DSHS FTAA Research Associate (Data Science & Informatics Specialist 3)

State of Washington Dept. of Social and Health Services; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington Dept. of Social and Health Services (DSHS) seeks a Research Associate for the Research and Data Analysis (RDA) team in Olympia.

You will lead research and program evaluation using large administrative datasets, collaborating with state partners to design robust studies and provide insights that inform health and human services policy. The role requires expertise in multivariate statistics, SAS/SQL, and communicating results to policymakers.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in informatics or related field with 1 year of data science experience, or
• Bachelor’s degree in informatics or related field with 3 years of experience in data work.
• Advanced training in multivariate statistical methods, sampling, and research designs.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement research and program evaluation on large administrative datasets.
• Collaborate with state agency partners to develop sound studies and performance measures.
• Prepare analytic datasets, link diverse sources, and recode data as needed.
• Report findings for non-technical audiences and present to stakeholders.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance on data collection and quality assurance.

Skills

Multivariate statistics

SAS

SQL

Data analysis

Stakeholder communication

Education

Master’s degree in informatics or related field

Bachelor’s degree in informatics or related field and 3 years’ experience

Tools

SPSS

STATA

Job description

If you are someone:

• Excited about a research career that directly impacts programs and policies and focuses on improving the well-being of Washington State’s most vulnerable populations.
• Who thrives in an intellectually stimulating environment.
• With a background in research, program evaluation, and statistical analysis.
• Who enjoys working both independently and as part of a collaborative team of professionals.

Use your research and statistical skills in an exciting analytic environment in the service of others. Research and Data Analysis (RDA) is seeking a Research Associate to join our team. RDA provides data, analytics, and decision support to improve the delivery of health and human services for clients of Washington’s publicly funded social and health services programs. These programs are administered by DSHS, the Health Care Authority, and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Our integrated administrative databases support research, evaluation, monitoring, predictive modeling, and geographic analysis on a wide range of program and policy areas such as: Aging and Long-Term Care; Behavioral Health (Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services); Cash and Food Assistance; Child Welfare and Well-Being; Criminal Legal Involvement; Developmental Disability Services; Health Services; Homelessness and Housing; Poverty; and others. Results of our work are shared through direct consultation with program leaders and policy makers, research briefs and reports, and presentations to workgroups and colleagues.

As part of our research team, you will function as a lead researcher, using your research methods, data analysis, and communications skills, and your experience in social service program monitoring and evaluation using large complex datasets. Your work will include designing and implementing research and program evaluation, primarily based on complex large administrative databases. You will also work collaboratively with other research professionals and analytic programmers to conduct ad hoc analyses and in-depth research while contributing to the ongoing improvement and maintenance of RDA’s analytic data infrastructure.

A minimum of one day per week will be required on location in Olympia. A flexible hybrid schedule is available upon successful completion of probation.

Some of what you will do

• Apply an advanced level of skill to manage research and evaluation projects involving a specific social or health service program area.
• Collaborate with your research team and state agency partners to develop and implement sound scientific research and evaluation studies, program monitoring, and performance measurement.
• Collaborate on the development of data collection strategies that will meet federal reporting requirements and provide technical assistance, training, and quality assurance for external partners gathering this information to support program evaluation activities.
• Link, restructure, and recode multiple large complex administrative datasets at different levels of observation from various sources to prepare analytic datasets suitable for research purposes. Identify appropriate measurement concepts to support research objectives.
• Advise on the construction of measures designed to help stakeholders monitor, measure, and improve their performance on key metrics.
• Monitor developments in and changes to social and health measures, data systems, and/or performance measures; modify reporting as needed in response to changes.
• Perform specialized analyses in SAS or SQL, using advanced quantitative methods to evaluate the need, demand, use, and outcomes of Washington’s publicly funded health and human services.
• Prepare reports summarizing analytic results for non-technical audiences and present key findings to a variety of stakeholder groups.

Who should apply

• Professionals with a Master’s degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, health services research, sociology, epidemiology, public health, health economics, or related technical or quantitative field, and one year of experience performing data science or informatics data work. Or,
• Bachelor’s degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, health services research, sociology, epidemiology, public health, health economics, or related technical or quantitative field and three years of professional experience performing data science or informatics data work.
• Equivalent education/experience.

Concurrent work experience should include:

• Advanced training in multivariate statistical methods, sampling, and research designs.
• 5 years’ experience using sophisticated quantitative research methods including design, sampling, and complex multivariate statistical evaluations.
• 5 years’ experience in conducting quantitative research regarding the impact of programs, interventions, policy changes, and/or predictive analytics relevant to health or social services.
• Demonstrated experience in SAS, SPSS, STATA, or other advanced statistical analysis software.
• Senior authorship of three or more recently published reports or peer-reviewed articles detailing research and evaluation findings from sophisticated, multivariate research designs in a policy context, preferably with relevance to vulnerable populations or publicly funded social and health services.
• Ability to provide reliable, professionally sound, scientifically valid advice, consultation, and technical assistance to high-level leadership. This advice applies an advanced level of expertise interpreting research findings to guide planning, programs, and policies.
• Ability to present complex ideas and information to a variety of audiences in both written and presentation formats and explain complex or technical information using plain talk principles.
• Demonstrated competency with the Microsoft suite of applications, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Certification in Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) or equivalent human subjects research training with 2 years of experience using administrative data for research, including applicable rules and concerns pertaining to human subjects and data protection.

Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities

• An advanced degree in health services research, sociology, epidemiology, public health, health economics, or related field.
• Documented ability to work both independently and cooperatively as a team member, managing multiple work projects leading and facilitating teams and work groups.
• Experience with DSHS programs, mission, goals, and/or strategic plan or experience working with WA State's Health Care Authority or Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
• Ability to exhibit strong quantitative skills
• Experience linking complex data sets with a common identifier across multiple levels of observation.
• Experience with analysis of administrative data.
• Specified knowledge of and experience conducting research related to vulnerable populations and services
• Use of social and health service agency records to generate risk and outcome data to inform policy, programming determinations, and funding allocations
• Understanding of security procedures for working with confidential client data and human subjects research protocols, including experience with IRB processes
• Passionate about social justice, behavioral health services, and improving the lives of others.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ 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.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver’s license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure ( Nepotism ) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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