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Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers  (NOC 4161)
Windsor-Sarnia Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers conduct research, prepare reports, provide consultation and advice and administer programs in a variety of areas related to the natural and applied sciences. They are employed by federal, provincial and municipal governments, computer and office furniture manufacturers, educational institutions, research organizations, consulting firms, environmental and conservation organizations, or they may be self-employed.

energy policy analyst, environmental impact analyst, environmental issues lobbyist, ergonomist, fisheries analyst, human factors specialist (except engineer), industrial hygienist, natural resources policy analyst, occupational hygienist, patent agent, program officer, natural and applied sciences, recycling program co-ordinator, scientific consultant, supervisor, environmental program development, transportation program analyst, transportation safety analyst.

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The following is a summary of main duties for some occupations in this group:
  • Ergonomists or human factors specialists conduct research and advise on, and intervene in the physical, social and psychological interrelationships between persons, their equipment and working or living environments to ensure that the design, configuration and use of equipment, procedures and environmental conditions maximize safety, productivity and comfort.
  • Occupational or industrial hygienists study, evaluate and control physical, chemical and biological hazards and stresses in the workplace. They report and document investigations and conclusions, suggest changes to work environments and processes and provide information to workers and managers or employers on methods to reduce the risk of injury or illness from specific occupational hazards. They 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, conduct patent searches, prepare patent applications and represent clients before the patent office.
  • Science policy and program officers conduct research and advise on policies or develop or administer programs related to transportation, communications, natural resources, agriculture, the environment, energy, land use, recycling and other scientific fields. They promote public awareness and education on such issues as utilization of natural resources, the environment, and reprocessing and reduction of waste.
Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Chatham, Windsor, Sarnia, Amherstburg, Belle River, Forest, Kingsville, Lakeshore, Leamington, Petrolia, St. Clair Beach, Tecumseh, Blenheim, Dresden, Ridgetown, Stoney Point, Tilbury, Wallaceburg

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers in Windsor-Sarnia Region

The future forecast and current conditions for an occupation can vary based on location or due to changes in the economy, technology, or demand for a product or service.

National Outlook – 10-Year Projection (2011-2020)

This section provides labour demand and labour supply projections for this occupation over the 2011-2020 period.

Note: The tables, graphs and middle paragraph shown under this section display updated 2011-2020 projection results. The remaining narrative text (2009-2018 projections) will be updated shortly. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The data in the following table are derived from HRSDC’s Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS). COPS uses a variety of models to produce a detailed 10-year labour market projection per broad skill level and per occupation at the national level, which focuses on the trends of labour supply and labour demand over the next ten years.

This occupation (Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers) is part of a larger occupational group called Policy and Program Officers, Researchers and Consultants (NOC 416).

Table on the demographic profile for your chosen occupation at the national level.
Occupations in this group Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers (4161) 
Economists and Economic Policy Researchers and Analysts (4162) 
Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants (4163) 
Social Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers (4164) 
Health Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers (4165) 
Education Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers (4166) 
Recreation, Sports and Fitness Program Supervisors and Consultants (4167) 
Program Officers Unique to Government (4168) 
Other Professional Occupations in Social Science, n.e.c. (4169) 
Employment (non-student) in 2010 198,634
Median Age of workers in 2010 41
Average Retirement Age in 2010 62

Occupation Projection for Canada

Over the 2008-2010 period, employment growth in this occupation was strong and the unemployment rate remained stable and very low (2.4% in 2010). According to key labour market indicators, the number of job seekers was insufficient to fill job openings in this occupation.

Over the 2011-2020 period, an occupation will be in excess demand (a shortage of workers) if the projected number of job openings is significantly greater than the projected number of job seekers. An occupation will be in excess supply (a surplus of workers) if the projected number of job openings is smaller than the projected number of job seekers. For Policy And Program Officers, Researchers And Consultants, over the 2011-2020 period, job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 85,229 and 100,407 job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill the job openings.

Based on projections and considering that there was a shortage of labour supply in this occupation, it is expected that the number of job seekers will remain insufficient to fill job openings over the 2011-2020 period. Although employment growth will remain relatively high over the projection period, it will slow down significantly compared to the strong growth recorded in recent years. One of the main reasons for this slowdown is the budget freezes or cuts put in place by the federal government and some of the provincial governments. The slowdown will, however, be partially offset by the increase in the need to replace workers who retire. With regard to labour supply, the number of school leavers, who represent the vast majority of the job seekers, and immigrants will continue to increase; however, mobility will be more limited because fewer workers from other occupations will be attracted to this occupation as a result of the deterioration of its labour market conditions.

This Chart contains data for Projection of Job Openings vs. Job Seekers for Canada. Information is available in the following tables.

This Chart contains data for Projection of Job Openings vs. Job Seekers for Canada. Information is available in the following tables.
Table of job opening projections for the occupational group containing your chosen occupation.
Category Openings %
Expansion Demand 39,918 47%
Retirements 35,188 41%
Other Replacement Demand 5,490 6%
Emigration 4,633 5%
Projected Job Openings 85,229 100%
Table of job seeker projections for the occupational group containing your chosen occupation.
Category Seekers %
School Leavers 77,077 77%
Immigration 10,423 10%
Other 12,907 13%
Projected Job Seekers 100,407 100%
[ Source: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) ]

In which industry or sector do people in this occupation find jobs in Canada?

This table shows the industry and sectors employing the highest number of people in this occupation.

This table shows the industry sectors employing the highest number of people in this occupation.
Industry / Sector %
Public administration 36.70
Professional, scientific and technical services 36.40
Manufacturing 3.80
[ Source: 2006 Census - Statistics Canada | Legal note ]

What percentage of people in this occupation are self-employed?

The graph displays the percentage of people in this occupation who are “self-employed”, according to the 2006 Census, in comparison to the Canadian average across all occupations.

As shown in the graph, according to the 2006 Census, 13% of people in this occupation were self-employed, while the average for all occupations was 12%.

The Labour Force Survey also gives us some information about self-employment. This occupation (Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers) is part of a larger group called Policy and Program Officers, Researchers and Consultants (NOC 416). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), 11% of workers in this group were self-employed, while the average for all occupations was 16%.

[ Source: Labour Force Survey - Statistics Canada | Legal note ]

What proportion of men and women work in this occupation?

The graph displays the proportion of men and women in this occupation in comparison to the Canadian average across all occupations.

According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), women represented 39% of workers in this occupation, compared to the average of 48% for all occupations.

[ Source: 2006 Census - Statistics Canada / Labour Force Survey - Statistics Canada | Legal note ]

What percentage of people in this occupation are members of a union?

This occupation (Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers) is part of a larger group called Policy and Program Officers, Researchers and Consultants (NOC 416). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), the unionization rate for this group was 43%, while the unionization rate for all occupations was 31%.

[ Source: Labour Force Survey - Statistics Canada | Legal note ]
Please consult the Windsor-Sarnia Region and Ontario tabs for more useful information related to outlook.