Data Scientist (Data Science & Informatics Specialist 2)

Washington State Department of Transportation

Olympia (WA)

Hybrid

USD 89,000 - 120,000

Full time

16 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Basic life insurance

Retirement plans

Job summary

Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board in Washington state seeks a Data Scientist to design and execute statewide research projects informing state policymaking and funding streams. You will lead complex analyses, develop advanced statistical models, and translate data into actionable recommendations for executive leadership.

You will also manage agency DSAs, participate in cross-agency data integration, and present findings at conferences to foster collaboration and continuous

Qualifications

8+ years combined education and/or experience in social science research with quantitative methods.
2+ years professional experience using SAS, SPSS, STATA, or R.
2+ years experience with relational databases (Access/Oracle/SQL).
Demonstrated leadership in team and project management.
Experience with linear and logistic regression on complex datasets.
Ability to communicate complex findings through concise summaries and presentations.

Responsibilities

Design advanced statistical models for performance management, program evaluation, and survey design to inform state policymaking.
Lead multidisciplinary project teams and oversee economic and statistical research initiatives.
Translate analyses into strategic findings and recommendations for executive management and board members.
Develop statistical procedures ensuring databases and policies comply with regulations.
Present findings to leadership, boards, and stakeholders.

Skills

Statistical software (SAS/SPSS/STATA/R

Leadership

Regression analysis

Data storytelling

Database design

Education

Education in quantitative social science

Eight years combined education in related fields

Tools

SQL databases (Access/Oracle/SQL)

Job description

Salary: $7,973.00 - $10,721.00 Monthly

Location: Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type: Full Time - Permanent

Job Number: 2026-WTB-003

Department: Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board

Opening Date: 09/16/2026

Closing Date: 10/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Data Scientist (Data Science & Informatics Specialist 2)

Monday - Friday | 8AM - 5PM | HYBRID

Note: The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the required posting period, and during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.

About the Opportunity

As a Data Scientist, you will independently design and execute complex, statewide research projects that directly inform state policymaking and impact critical state and federal funding streams. Utilizing advanced statistical techniques, sophisticated systems, and rigorous analytical models, you will drive performance management, program evaluation, and survey design, translating data into actionable findings and strategic recommendations for executive leadership, board members, and external stakeholders. Beyond research execution, you will serve as the primary lead for agency data sharing agreements (DSAs), represent the agency on cross-agency data integration workgroups, and present findings at conferences and partner networks to foster collaboration and continuous process improvement.

Duties

Serve as one of the agency's Data Scientists, designing advanced statistical models for performance management, program evaluation, and survey design to inform state policymaking.
Direct multidisciplinary project teams and lead comprehensive economic and statistical research initiatives.
Translate complex data analyses into strategic findings and actionable recommendations for executive management and board members.
Develop statistical business procedures while ensuring agency databases and policies comply with state and federal regulations.
Lead multidisciplinary research teams as the primary researcher, overseeing projects from execution to final presentation.
Translate complex results into data visualizations and present key findings and recommendations to executive leadership, board members, and stakeholders.
Manage and maintain compliant agency data sharing agreements (DSAs) by identifying research data needs and collaborating with partners to ensure strict confidentiality and security.
Represent the agency on cross-agency workgroups to drive data integration solutions and streamline DSA processes.
Other duties as needed.

Required Qualifications

Eight (8) years of combined related education and/or experience. Related experience includes experience as a researcher in the social science field, and/or experience using quantitative research methods which include multivariate regression analysis.
Eight (8) years of combined related education. Related education includes education in quantitative social science, or related field.
Two (2) years of professional experience using statistical software like SAS, SPSS, STATA, or R.
One (1) year of experience using relational databases like Access, Oracle, or SQL.
Demonstrated leadership experience in team and project management.
Experience designing, managing, and working with complex administrative, demographic, and multi-source longitudinal databases.
Experience with applying advanced statistical methods, including linear and logistic regression models, to analyze complex data sets.
Experience communicating complex findings clearly through concise summaries and data-focused presentations for diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

One (1) year of experience analyzing aggregate employment or training data.
Experience with design and analysis of survey data.
Experience in cost estimation for research projects and activities.

Company Culture

The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board) is a tri-partite board (business, labor, and government), and cabinet agency created to provide objective planning, coordination, evaluation, monitoring, policy analysis and advocacy across Washington's comprehensive workforce development system in support of Washington's workers, jobseekers, businesses, and communities. The Workforce Board engages a wide range of state, local, and federal agencies, business, labor, community-based organizations, and others representing system customers to inform our work. Board and agency staff maintain a laser focus on the state's economic strength, the availability of a strong and responsive talent pipeline, and on equitable access to that pipeline for every Washingtonian.

Contact Information

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact George Deguzman via email at Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance.
There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses.
Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.

Retirement And Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro‑rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave