporate, Public Health Services policies and procedures related to Occupational Health and Safety.

Performs other duties as assigned which are directly related to the responsibilities of the position.

Qualifications

 University Degree in Computer Science, Math or another quantitative related field with advanced demonstrated experience in statistics, big data, data manipulation or visualization.
 Significant years of experience with strong knowledge of statistics and appropriate use of statistical methods and machine learning
 Strong knowledge of and training in theories and principles of biostatistics and epidemiology is preferred.
 Demonstrated working knowledge of basic tools such as R, SQL, and/or
 Demonstrated significant working knowledge of visualization tools and methods (Power BI, Tableau or equivalent).
 Familiarity with cloud or modern data platforms.
 Demonstrated report writing and database maintenance.
 Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
 Ability to assist in infectious disease surveillance, health status reporting, disease outbreak or cluster investigation, as needed.
 Ability to liaise with post-secondary institutions to conduct collaborative research initiatives, as required.
 A high level of personal integrity and motivation, ability to be flexible and adjust to changing requirements, work with very tight deadlines and competing priorities, and excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.