Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers
Career Overview
Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers do research, prepare reports, give advice and manage programs in a variety of areas related to the natural and applied sciences.
People in these careers may be self-employed or work for:
- Federal, provincial and municipal governments
- Computer and office furniture manufacturers
- Educational institutions
- Research organizations
- Consulting firms
- Environmental and conservation organizations
Duties
Ergonomists or human factors specialists:
- Do research, advise on and get involved in the physical, social and psychological relationships between people, their equipment and working or living environments
- Make sure that the design, set up and use of equipment, procedures and environmental conditions make the most of safety, productivity and comfort
Occupational or industrial hygienists:
- Study, evaluate and control physical, chemical and biological hazards and stresses in the workplace
- Report and document investigations and conclusions
- Suggest changes to work environments and processes
- Provide information to workers and managers or employers on methods to reduce the risk of injury or illness from specific occupational hazards
- May also teach safe work procedures, participate in emergency response planning, testify at hearings and report findings at scientific conferences or in scientific journals
Patent agents:
- Advise clients on elements of patent law and on the patentability of inventions
- Do patent searches
- Prepare patent applications
- Represent clients before the patent office
Science policy and program officers:
- Do research and advise on policies or develop or run programs related to transportation, communications, natural resources, agriculture, the environment, energy, land use, recycling and other scientific fields
- Promote public awareness and education on issues such as the use of natural resources, the environment, and reprocessing and reduction of waste
Technology transfer officers:
- Are responsible for transferring and integrating new technologies, usually from university or government research and development environments, to commercial and industrial applications
- Ensure the protection of intellectual property of researchers and developers
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
5,105% Employed Full Time
72%Work takes place in a conventional indoor office setting
Career Pathways
Progression to supervisory or managerial positions in these fields is possible with experience.
Certification of ergonomists through the Canadian Ergonomics Certification Board leading to the designation "Certified Ergonomist" (C.Ergo) is available.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Job Titles
Education, Training and Skills
- A bachelor's degree or college diploma in a related scientific or technical discipline is usually required for occupations in this unit group
- A master's degree in a related scientific discipline may be required.
- Certification through the Canadian College of Certified Professional Ergonomists is required to use the title "Canadian Certified Professional Ergonomist (CCPE)". Membership with the Association of Canadian Ergonomists may be required
- Occupational hygienists may require certification by the Canadian Registration Board of Occupational Hygienists or le Conseil d'accréditation en hygiène industrielle du Québec
- Patent agents require 12 months of work experience in the patent field and successful completion of examinations set by the Commissioner of Patents. They may also be required to be listed in the register of patent agents
- Occupations in this group that are involved in green building design and technologies development may require the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification offered by the Canadian Green Building Council
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Aquaculture/Fisheries
- Forestry Related
- Environmental Studies Related (Arts)
- Environmental Studies Related (Science)
- Forestry/Resource Management Related
- Geography/Earth Sciences Related
- Physics Related
- Environmental Studies/Science
- Kinesiology/Physical Education/Sport
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
5,105Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 150 | 2.9% |
| Kootenay | 230 | 4.5% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 2,505 | 49.0% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 180 | 3.5% |
| Northeast | 135 | 2.6% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 560 | 11.0% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 1,350 | 26.4% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)
1,780Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 30 | -0.3% |
| Kootenay | 70 | 1.3% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 900 | 1.4% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 70 | 0.8% |
| Northeast | 40 | 1.5% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 170 | 0.9% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 500 | 1.3% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2023-2033) |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific And Technical Services | 770 |
| Public Administration | 600 |
| Repair, Personal And Non-Profit Services | 70 |
| Health Care And Social Assistance | 60 |
| Educational Services | 50 |
Resources
Resource information is currently not available.
Career Videos
Watch the video below to learn what a typical day is like for a natural science policy program manager.
Watch the video below to learn what a typical day is like for a natural science policy program manager.
