Data Scientist

State of Connecticut - Office of Governmental Accountability; Clay Arsenal (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Connecticut Office of Correction Ombudsman within the Office of Government Accountability (OGA) is seeking a Data Scientist in Hartford to strengthen oversight of the state's correctional system. The role emphasizes data collection, analysis, and report production to identify trends and inform policy decisions.

You will develop research projects, maintain databases, and produce dashboards and presentations for internal and external stakeholders, including hearings and public reports.

Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of professional experience in data analytics, quantitative methods, or geographic information systems.
• Experience developing databases, data tracking systems, dashboards, or data visualization tools.
• Experience conducting research in criminal justice, public policy, or related government or social services.

Responsibilities

• Performs data collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation from multiple sources.
• Develops and maintains databases, tracking systems, and tools to monitor complaints, investigations, trends, and outcomes.
• Prepares statistical, narrative, and graphical presentations for reports, hearings, and publications.
• Designs research projects on conditions of confinement, correctional operations, health care, complaints, investigations, and related areas.
• Provides data support for investigations, legislative initiatives, policy recommendations, and public reports.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Data analysis

Programming languages

dashboards / visualizations

Spatial analysis tools

Policy translation

Education

Bachelor's degree in data science, statistics, or related field

Job description

Introduction

The Connecticut Office of Correction Ombudsman within the Office of Government Accountability (OGA) is accepting applications for a Data Scientist in Hartford.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
• Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Monday-Friday.
• Full Time, 40 hours/week.
• First Shift, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Location: 55 Farmington Avenue in Hartford, CT.
• The position will be primarily based at the Office of the Correction Ombuds in Hartford. Occasional attendance at correctional facilities, meetings, hearings, or other off-site locations may be required based on operational needs. Remote work may be available consistent with state policy and the operational needs of the Office.

THE ROLE

The Data Scientist will support the Office’s oversight mission through research, data collection and analysis, development of performance measures, identification of trends and systemic issues, and preparation of reports and other research products concerning Connecticut’s correctional system.

The role includes:

• Develops and conducts research projects related to conditions of confinement, correctional operations, health care, complaints, investigations, and other areas within the jurisdiction of the Office of the Correction Ombuds.
• Collects, organizes, analyzes, and interprets quantitative and qualitative data obtained from the Department of Correction, Office complaint records, surveys, interviews, public records, and other sources.
• Develops and maintains databases, tracking systems, and other tools used to monitor complaints, investigations, recommendations, trends, and outcomes.
• Conducts statistical and trend analyses to identify systemic issues, disparities, patterns, and changes within Connecticut’s correctional system.
• Develops performance measures and methodologies for evaluating correctional programs, services, policies, practices, and conditions.
• Prepares statistical, narrative, and graphical presentations of research findings for reports, presentations, hearings, and other Office publications.
• Assists with the development and analysis of surveys and other research instruments used to obtain information from incarcerated individuals and other stakeholders.
• Conducts research regarding correctional policies, practices, programs, and relevant state and national trends.
• Provides research and data support for Office investigations, systemic reviews, legislative initiatives, policy recommendations, and public reports.

ABOUT US

The Office of the Correction Ombudsman is an independent state agency. We ensure fairness, safety, and accountability within Connecticut's jails, prisons, and other correctional facilities. Our office is not part of the Department of Correction (DOC). We are a neutral and separate office. Whether you are in a facility, a family member of someone incarcerated, or an advocate, we are here to help you. We listen to your stories, look into complaints about unfair treatment or poor conditions, and work hard to fix problems. If you or a loved one have an issue inside a Connecticut facility, contact us. Our team is here to protect your rights, support your well-being, and make sure your voice is heard.

Watch the video below to see what it's like to be a State of Connecticut employee!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is responsible for independently performing a full range of tasks in the data management, analysis, and predictive activities to support data‑driven decision‑making.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Applies statistical, analytical and data management principles and techniques to a variety of datasets and projects;
• Designs and develops data-driven projects and works with agency staff to understand and translate business problems, domain knowledge and management objectives into analytic projects;
• Prepares and uses established quantitative frameworks and computerized methods to analyze, summarize, visualize and interact with data to support business and client needs;
• Evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of standard analytical techniques;
• Conducts literature reviews and prepares summaries to support agency activities;
• Consults with agency staff on use of data and identifies risks and benefits of using such data and remedies that could offset any risks;
• Prepares project proposals, maintains databases and datasets, and develops reports for intra and extra departmental audiences;
• Assesses and implements technologies related to data preparation and analysis;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of

• methods of research design, statistical analysis and data management;
• management and development of principles related to data and analytics projects;
• relevant state and federal statutes, regulations and guidelines;
• data preparation and management and related tools and technology to implement data and analytics projects;
• data governance and data management practices;

Skills

• interpersonal skills;
• oral and written communication skills;

Ability to

• conduct analysis, including collecting and preparing data, and summarizing and reporting conclusions;
• perform data analysis including identifying and using appropriate data and quantitative frameworks to support program and/or policy decisions;
• use relevant software, tools for spatial analysis, and/or programming languages to run analyses and generate reports and visualizations;
• develop project designs and implement them independently;
• prepare clear and accurate summaries, visualizations, and dynamic reports or dashboards based on data findings;
• translate data and analysis into policy or program recommendations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of professional experience in data analytics, quantitative methods, or geographic information systems, involving statistical modeling or spatial data analysis.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the junior working level assisting in the performance of data management, analysis, and predictive activities to support data‑driven decision‑making.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of an Assistant Data Scientist.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training in data science, mathematics, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, public health, psychology, computer science, geographic information systems, geography, or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
• A Master’s degree in data science, mathematics, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, public health, psychology, computer science or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience conducting quantitative or qualitative research, including research design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Experience analyzing administrative, programmatic, operational, or other large datasets and preparing statistical and narrative reports.
• Experience developing or maintaining databases, data tracking systems, dashboards, or data visualization tools.
• Experience conducting research related to criminal justice, corrections, public policy, health and human services, or another governmental or social-services system.
• Experience preparing research findings, data analyses, policy analyses, or reports for executive, legislative, governmental, or public audiences.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.