Social Policy Researchers, Consultants, and Program Officers
(NOC 4164)
in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community ServicesSocial policy researchers, consultants and program officers conduct research, develop policy and implement or administer programs in areas like consumer affairs, employment, home economics, immigration, law enforcement, corrections, human rights, housing, labour, family services, foreign aid and international development. They work for government departments and agencies, industry, hospitals, educational institutions, consulting firms, professional associations, research institutes, non-government organizations and international organizations or they may be self-employed.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$18.95
Minimum$33.33
Median$49.45
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,549
Minimum$55,844
Median$88,167
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$16.30
Minimum$30.00
Median$51.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,616
Minimum$44,335
Median$92,599
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers conduct research, develop policy and implement or administer programs in areas like consumer affairs, employment, home economics, immigration, law enforcement, corrections, human rights, housing, labour, family services, foreign aid and international development. They work for government departments and agencies, industry, hospitals, educational institutions, consulting firms, professional associations, research institutes, non-government organizations and international organizations or they may be self-employed.
Job duties
Social policy researchers:
- Develop social programs and policies, social legislation, or proposals based on demographic, social and economic research, analysis, and the evaluation of pilot projects.
Home economists:
- Help consumers select and use food products, textiles, and other consumer goods and teach household management skills. They may also consult on the development and promotion of new food products, retail buying, social program administration, and small business endeavours.
Housing policy analysts:
- Identify and assess economic, demographic, and social developments and report on their implications for housing policy.
International aid and development project officers:
- Plan, organize and administer foreign aid and international development policies and programs.
Social survey researchers:
- Develop questionnaires, coordinate and conduct surveys, analyse data, and compile and interpret statistics on social issues and policy areas.
Social services planners:
- Conduct research, develop social programs, assess, coordinate, and develop awareness of existing social services, and make sure service duplication is avoided. They may also work with land use planners to determine the effect of major land use plans for transportation, housing, and recreational facilities projects.
Sample job titles
- child-care services liaison officer
- citizenship officer
- consumer advisor
- employment equity consultant
- employment standards specialist
- human rights specialist
- job creation and employment services evaluation officer
- labour policy analyst
- social policy analyst
- social survey researcher
Skills
- You should be organized, resourceful, and able to co-operate with others in a team. You must be able to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing. You will need an interest in research and familiarity with computers. Advanced computer and technical skills for data manipulation and statistical analysis may be required in some positions.
Job requirements
- A bachelor's degree or college diploma in a social science, or related discipline, or in business administration is usually required.
- A master's degree in a social science or related discipline or in business administration may be required.
- Home economists require a bachelor's degree in home economics, home economics education, human ecology, nutrition and food sciences or family and consumer studies.
- Registration is available, but voluntary, for home economists.
- Certified immigration consultants must be registered members of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants.
Other considerations
- Many of the jobs in these jobs rely upon government funding. Therefore, changes in government spending levels will affect job opportunities for policy and program officers. Progression to managerial positions is possible with experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$57,017 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$55,674 median annual incomeCape Breton
$61,180 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$44,568 median annual incomeSouthern
$57,257 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Public administration
Finance and insurance
Other services (except public administration)
Health care and social assistance
Professional, scientific and technical services
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Bachelor
$56,689 median annual incomeMaster
$66,896 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$60,199 median annual incomeHigh school
$44,676 median annual incomeDiploma Above Bachelor
$68,624 median annual incomeCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor
$45,929 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$35,398 median annual incomeMaster
$71,043 median annual incomeHigh school
$29,055 median annual incomeDoctorate
$100,443 median annual incomeEducation & training
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