DSHS FTAA Data Science & Informatics Specialist 1

Washington State Department of Transportation; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is hiring a Data Science & Informatics Specialist 1 to turn complex data into meaningful insights that improve social and health services for millions of clients.

Join the FTAA division to integrate data from multiple state systems, perform advanced analyses, and collaborate with researchers and leaders to inform decision-making and drive program improvements.

Qualifications

• Strong data analysis and programming skills with SAS/SQL/R/Python or similar tools.
• Experience with data extraction, manipulation, transformation, and statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of databases, data systems, and data integration concepts.
• Experience creating dashboards and communicating findings to varied audiences.
• Familiarity with data governance, privacy, security, and HIPAA/FERPA basics.
• Research and problem-solving skills to identify improvements and automation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, maintain complex data structures and analytic applications.
• Integrate and manage data from multiple systems to create policy-relevant datasets.
• Develop statistical analyses, data validation, and quality assurance using SAS/SQL.
• Transform data into reports, dashboards, and visuals for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with researchers, program teams, and leadership to define data needs.
• Provide technical guidance on data sharing, dashboards, and data usage.

Skills

SAS

SQL

R

Python

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in informatics or related field

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Salary: $86,688.00 - $116,544.00 Annually

Location: Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type: Full Time - Permanent

Job Number: 2026-07396

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: FTAA

Opening Date: 09/10/2026

Closing Date: 9/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

DSHS FTAA – Data Science & Informatics Specialist 1 Join our team as a Data Science & Informatics Specialist 1 and help turn complex data into meaningful insights that improve social and health services for more than 2.6 million DSHS clients. The Research and Data Analysis (RDA) Division within the Finance, Technology, and Analytics Administration (FTAA) provides data, analytics, and decision-support tools that help DSHS and its partner agencies evaluate programs, measure performance, and identify opportunities to improve services. In this role, you'll integrate data from multiple state systems, develop statistical analyses and dashboards, and collaborate with researchers, program staff, and leaders to make data more useful and actionable. Your work will help support informed decision-making, program innovation, and better outcomes for the people we serve.

Some Of What You'll Do

• Design, develop, document, and maintain complex data structures, integrated databases, and analytic applications that support research, evaluation, and program performance measurement.
• Integrate and manage data from multiple systems and sources across DSHS, the Health Care Authority, and the Department of Children, Youth & Families to create meaningful, policy-relevant datasets and measures, with a focus on substance use and mental health conditions and related social health needs.
• Develop and perform complex statistical analyses, data validation, quality assurance, and testing using tools such as SAS and SQL.
• Analyze and transform data into accurate reports, performance measures, dashboards, presentations, and other products that clearly communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with researchers, program teams, managers, and senior leadership to define data needs, solve complex problems, identify opportunities for improvement and automation, and guide strategic data integration decisions.
• Provide technical expertise and consultation on data systems, data sharing, research methods, dashboards, and the appropriate use of service, cost, and outcome data.
• Support data governance and security by developing and maintaining data-sharing practices that meet applicable confidentiality, privacy, and security requirements, including HIPAA and FERPA.

Desired skills, knowledge, and abilities

• Strong data analysis and programming skills, including experience with SAS, SQL, R, Python, or similar tools, as well as data extraction, manipulation, transformation, and statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of database design, data systems, and integration, including data structures, algorithms, informatics, interoperability, and principles of data system development.
• Experience with data visualization and communication, including tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar applications, and the ability to clearly communicate complex information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Knowledge of data governance, privacy, security, and ethical data practices, including requirements related to the collection, management, sharing, and use of sensitive data.
• Research and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify complex problems, evaluate data, recognize opportunities for process improvement and automation, and develop solutions that meet user needs.
• Strong collaboration and consultation skills, including the ability to work with diverse teams, understand business and data requirements, provide technical assistance or training, and build effective partnerships across organizations.
• Adaptability and a commitment to continuous learning, including the ability to learn new technologies, tools, and methods and apply them to evolving research, data, and business needs.

We Are Searching For Professionals With

• A bachelor's degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or a related technical or quantitative field and one (1) year of experience performing data science or informatics work. OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience totaling five (5) years.

Additional required experience

• One (1) year of experience using SAS or SQL for data management and analysis.
• One (1) year of experience preparing statistical analyses and data tabulations for reports involving social and/or health services or other large, person-level statewide databases.
• One (1) year of experience creating metrics or indicators from transactions, medical claims or encounters, service records, or similar data sources.
• One (1) year of experience creating dashboards using Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar data visualization tools.
• One (1) year of experience using REDCap for data administration and survey design.
• One (1) year of experience with federal GPRA data collection for Center for Substance Abuse Treatment grants, including providing technical assistance to sub-grantee recipients.

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.

Read About Our 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.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

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. 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

Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026