DSHS FTAA IT Data Management - Senior Specialist

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington's Department of Social and Health Services seeks a Senior IT Data Management Specialist to design and manage advanced data systems supporting social and health services research across multiple program areas.

You will build data pipelines, dashboards, and analytical datasets used for program evaluation, performance measurement, and financial and predictive modeling, informing policy and decisions by DSHS leadership and partner agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree including 9 semester or 15 quarter hours of computer science courses and 7 years of progressively more responsible IT work experience with large, complex administrative databases.
• AA in computer science, statistical programming, or related program and 9 years of progressively more responsible IT work experience with large, complex administrative databases.
• Eleven years as an Information Technology Data Management technician or equivalent or higher experience level technician. Master’s degree will substitute for one year of the required experience.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, develop, troubleshoot, maintain, and enhance several complex, cross-agency databases, with a focus on a specified subset of social and health services.
• Create outcome evaluation and program monitoring databases and analytic applications using multiple data systems.
• Provide consultation and technical assistance to researchers across RDA, DSHS and other agencies to provide the highest level of research and data analytics throughout state social and health services.

Skills

SAS

SQL

PowerBI

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree with CS coursework

AA in CS or related field

Master’s degree substitution for experience

Job description

We are seeking a Senior IT Data Management Specialist to join the Client Services Data Unit (CSDU) within the Research and Data Analysis Division (RDA) at the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

RDA empowers partners across government by transforming raw data into trusted, well-governed, and actionable insights enabling effective data exploration, analysis, and decision-making that support problem-solving, risk management, continuous improvement, and strategic outcomes.

We are seeking a senior data professional to lead the design and management of advanced data systems that support social and health services research. You will build and maintain complex data infrastructure and integrations across multiple service areas such as economic assistance, housing, education, behavioral health, justice, developmental disabilities, long-term care, and child welfare.

You will set standards, plan and implement data pipelines, build and maintain interactive dashboards, and create analytical datasets used for program evaluation, performance measurement, and financial and predictive modeling. Your work will directly inform policy and service decisions made by DSHS leadership, partner agencies, the Governor’s Office, and the State Legislature.

This opportunity has a hybrid schedule, requiring one day in office per week on Thursdays, and additional in office days as needed.

Some of what you’ll do:

• Independently design, develop, troubleshoot, maintain, and enhance several complex, cross-agency databases, with a focus on a specified subset of social and health services.
• Create outcome evaluation and program monitoring databases and analytic applications using multiple data systems.
• Provide consultation and technical assistance to researchers across RDA, DSHS and other agencies to provide the highest level of research and data analytics throughout state social and health services.

Who should apply:

• A bachelor’s degree including 9 semester or 15 quarter hours of computer science courses and 7 years of progressively more responsible IT work experience with large, complex administrative databases.

Or,

• AA in computer science, statistical programming, or related program and 9 years of progressively more responsible IT work experience with large, complex administrative databases.

Or,

• Eleven years as an Information Technology Data Management technician or equivalent or higher experience level technician.
• A master’s degree will substitute for one year of the required experience.

The following required experience may have been obtained concurrently:

• Five years of work experience managing, programming and analyzing data for research and evaluation purposes using SAS or another statistical analysis software, including substantial experience with complex statistical methods, longitudinal data analysis, data mining, logic modeling, and case mix adjustment.
• Four years or more of experience performing quantitative data analyses and database administration using complex administrative data systems, preferably in a health or human service area.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, develop and implement propensity score modeling and/or related methods for creating statistically comparable groups based on demographic, clinical and service history variables; OR demonstrated ability to prepare SAS-ready data sets to generate statistically comparable groups efficiently and effectively.

What we’re looking for:

• Advanced skills using SAS for data management and analysis.
• Five years of experience managing and analyzing data with SQL, or another high-level data management programming language.
• Experience building and maintaining interactive PowerBI dashboards.
• Ability to function both independently and as a team member in a highly dynamic environment.
• Exceptional communication skills and demonstrated project management experience.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.