Public Health Agency of Canada Jobs Opportunities

If you’re looking to build a meaningful career in health and safety while supporting communities across the country, look at the Public Health Agency of Canada Jobs. There are numerous opportunities based in Ottawa, Toronto, and locations across Ontario. The agency hires for clinical, administrative, and public-facing roles that directly impact public health outcomes. It’s a perfect choice for nurses, laboratory workers, and even foreigners who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

Public Health Agency of Canada Careers covers more than just labs and hospitals. Whether you’re applying to be a Travel Nurse, a Laboratory Technologist, or a Clinic Assistant, your work will support large-scale health programs, emergency response, and long-term planning. The agency offers both temporary and permanent positions. Some jobs are open to recent graduates or professionals looking to shift into the public sector.

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Public Health Agency of Canada Jobs for Foreigners & Canadians

Overview – The Public Health Agency of Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada PHAC is a federal organization that operates under Health Canada. It is focused on promoting health, preventing chronic diseases, and responding to health emergencies nationwide. Created in 2004, the agency leads national efforts on vaccinations, infectious disease monitoring, food safety, and community health. It supports policy development, field response, data collection, and public outreach in both English and French.

PHAC is headquartered in Ottawa but operates across provinces and territories, often partnering with local clinics and public health units. Employees come from a wide range of backgrounds, including medicine, research, communications, logistics, and emergency management. The agency promotes diversity and welcomes applications from Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and newcomers to Canada. With a reputation for professionalism and public impact, it remains a preferred employer for those who want their work to make a difference.

Types of Jobs

Public Health Agency of Canada jobs cover a wide range of professions focused on protecting and improving the health of Canadians. With offices and field placements in Ottawa, Toronto, and across Ontario, the agency offers both entry-level and specialist roles in labs, clinics, offices, and field operations. From nurses on the front lines to analysts and coordinators behind the scenes, there are opportunities for both Canadian citizens and foreigners with legal work eligibility. Here are the main job categories and the kinds of roles found within each.

Nursing and Clinical Support

This category focuses on providing frontline healthcare and patient support services. Nurses and clinical professionals here help deliver care, monitor health, and support national wellness programs.

• Travel Nurse
   Travel Nurses are deployed across the country during outbreaks, vaccination efforts, or public health campaigns. They work in remote and urban locations depending on the need, providing short-term hands-on care and health education. Nurses in this role must be flexible, licensed, and able to work in changing conditions.
• Clinic Assistant
   Clinic Assistants support daily clinic functions, help manage patients, and assist with administrative tasks such as intake and appointment setup. They are essential during national health programs like flu vaccinations and the COVID response.
• Public Health Nurse
   Public Health Nurses focus on community health promotion, disease prevention, and outreach. Based in cities like Ottawa or Toronto, they work with schools, long-term care homes, and community centers to provide guidance and support.

Laboratory and Diagnostics

These roles involve testing, analyzing, and identifying public health risks in labs. Professionals help detect outbreaks and monitor infectious diseases through critical diagnostics.

• Laboratory Technologist
   Lab Technologists process test samples, handle data entry, and help monitor national health trends. These roles are essential in PHAC’s diagnostic labs and require certification in laboratory sciences.
• Research Assistant
   Research Assistants support studies related to infectious diseases, chronic illness, and population health. They help design surveys, gather field data, and organize research materials.
• Sample Transport Coordinator
   This role involves coordinating the pickup and delivery of medical samples across regional and national labs. It’s a logistics-heavy position that ensures samples arrive safely and on time for analysis.

Emergency Response and Field Operations

This area includes rapid response teams and field specialists ready to act in health crises. These professionals ensure effective coordination during emergencies like pandemics or natural disasters.

• Field Response Officer
   These officers are deployed during national emergency such as outbreaks, natural disasters, or environmental health incidents. They coordinate resources, work with local authorities, and assist with on-site response planning.
• Emergency Preparedness Planner
   Planners develop action plans, run drills, and evaluate agency readiness for various health threats. They work closely with multiple departments to make sure all procedures are current and well-tested.
• Mobile Support Technician
   Technicians in this role travel with mobile units and set up technology, supplies, or field clinics. They provide technical support and help ensure operations run smoothly in remote locations.

Health Policy and Program Management

Jobs in this stream involve designing, managing, and evaluating national health policies. Employees help build programs that protect and promote the health of Canadians.

• Health Program Analyst
   Analysts design and evaluate public health programs. They gather performance data, analyze outcomes, and help recommend changes to federal initiatives.
• Policy Advisor
   Advisors work on health policy development, consulting with internal and external stakeholders. They help influence recommendations that impact long-term health strategies and funding priorities.
• Stakeholder Engagement Officer
   This role focuses on communication between PHAC and external groups like provinces, Indigenous communities, and advocacy organizations. Officers coordinate events, briefings, and collaborative programs.

