What Is the ES Development Program
MAKE A CAREER IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the ES Development Program at Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)?
The ES Recruitment and Development Program (ESDP) aims to enhance recruitment and retention of highly skilled epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and policy analysts. Its main thrust is to build PHAC’s ES workforce for the future.
The ESDP is a competency-based training program which permits career progression and advancement for participants.
- Why is there a need for an ESDP at PHAC?
With baby boomer employees retiring en masse in the next few years, the need for competent public health employees is expected to continue to grow. At the present time, there is a significant shortage of resources. With the ESDP, PHAC wants to build tomorrow’s public health workforce today.
- How will the ESDP benefit me?
For the participants, the ESDP will open the door to new opportunities for a career in public health at the federal level. ESDP participants will gain skills for independent public health practice at PHAC. They will have access to a structured learning and development plan, and supervision and mentoring by highly skilled practitioners.
- What are the criteria for entry into the ESDP?
See degree requirements above. Candidates must meet the statement of merit criteria established for the competition.
Previous public health work experience may be required for some recruitment campaigns.
- Is the ESDP a competency-based program?
Training is the cornerstone of the ESDP. It is a competency-based program with competency profiles developed for each level. Participants are required to meet the competency requirements for a given level before being promoted to that level.
Each participant has a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) identifying the job assignments and training required to achieve the specified competencies.
- Does the Program incorporate language training?
No; not at this time. Participants find it challenging to meet the demands of the development program and the demands of language training.
- How will placements be determined?
Successful ESDP candidates rank placements, and placements rank candidates. Each candidate receives one of his/her top three placement choices through a matching process between managers and candidates.
- How will my performance be assessed?
The participant’s Manager will complete a performance-based assessment for the participant every six months.
- How will I progress from one level to the next? Who decides?
ESDP participants are expected to meet the competency requirements for a given level before being promoted to that level. The Manager conducts performance-based assessments every six months to determine if the participant has reached the competencies of the next level.
The ESDP Qualification Assessment Board renders the final decision to promote the participant or makes recommendations for further training and development.
- What are the timelines for promotion from one level to the next?
The timelines for promotion may vary considerably based on the participant’s experience and skills.
However, it is projected that approximate periods for promotion from ES-02 to ES-03 level could be 12 to 18 months, and from ES-03 to ES-04 level could be 12 to 24 months.
For more information, contact phtrain@phac-aspc.gc.ca 
or call toll free: 1-877-430-9995.
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