Data Scientist – Local Government Analytics (Hybrid/Remote)

Polco; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental coverage

Medical coverage

Vision coverage

Hybrid work in Madison

Remote work across the US

Flexible hours

15 company holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

Polco is seeking a Data Scientist to synthesize advanced insights for local governments using descriptive, predictive, and causal analytics. The role involves working with Python, SQL, and cloud-based datasets (Snowflake) on a hybrid schedule, preferably from Madison, WI, with remote options across the US.

You will build predictive and causal models, automate data workflows with the engineering team, and present findings to internal and external stakeholders, driving data-informed decisions

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a quantitative field grounded in statistics (data science, statistics, economics, or similar).
• 2+ years of applied, non-academic industry experience in data science or quantitative analysis.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL (required).
• Working knowledge of R, or willingness to read and learn it.
• A solid statistics foundation and genuine interest in causal inference and model building.
• Experience building with agentic AI tools (e.g., Claude, Codex) and orchestrating analyses.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for stakeholders.
• Experience working in ambiguity and moving at startup pace.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and run Polco's recurring data processes, including GPAL and other analytic databases, survey weighting and benchmarking, and periodic model updates.
• Build and improve statistical and predictive models using GPAL and other databases.
• Conduct advanced client analytics projects including impact and causal-inference studies and communicate results clearly.
• Partner with Engineering to automate data workflows and make statistical tooling accessible across the company.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, Customer Success, and Survey Research on internal analytics like renewal models.
• Keep documentation organized and reproducible across the team and contribute to internal reporting tools.

Skills

Python

SQL

R

Statistics

Causal inference

Agentic AI tools

Communication

Ambiguity handling

Project management

Startup pace

Education

Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field

Tools

Snowflake

Job description

Polco is seeking a Data Scientist to synthesize advanced insights for local governments using descriptive, predictive, and causal analytics. The role involves working with Python, SQL, and cloud-based datasets (Snowflake) on a hybrid schedule, preferably from Madison, WI, with remote options across the US.

You will build predictive and causal models, automate data workflows with the engineering team, and present findings to internal and external stakeholders, driving data-informed decisions