41400 Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers

What this occupation covers

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.

Official main duties

The NOC profile lists 13 main duties for this code.

• 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.
• 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 teach safe work procedures, participate in emergency response planning, testify at hearings and report findings at scientific conferences or in scientific journals.
• Advise clients on elements of patent law and on the patentability of inventions
• Conduct patent searches
• Prepare patent applications
• Represent clients before the patent office.
• Transfer and integrate new technologies, usually from university or government research and development environments, to commercial and industrial applications and ensure the protection of intellectual property of researchers and developers.
• Conduct research and advise on policies or develop or administer programs related to transportation, emergency preparedness, communications, natural resources, agriculture, the environment, traditional and alternative energy technologies, land use, recycling and other scientific fields
• Promote public awareness and education on issues such as utilization of natural resources, the environment, and reprocessing and reduction of waste.

Do not copy these lines into your reference letter. The letter has to describe what you actually did, in your employer’s words. DUTYPROOF flags wording lifted from the NOC as something to review, and an officer reading a letter that mirrors the NOC reads it the same way.

What DUTYPROOF screens for

This is DUTYPROOF’s screening threshold, not IRCC’s decision. For this NOC, screening requires at least 2 of its 13 official duties to be evidenced in your own words, plus the required letter elements. IRCC asks that you performed the actions in the occupation’s lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties — so treat the duty coverage as the number that matters, not the badge.

Codes this one is confused with

The NOC profile names these itself. Choosing the wrong code of a look-alike pair is the most common way genuine work experience fails to establish eligibility.

• 20011 Architecture and science managers
• 21320 Chemical engineers
• 21310 Electrical and electronics engineers
• 41404 Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers
• 41101 Lawyers and Quebec notaries

Excluded from this code

• Architecture and science managers (See 20011 Architecture and science managers)
• Chemical engineers (See 21320 Chemical engineers)
• Civil and mechanical engineers (See 2130 Civil and mechanical engineers)
• Electrical and electronics engineers (See 21310 Electrical and electronics engineers)
• Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers (See 41404 Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers)
• Life science professionals (See 2111 Life science professionals)
• Other engineers (See 2139 Other engineers)
• Patent lawyer (See 41101 Lawyers and Quebec notaries)
• Physical science professionals (See 2110 Physical science professionals)

Job titles filed under this code

A title on this list does not by itself put your experience in this code — the duties in your letter decide that.

agricultural association analyst · agricultural issues lobbyist · bioscience officer - Canadian Armed Forces · certified ergonomist · certified industrial hygienist · communications policy researcher · disaster emergency response planner · emergency management analyst · emergency preparedness planner · energy policy analyst · energy program officer · environmental advisor (except engineer) · environmental consultant (except engineer) · environmental education consultant · environmental impact analyst · environmental issues lobbyist · environmental lobbyist · environmental program coordinator · environmental program development supervisor · environmental program manager · environmental project manager · ergonomics consultant · ergonomics specialist · ergonomist

Employment requirements

• 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.
• 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.