Staff - Non Union
Job Category
M&P - AAPS
Job Profile
AAPS Salaried - Statistical Analysis, Level A
Job Title
Programmer
Department
Partnership for Work, Health and Safety | School of Population and Public Health | Faculty of Medicine
Compensation Range
$6,251.00 - $8,986.00 CAD Monthly
The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.
Posting End Date
November 14, 2024
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
Dec 31, 2025
This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.
At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Job Summary
This is a one-year term appointment with the possibility for an extension depending on future funding success. The Programmer/Analyst is an integral member of the Partnership for Work, Health and Safety (the Partnership). Duties include: Data management (intake, validation, developing research constructs) of large, administrative data files. This includes developing the programming logic, linking external data (eg, labour force survey, postal code geocoding,) as well as designing and developing programs for creating merged, analyzable research data extracts from raw administrative data. Responsible for executing statistical plans of research studies, performing statistical models; assessing data quality and cleaning data; summarising analysis and results for reports; assisting in preparation and development of data access request for linked projects and assisting in the refinement of detailed statistical analytical plans.
Organizational Status
The Partnership for Work, Health and Safety (the Partnership), is a research program within the School of Population and Public Health (SPPH), Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. This innovative research program conducted in partnership with WorkSafeBC (the Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia) brings together policymakers, researchers and data resources from both organizations as well as external partners to address current and emerging issues of work-related health and workers’ compensation. The Partnership is also currently working in qualitative evaluations of the effectives of programs and policies. The Partnership takes the lead in work-related health research in BC and Canada by developing and promoting the use of routinely collected health and compensation data from multiple sources via our data partner, Population Data BC. Our research results inform the design of evidence-based policies and prevention programs to create safer and more secure workplaces, and help improve opportunities for recovery after injuries occur.
The programmer/ Analyst will exercise statistical judgement (including non-routine) and will be accountable for their actions. The incumbent will make judgement decisions in determining acceptable statistical practices with respect to the potential impact of utilizing a given practice.
The Programmer/Analyst will interact with statisticians, analysts, other programmers, students, researchers and faculty at SPPH, Population Data BC, as well as with external data providers and analysts. This position works on the 3rd floor of the SPPH building, within the space of the Partnership for Work, Health and Safety. There are no known environmental hazards in the space.
Work Performed
Programmer Responsibilities:
- Acts as the content expert of WorkSafeBC data holdings at the Partnership and at Population Data BC (PopData). Required to keep informed of changes in the data through review of metadata, and information from the data stewards (eg, WorkSafeBC compensation policies and practice directives) and PopData (changes to health data over time)
- Works in a team-based approach with PopData to solve problems with WorkSafeBC data provided such as problems with data formats, missing variables, understanding what is in the data and what is not. Works with team to document the information and variables contained in their holdings
- Collaborates with PopData on the creation of Data Access Request data checklists and the development of data documentation for specific project research extracts
- Responsible for identifying Partnership’s data requests from PopData’s WorkSafeBC data holdings and creates specialized quality edit checks
- Performs and conducts Partnership’s data holdings management across large administrative data files including ensuring data quality, creates tables, cleans databases, standardizes fields, loads and queries/retrieves data, assesses integrity of the data and ensures quality control
- Performs data development of new data, cross-linkages among the data files in a privacy sensitive manner and develops new data constructs including cohort development
- Responsible for the development and maintenance of comprehensive data documentation including data maps, technical reports on linkage and data constructs development documentation
- Develops project specific research data extracts, data checklists and data dictionary from Partnership data holdings for Partnership projects requiring developing the programming logic as well as the design and development of programs for creating merged, analyzable research data extracts from raw administrative data
- Provides technical guidance on data utilization or management to members of the research teams
- Responsible for providing timely communication of data issues identified in holdings or in the development of data extracts
- Keeps abreast of new developments in data processing and record linkage scientific literature
- Uses SAS and SQL programming language for data management, and develops and upgrades skills in evolving data and data-related technologies
Analyst responsibilities:
- Performs descriptive and statistical analysis according to study protocols, analytic plans and as directed by study PIs
- Keep abreast on current research literature and statistical data analysis techniques
- Identifies statistical issues in a timely manner and recommends appropriate alternative statistical design, including sample size, analyses for the research, and contributes to the analysis plan
- Provides accurate and specific statistical and technical documentation in order to document and systematize on analytical procedures
- Provides statistical results that are ready to use for reports, manuscripts and presentations, such as summary tables and figures for document or spreadsheet formats
- Provides accurate and timely progress reports regarding expected time needed to complete tasks assigned/ analytical workplans
- Assists in manuscripts and reports written by the investigators
- Provides guidance and assists junior members of the team in developing methodology and in conducting statistical analysis
- Adheres to filing system procedures based on Partnership policies to ensure complete statistical documentation, organization of documents and proper filing
- Other related duties
Consequence of Error/Judgement
Employees always work under strict confidentiality because of the nature of the data use in our projects. Core activities such as database maintenance and access, research and support for both internal and external researchers are all critically dependent on the security and privacy of information systems that have been developed and are maintained. Any privacy breach in data security or errors in judgment could lead to serious errors in data systems, affecting the reputation of SPPH, The Partnership and other data partners. The analyst must be able to exercise judgment regarding the validity of the analytic data, checking the quality of the data against expected values. Care must be exercised in designing and performing tasks to avoid inappropriate assumptions. This position must communicate clearly and effectively in both written and interpersonal forms. Clear and concise writing is required for the development of necessary documentation.
Accuracy is essential since errors may have implications that affect the organization, the research community, stakeholders and public bodies. Errors in judgement may have significant negative impacts to the Partnership, the investigators of the projects, the project budget and the quality of reports. Incorrect statistical analysis can adversely impact the results of a study, resulting in rejection of manuscripts or damage to the reputation of the investigator(s) and the Partnership.
Supervision Received
The Programmer/ Analyst reports to Unit Director of the Partnership for Work, Health and Safety and the Director of Privacy and Operations. The Programmer/Analyst receives direction from, and interacts regularly with, the Principal Investigator of the assigned project and other Co- Investigators. May receive specific guidance for analysis from other members of the research team. Works with project manager to ensure the smooth flow of data, quality of data extracts and the setting of priorities for projects. Works independently following a predetermined workplan to complete programing tasks in a timely fashion.
Supervision Given
None.
Minimum Qualifications
Post-graduate degree in Statistics. Minimum of two years of related experience in research analysis, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Preferred Qualifications
- Post-graduate degree in Statistics or other quantitative oriented discipline is required (such as a Master's degree in Biostatistics, Health Care or Epidemiology, Economics or other Social Sciences) or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Courses in research design and statistical methodology required
- Minimum of two years experience in research analysis. Minimum three years related experience in observational research design methodology or epidemiological analysis is preferred. Experience in conducting study in the area of occupational and worker’s compensation research is an asset. Minimum two years experience conducting data management and analysis using STATA , SAS, or other statistical program is required
- Knowledge SQL programming is required. Demonstrated knowledge of computer software such as Microsoft Access, Word and Excel is required
- Effective oral and written communication
- Proven problem solving, analytical and decision making skills. High level of attention to detail and accuracy
- Able to work both independently and as a part of a team, to work under pressure to meet deadlines. Demonstrated willingness to learn and upgrade skills
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
- Ability to make thoughtful, informed, and thorough decisions
