Data Scientist (EXEC AIDE V)

MD; Maryland; On-site; USD 130,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Maryland seeks a Data Scientist to join the Government Modernization Initiative (GMI) team, building scalable data pipelines and analytical models for GOPI projects. The role focuses on modernizing state government operations, saving taxpayer dollars, and improving service delivery.

Ideal candidates have strong data engineering and analytics skills, experience with ML/AI in production, and comfort working in agile government environments, collaborating with agency leadership on key

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related field; substitution allowed with 5 extra years of experience.
• 2+ years in Data Engineering/Data Science or similar; 1+ year building ML models/LLM apps in production.
• Fluency in Python and/or R for data analysis and modeling.
• Experience with MCP servers for AI agent integration.
• Hands-on experience with managed enterprise AI suites (AWS Bedrock or Google Cloud AI / Gemini).
• Excellent communication and multitasking skills.

Responsibilities

• Support leadership to achieve Government Modernization Initiative goals.
• Lead scalable data extraction, management, and analysis for modernization projects.
• Provide data-driven insights to inform decisions and policy.
• Develop data science and research projects to address policy challenges.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Data engineering

Python/R

Agile government

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Data Science

Tools

AWS Bedrock

Google Cloud AI / Gemini

MCP servers

Job description

Introduction

The GMI Data Scientist is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of the Governor.

The successful candidate will work as part of the Government Modernization Initiative (GMI) team to build scalable data pipelines and analytical models to support GMI’s projects.

The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical and data engineering skills and has familiarity with working in agile government settings.

GRADE

Grade 24; Range: $129,985 - $137,943

LOCATION OF POSITION

Annapolis, MD

POSITION DUTIES

General Purpose: The GMI Data Scientist will focus on using data to modernize state government operations in order to save taxpayer dollars, create operational efficiencies, and improve service delivery across Maryland state government. This position sits in the Executive Office of Governor Wes Moore, within the Governor’s Office of Performance Improvement (GOPI).

Responsibilities

• Support the Director and Deputy Director in problem solving to accomplish the goals of the Government Modernization Initiative.�
• Lead efforts to develop scalable, innovative approaches to extracting, managing and analyzing data for government modernization and performance improvement projects Conduct observational and statistical analyses using appropriate software and/or programming languages to test hypotheses, predict outcomes, and inform decisions�
• Provide expertise to support data-driven decisions and policy�
• Drive the development of data science and research analysis projects to glean insight into pressing issues and policy areas in order to support the formulation of thoughtful solutions�
• Work hand-in-hand with department leadership on specific GMI projects to understand the data they currently collect and work to leverage these data for improving defined challenges and achieving outcomes�
• Work hand-in-hand with agencies on specific government modernization initiatives, including supporting strategy development and initiative design and execution.�
• Drive the development of data science and research analysis projects to glean insight into pressing issues and policy areas in order to support the formulation of thoughtful solutions�
• Conduct observational and statistical analyses using appropriate software and/or programming languages to test hypotheses, predict outcomes, and inform decisions�
• Obtain, evaluate, and interpret data and reports from various systems, assessing relevant data source validity and reliability to meet government modernization project needs�
• Provide expertise to support data-driven decisions and policy�
• Identify delivery obstacles and work with the Government Modernization Initiative to address�
• Identify indicators to test findings and hypotheses relevant to the government modernization and performance improvement projects

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field.

Experience

• At least two (2) years of experience as a Data Engineer, Data Scientist, or similar role, preferably in a public sector setting.�
• At least one (1) year of hands‑on experience building, deploying, and maintaining machine learning models, LLM applications, or agentic AI solutions in production.�
• Fluency in scripting languages suitable for data analysis and modeling, such as Python and/or R.�
• Demonstrated experience building or working with Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers to enable seamless tool and data integration for AI agents.�
• Hands‑on experience with managed enterprise AI suites, specifically AWS Bedrock (including AgentCore) or Google Cloud AI / Gemini Ecosystem (including custom Gemini Gems and AI Studio).�
• Excellent ability to simplify complex concepts, formulate options and recommendations, and communicate effectively across all levels of management.�
• Excellent planning and organizational skills with a proven ability to multitask effectively.

Note: Candidates may substitute 5 additional years of experience as defined above for the education requirement

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of a master’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Public Policy, Analytics, Computer Science, or a related field.�
• Experience working within or closely with government agencies or large institutions is highly preferred.�
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a proven ability to facilitate meetings, build consensus, and navigate complex organizational environments.�
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position.�It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.�Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The State of Maryland is committed to diversity among its staff, and recognizes that its continued success requires the highest commitment to obtaining and retaining a diverse staff that provides the best quality services to supporters and constituents. The State of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer and it is our policy to recruit, hire, train, promote and administer any and all personnel actions without regard to sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, ethnic identity or disability, or any other legally protected basis. The State of Maryland is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the hiring process and on the job, as required by applicable law. The State of Maryland will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination and any such conduct is strictly prohibited.