Education Policy Researchers, Consultants, and Program Officers
(NOC 4166)
in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community ServicesEducation policy researchers, consultants, and program officers conduct research, produce reports, and administer education policies and programs. They work for government departments, school regions, research institutes, professional associations, and other organizations throughout the public and private sectors, or they may be self-employed.
Job Outlook
Good
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Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “good”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is better than average when compared to other occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia, with employment around 1,000. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow significantly over the next few years, which will provide additional opportunities for employment. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Education Policy Researchers, Consultants, and Program Officers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common. With employment conditions being somewhat seasonal, periods of downtime or layoff throughout the year affect some workers. Also, a large percentage of the workforce is self-employed, which should be an important consideration for those thinking about employment in the occupation.
The median employment income for 52% of Education Policy Researchers, Consultants, and Program Officers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $71,125. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$20.00
Minimum$35.16
Median$56.41
MaximumAnnual Pay
$14,884
Minimum$62,210
Median$93,991
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$14.74
Minimum$33.28
Median$46.76
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,616
Minimum$44,335
Median$92,599
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Education policy researchers, consultants, and program officers conduct research, produce reports, and administer education policies and programs. They work for government departments, school regions, research institutes, professional associations, and other organizations throughout the public and private sectors, or they may be self-employed.
Job duties
Education policy researchers, consultants, and program officers:
- Conduct research, produce reports, and administer education policies and programs.
- Evaluate curriculum programs and recommend improvements.
- Develop the structure, content, and objectives of new programs.
- Use statistical analyses to determine cost and effectiveness of education policies and programs.
- Provide ongoing professional development, training and consulting services to teachers and other professionals throughout the public and private sector.
- Develop teaching materials and other resources for program delivery.
- Present at conferences, workshops, and symposia.
- May supervise the work of other education policy researchers, consultants, or program officers.
- May administer specialized testing and assessment programs.
Sample job titles
- curriculum consultant
- education policy analyst
- education program coordinator
- education program officer
- education researcher
- learning disabilities consultant
- school inspector
- special education consultant
- student services consultant
- teaching consultant
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 in education or in a discipline like social science or business administration is required.
- A master's degree in education may be required.
- Specialized training or certification may be required.
- A Nova Scotia teacher's certificate may be required.
Other considerations
- Part-time employment is relatively common for this group. Several years of experience as a school teacher are usually required. 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
$61,252 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$67,907 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$39,534 median annual incomeCape Breton
$70,881 median annual incomeSouthern
$65,886 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Educational services
Public administration
Health care and social assistance
Professional, scientific and technical services
Other services (except public administration)
What is the age of Employment?
55-64
45-54
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
Master
$79,404 median annual incomeBachelor
$48,749 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$48,780 median annual incomeHigh school
$43,028 median annual incomeDiploma Above Bachelor
N/ACompared 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
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare individuals to teach adult students in various settings, including basic and remedial education programs, continuing education programs, and programs designed to develop or upgrade specific employment-related knowledge and skills.
Institutions providing this program
Business Administration and Management
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. They include courses in management theory, human resources management and behaviour, accounting and other quantitative methods, purchasing and logistics, organization and production, marketing, and business decision-making.
Institutions providing this program
Lower Sackville, NS
Halifax, NS
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Truro, NS
Various, NS
Curriculum and Instruction
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs focus on the curriculum and related instructional processes and tools and prepares students to serve as professional curriculum specialists. They include courses in curriculum theory, curriculum design and planning, instructional material design and evaluation, curriculum evaluation, and applications to specific subject matter, programs or educational levels.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Education - General
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the general theory and practice of learning and teaching, the basic principles of educational psychology, the art of teaching, the planning and administration of educational activities, school safety and health issues, and the social foundations of education.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Educational Statistics and Research Methods
University ProgramThese programs focus on applying statistics to the analysis educational research problems, and the development of technical designs for research studies. They include courses in mathematical statistics, research design, computer applications, instrument design, research methodologies, and applications to research problems in specific education subjects.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the dynamic social relations between and among majority and minority groups and different minority groups, and ways to promote mutual tolerance, inter-group cooperation, and the leadership and management of diverse groups and diversity issues in family, educational, recreational, and work settings. They include courses in ethnic and cultural studies, group psychology, sociology, anthropology, conflict resolution, human services and resources, and applications to various functional environments.
Institutions providing this program
Junior High and High School Education and Teaching
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare individuals to teach students in the secondary grades, which include grades seven through twelve. This includes preparation to teach a comprehensive curriculum or specific subject matter.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Linguistics
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on language, language development, and relationships among languages and language groups from a humanistic and/or scientific perspective. They include courses in subjects such as psycholinguistics, behavioural linguistics, language acquisition, sociolinguistics, mathematical and computational linguistics, grammatical theory and theoretical linguistics, philosophical linguistics, philology and historical linguistics, comparative linguistics, phonetics, phonemics, dialectology, semantics, functional grammar and linguistics, language typology, lexicography, morphology and syntax, orthography, stylistics, structuralism, rhetoric, and applications to artificial intelligence.
Institutions providing this program
Public Administration
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to serve as managers in the executive arm of government and focus on the systematic study of executive organization and management. They include courses in the roles, development, and principles of public administration, the management of public policy, executive-legislative relations, public budgetary processes and financial management, administrative law, public personnel management, professional ethics, and research methods.
Institutions providing this program
Sydney, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Special Requirements: Nova Scotia Teacher Certification is required to work in the public school system. Certification may be required by other education related employers.
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.