Principal Data Scientist

Position Details

• Job Type: Full-Time
• Location: Waterloo
• Department: Strategy, Performance and Partnerships
• Division: Public Health and Paramedic Services
• Hours of Work: 35 hours per week
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm (hybrid - 3 days per week in office)
• Salary Range: $57.37 - $71.72 per hour ($104,413.40 - $130,530.40 per year)
• Posting Date: October 6, 2026
• Closing Date: October 13, 2026
• Union: Management/Management Support
• Grade: Management/Management Support Grade 07

About Us

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.

Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051. Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

The Role

Provides leadership and expertise to the Department regarding analytical and data solutions, by leading the development and integration of machine learning algorithms, statistical and AI models, and automation and process improvement initiatives to support innovation, improve service delivery, and inform business planning and strategy. Determines approach and selection of analytical methods and evaluates the operational, financial, service-level, workforce, and equity implications of analytical findings to support fiscally responsible program planning, resource allocation, and decision-making.

Partners with departmental business leaders to understand organizational challenges and provide evidence-based recommendations; supports business cases, investment decisions, grant and funding applications, and performance reporting by translating data into clear assessments of anticipated costs, benefits, risks, savings, service impacts, and return on investment. Designs and conducts experiments to support innovation, improve service delivery, and evaluate new approaches.

Guides Epidemiologists, Health Data Analysts, and technical ITS teams in the building and maintaining of data pipelines and infrastructure; stays current with developments in data science, AI tools, and industry practices; and builds and refines machine learning and AI models to support prediction and decision-making. Ensures analytical solutions are prioritized and implemented in a manner that supports sustainable operating budgets, funding requirements, legislative obligations, and the effective use of public resources.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Performs data analysis using standard tools such as Python, SQL, R, and related technologies to support evidence-based decision-making across the Department.
• Develops analyses, forecasts, dashboards, and performance measures that inform operating and capital planning, service and program prioritization, workload and capacity planning.
• Identifies opportunities for efficiencies, cost avoidance, process redesign, and improved use of organizational resources.
• Leads the management and coordination of Business Intelligence (BI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and data warehouse activities, ensuring data systems, reporting environments, and analytical capabilities are effectively maintained and aligned with organizational needs.
• Provides analytical leadership for business cases and decision materials related to data, analytics, automation, AI, and digital investments, including defining expected benefits, implementation costs, ongoing operating requirements, risks, dependencies, and measurable outcomes.
• Supports the development, monitoring, and evaluation of externally funded initiatives, including grant applications, funding proposals, required performance measures, and reports to program areas, senior leadership, and Council, where applicable.
• Provides support and guidance to staff on data analysis and data visualization techniques and collaborates across teams to strengthen analytical practices and improve the quality and consistency of data use throughout the Department.
• Develops and applies machine learning techniques to support departmental priorities, automation projects, and other innovation initiatives.
• Builds and refines machine learning and AI models to support prediction and decision-making; works with Epidemiologists, Health Data Analysts, program managers, and other stakeholders to integrate analytical solutions into operations and service delivery.
• Provides expertise in statistical methods and research techniques.
• Supports the Research Ethics Board review process and delivers training in BI, AI, machine learning, data visualization, and data analysis, as required.
• Assesses and prioritizes AI, machine learning, and automation opportunities based on organizational need, feasibility, privacy and security requirements, implementation effort, anticipated financial and operational benefits, impacts on staff roles and workloads, and alignment with approved priorities.

Work Conditions

The successful candidate will be required to travel to Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health’s Guelph office and may be required to work onsite in Guelph on a regular or as-needed basis, depending on operational requirements.

How to Apply

Please apply before the closing date October 13, 2026. Details for submitting applications are available on our careers website.

Accommodation

The Region of Waterloo is committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact the Human Resources department to arrange suitable accommodations.