Communications and Public Education

These roles focus on sharing accurate health information with the public. Specialists create campaigns, content, and strategies to keep Canadians informed and aware.

• Communications Officer
   Communications Officers write public health updates, social media content, and briefing notes for internal and external audiences. Their work supports transparency and promotes education during health campaigns.
• Content Designer
   Content Designers create accessible materials like infographics, web pages, and reports. They make complex medical topics easier to understand for the general public.
• Media Liaison
   This role involves managing press inquiries, arranging interviews, and working closely with federal media teams to deliver accurate, timely updates.

Science and Research

This category includes epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and scientists leading health-related studies. Their work supports evidence-based decisions and long-term policy planning.

• Epidemiologist
   Epidemiologists study the causes and patterns of diseases in Canada. They track outbreaks, analyze data, and work closely with other health departments to guide decision-making.
• Biostatistician
   This role supports public health research with statistical modelling and data interpretation. It’s key to understanding the impact of health trends and interventions.
• Surveillance Officer
   Officers collect and monitor health data from clinics, labs, and hospitals. They detect early warning signs of health risks and help coordinate agency responses.

Administrative and Technical Support

These positions offer the behind-the-scenes support needed to keep operations running. They include clerical, tech, logistics, and HR roles vital to public health efficiency.

• Human Resources Assistant
   HR Assistants help recruit, onboard, and support agency staff. They handle documentation, job postings, and coordinate with different departments on hiring needs.
• IT Technician
   Technicians maintain agency computers, support remote teams, and troubleshoot system issues. Some roles may involve field work, especially emergency deployments.
• Procurement Clerk
   Procurement Clerks help purchase medical supplies, manage contracts, and ensure agencies have what they need for daily operations and large-scale health initiatives.

Eligibility Criteria

To work with the Public Health Agency of Canada, you’ll need to meet specific eligibility standards based on the role you’re applying for. While many jobs are open to a wide range of applicants, including newcomers and foreigners with valid work authorization, there are still certain expectations around education, experience, and legal status. Here’s a breakdown of the main requirements that apply to most positions.

Age and Legal Work Eligibility

Applicants must meet basic legal standards to work in the federal public service.

• You must be at least 18 years old at the time of application
• You need to be legally authorized to work in Canada
• Foreigners must hold permanent resident status or a valid work permit

Education and Certification Requirements

Different roles require different levels of education and credentials.

• Entry-level roles often require a high school diploma or equivalent
• Nurses, technologists, and medical staff must hold valid provincial licences
• Research and policy roles usually require a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field
• Language proficiency in English or French may be required, especially for bilingual roles

Work Experience Expectations

Some roles are open to freshers, while others ask for specific job history.

• Clinic and admin support roles may not require previous experience
• Technical or clinical jobs like Laboratory Technologist or Travel Nurse typically need one to three years of experience
• Senior roles such as Policy Advisor or Safety Investigator often require three to five years in a related field

Skills and Job Readiness

Applicants should have the core skills needed to perform their duties effectively.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential for public-facing roles
• Analytical and organizational abilities are required in research and policy jobs
• Physical readiness and endurance may be needed for field and emergency response roles
• Familiarity with digital tools or data systems is a plus in admin and lab-based jobs

Application Process for Public Health Agency of Canada Jobs

Applying for Public Health Agency of Canada jobs is done entirely online through the official federal government portal. Whether you’re applying for a clinic role in Ottawa, a laboratory position in Toronto, or a field assignment in another part of Ontario, all postings are managed through central job boards. The process is structured and straightforward, with clear steps at each stage.

Before you start your application, make sure you have your resume ready, along with any certifications, licences, or references that may be required for the role. If you’re applying for more than one job, take time to tailor your resume slightly for each posting. Here’s how to apply from start to finish.

Step 1: Browse Available Job Postings

Start by visiting the official job board for the Public Health Agency of Canada.

• Use filters to narrow down results by job type, location, or experience level
• Open listings include nursing, admin, research, and policy roles
• Each posting includes detailed requirements and application instructions

Step 2: Create a Government of Canada Account

To submit an application, you’ll need to register or sign in to the federal job platform.

• Fill in your contact details and upload your resume
• Set up job alerts if you want to track new postings in real time
• Save your profile for quick access to future job applications

Step 3: Submit Your Online Application

Once logged in, you can begin the actual application process.

• Attach your resume and any required documents (e.g., license, certifications)
• Complete job-specific questions about your experience and eligibility
• Make sure to follow any additional instructions listed in the job post

Summary

Public Health Agency of Canada Jobs offer a stable, purpose-driven path for people who want to make a difference in public health. From clinical care and lab testing to emergency response and policy development, these roles support national programs that directly impact the well-being of Canadians. Whether you’re based in Toronto, Ottawa, or anywhere in Ontario, and whether you’re a local applicant or a qualified foreigner, the agency provides reliable schedules, structured pay, and the kind of support that makes public service feel like a long-term career move.

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