Air Traffic Management (ATM) Performance Ethnographer

Job Posting Title

Air Traffic Management (ATM) Performance Ethnographer

Job Category

Operational Support

Language Requirements

English / Anglais

English is required / L'anglais est requis

Flexible Work Agreement Type

Hybrid / Hybride

Posting End Date

2026-03-23

Job Grade

PIPSC-4

Pay Range

$127,829 - $160,581

Job Summary

The Air Traffic Management (ATM) Ethnographer provides expert insight and strategic recommendations to senior leadership, supporting evidence-based decision making across NAV CANADA. This role applies anthropological and ethnographic research methodologies, and extensive knowledge of socio-technical systems to analyze how social structures, culture, human agency, and technology continuously shape ATM performance outcomes.

The position leads ethnographic research projects, contributes to the evolution of the ATM Performance framework through improved social-technical analytical capabilities and supports the innovation of ATM Performance based decision support tools.

Additionally, this role:
• Provides guidance and mentorship to team members.
• Provides qualitative and quantitative methodological insights to projects and initiatives.
• Facilitates cross disciplinary research to drive clarity and decision-making
• Exercises flexibility in research methodology by designing and utilizing generative studies or evaluative research, appropriately.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders.
• Represents NAV CANADA in national and international forums.

Job Description

What NAV CANADA offers you:

• Challenging, team-oriented work environment
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Defined benefit pension plan
• Opportunities for growth and development
• Flexible work arrangements
• Diverse and inclusive workforce

Key Accountabilities:

• Collaboratively conduct qualitative, quantitative, and predictive analyses on issues impacting ATM system performance, organizational performance, revenue, air traffic, and air navigation services.
• Monitor economic, environmental, regulatory, cultural and global aviation trends to inform organizational strategy.
• Integrate safety data with operational datasets to develop balanced, evidence-based recommendations.
• Research and apply industry best practices and emerging analytics trends to enhance performance reporting.
• Provide expert analytical advice to senior management, influencing strategic direction, policies, and standards.
• Prepare clear, high-quality reports and presentations for senior leadership and international partners (ICAO, CANSO, IATA).
• Advise on complex issues across ATM performance, finance, operations, technology, and innovation.
• Lead analytical projects and cross-functional initiatives, ensuring access to required data and tools.
• Build and maintain industry networks and represent NAV CANADA in external meetings and working groups.
• Lead collaborative data-sharing and analytics initiatives with internal and external stakeholders.
• Evaluate proposals affecting the aviation industry and advocate NAV CANADA’s position.
• Mentor analysts and support training on self-serve analytical tools.
• Coordinate team priorities and promote strategic thinking aligned with organizational goals.
• Drive continuous improvement in analysis, reporting, and performance measurement tools.
• Support development of data standards, definitions, and verification processes.
• Lead anthropological and ethnographic socio-technical analytical methodology ideation, innovation and development initiatives.

Job Requirements

Education:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Anthropology, Sociology, Interdisciplinary Studies or an acceptable combination of education, experience, and training in ethnography and the analysis of socio-technical systems

Experience:

• 5-8 years of relevant experience in data analysis, performance reporting, and statistical measurement, including data collection and validation.
• Experience with anthropological and ethnographic data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research, synthesizing findings, and preparing detailed reports and presentations.
• Proven ability to communicate complex analytical outcomes to all levels of management and external stakeholders.
• Experience building collaborative networks and working relationships across internal and external partners.

Knowledge:

• Thorough understanding of anthropological and ethnographic data collection, validation, analytical tools, technologies, and reporting techniques.
• Either expert knowledge of the aviation industry and Canada’s Air Navigation System, or the willingness to learn.
• Either extensive knowledge of NAV CANADA’s structure, information flows, and data sources, or the willingness to learn.

Abilities:

• Strong ability to synthesize large datasets and integrate qualitative and quantitative analyses.
• Ability to identify complex problems, develop options, and implement solutions across diverse subject areas.
• Skilled in communicating insights verbally, visually, and in writing to varied audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership in project management, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to apply long-term strategic perspective to analytical work and recommendations.

Personal Suitability:

• High degree of initiative, judgement, reliability, and accountability.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy, and the ability to build cooperation across teams.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to adjust priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Quality-focused, team-oriented, and committed to continuous improvement.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate future needs and implications.

Working conditions:

• Travel required to conduct ethnographic research and analysis as well as to attend meetings outside the office.

Flexible work arrangements:

• This position is a hybrid position with a minimum 3 days per week on site.

NAV CANADA is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. If you do not believe that you match every job requirement listed on this job posting, we still encourage you to apply. NAV CANADA encourages a culture of learning and growth, and recognizes that although some technical skills are mandatory, many others can be taught.

Our Company strives to create an inclusive and barrier-free selection process and work environment. If you require accommodations during this competition process, please ensure that you inform the interview coordinator or hiring manager of any accommodation measures you may require. NAV CANADA will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to applicants with disabilities as required.

The successful candidate must meet the security requirement of the position and be legally able to work in Canada.

We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for next steps will be contacted.

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