Data Analyst (Co-op Student)

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians.  Along with our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre, we’re committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on continual improvements within the Health System, the department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, regulate and monitor to improve access and service delivery.  

One of the Department of Health and Wellness’s (DHW) mandates is to ensure the delivery of collaborative health care to communities through Emergency Health Services, including medical communications, medical first response, ground and air ambulance, and other programs. DHW is responsible for setting standards, developing policies, funding, and regulatory oversight of the Emergency Health Services (EHS) system and the vendor contracted to operate the EHS system.  

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager, EHS Data and Accountability, the Co-op Student will support a range of data, reporting, and research activities that help monitor Emergency Health Services system performance and support evidence-informed decision-making. In this role, you will gain practical experience working with health system data, dashboards, reporting tools, and business processes in a public sector environment. You will contribute to projects involving data collection, data cleaning, analysis, visualization, and summary reporting, while working closely with team members and stakeholders across EHS, the Department of Health and Wellness, and partner organizations. This is an excellent opportunity for a student interested in health analytics, performance measurement, public policy, or applied research.

Primary Accountabilities

• Assist with collecting, organizing, validating, and documenting data from a variety of sources used for EHS reporting and performance monitoring.
• Support the preparation of clear, accurate, and user-friendly reports, dashboards, summaries, and presentation materials for internal and external stakeholders.
• Help clean, analyze, and interpret data to identify trends, patterns, and issues that support program planning, accountability, and service improvement.
• Contribute to ad hoc analyses, background research, literature scans, and environmental scans related to EHS programs, policies, and performance measures.
• Work with team members to improve data processes, reporting tools, and documentation practices, including support for ongoing quality assurance activities.
• As an asset area, support basic geographic analysis or GIS-based work to help visualize service patterns and map data where appropriate.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

You are currently enrolled in a post-secondary co-op program in a relevant field such as data analytics, statistics, health informatics, computer science, information management, geography, public health, business analytics, or a related discipline. You must be eligible to complete a co-op work term as part of your academic program. We are looking for a student with strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, curiosity, and a willingness to learn in a collaborative team environment.

As the ideal candidate, you have strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. You are comfortable working with data and using Microsoft 365 tools such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau, and familiarity with SQL, Python, or R, would be considered strong assets.

Experience gained through coursework, academic projects, internships, research assistant roles, or previous co-op terms in data analysis, reporting, programming, or visualization will be considered an asset. Familiarity with GIS tools or spatial analysis for mapping data is also considered an asset.

You demonstrate sound judgment, professionalism, and a commitment to confidentiality when working with information. You can manage multiple tasks, communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences, and contribute positively to a fast-paced and collaborative work environment. An interest in health services, public sector work, performance reporting, or applied research will be considered an asset.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Eligibility

To be considered, you must be enrolled in a recognized post-secondary co-op education program and be eligible to participate in a co-op work term during the hiring period.

Please clearly indicate your program, school, and co-op eligibility in your application.

• Students enrolled in undergraduate or college diploma programs in relevant disciplines are encouraged to apply.
• Students with demonstrated interest in data analysis, visualization, health systems, research, or GIS mapping are encouraged to highlight relevant coursework or projects.
  
  

Applicants should clearly describe their education, co-op eligibility, technical skills, and any relevant academic, volunteer, research, or project experience in their application.

Benefits

Student will be paid 4% in lieu of benefits and vacation.

Working Conditions

Most of your time will be spent in a comfortable office setting. The standard work week is 35 hours. 

Additional Information

One student co-op opportunity is available. The initial term is expected to be 4 months, with flexibility to extend to 8 months.

What We Offer

• Meaningful hands-on experience supporting data, reporting, and accountability work in a provincial health system environment.
• Mentorship and learning opportunities with experienced professionals in data analysis, reporting, and public sector decision support.
• Exposure to real-world tools, processes, and projects that help build your technical and professional skills.
• A collaborative and supportive workplace that values curiosity, continuous learning, and student development.