Lead Psychometrician / Research Scientist 3

Minnesota Department of Human Services; Saint Paul (MN); Remote; USD 79,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and sick leave

12 paid holidays each year

Pension plan

Job summary

The Minnesota Department of Human Services seeks a Lead Psychometrician in Saint Paul to lead psychometric analysis for the MnCHOICES assessment, ensuring reliability, validity, and equity across programs. The role requires expert leadership in measurement theory and data governance within a large administrative system.

You will collaborate with developers, analysts, and policy teams to defend data integrity for eligibility and resource allocation.

Qualifications

• Three years of professional experience applying psychometrics and advanced statistics to assessment systems.
• Evaluate reliability, validity, fairness, and measurement performance of large-scale assessments.
• Use statistical programming languages to analyze complex datasets.

Responsibilities

• Lead psychometric analysis and validation for LTSS eligibility assessments.
• Ensure instruments are reliable, fair, and equity-driven across populations.
• Provide expert guidance on measurement quality and operational use of results.

Skills

Psychometrics

Measurement theory

Item Response Theory

Reliability estimation

R (or SAS, Python)

Tools

R

SAS

Python

Job description

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers


• Date Posted: 10/09/2026


• Closing Date: 10/22/2026


• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Human Services Dept / MAPE DHS Central Office


• Division/Unit: DHS-Central Office / ADSA Team


• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift


• Days of Work: Monday - Friday


• Travel Required: No


• Salary Range: $37.91 - $56.39 / hourly; $79,156 - $117,742 / annually


• Classified Status: Classified


• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE


• FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional


• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Working Title: Lead Psychometrician

Job Class: Research Scientist 3

Agency: Human Services Dept

• Job ID: 97624


• Location: St. Paul


• Telework Eligible: Yes


• Full/Part Time: Full-Time


• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited


• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers


• Date Posted: 10/09/2026


• Closing Date: 10/22/2026


• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Human Services Dept / MAPE DHS Central Office


• Division/Unit: DHS-Central Office / ADSA Team


• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift


• Days of Work: Monday - Friday


• Travel Required: No


• Salary Range: $37.91 - $56.39 / hourly; $79,156 - $117,742 / annually


• Classified Status: Classified


• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE


• FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional


• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

This position is eligible for telework for applicants who reside in Minnesota or in a bordering state, with supervisory approval and satisfactory performance. If you live in a state bordering Minnesota, you must live within 50 miles or less from the primary work location to be eligible for telework.

The Department of Human Services is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DHS does not participate in E-Verify.

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well‑being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The Lead Psychometrician will lead psychometric and measurement science for the MnCHOICES assessment. The incumbent is responsible for:

• for leading the evaluation and ongoing monitoring of the reliability, validity, fairness and integrity of the MnCHOICES assessment used to determine long-term services and supports (LTSS) eligibility and resource allocation across Minnesota’s disability and aging programs


• Provide expert‑level leadership in psychometric analysis, measurement theory, and assessment validation within a large, complex administrative data system


• Ensure that assessment instruments used for eligibility determination and resource allocation are statistically sound, consistently applied across assessors and populations, and supported by rigorous evidence of reliability, validity and equity

The position operates within the LTSS Data Foundations Team and collaborates closely with developers, analysts, business intelligence staff, policy teams and external partners to lead processes that build confidence that assessment data are accurate, defensible, and fit for operational, eligibility and resource allocation use.

Minimum Qualifications

• Three years of professional experience applying psychometrics, measurement theory, and advanced statistical methods to the design, development, evaluation, or ongoing monitoring of assessment systems or similar measurement instruments. Experience must include:


• Evaluating the reliability, validity, fairness, and measurement performance of large-scale assessments or similar measurement systems


• Applying advanced psychometric and statistical methods such as factor analysis, item response theory (IRT), reliability estimation, regression modeling, differential item functioning, simulation, or comparable methods


• Using statistical programming languages such as R, SAS, Python, or comparable tools to analyze large and complex assessment datasets


• Experience leading or directing assessment evaluation or measurement‑related work including Interpreting technical findings and developing recommendations that includes downstream impacts regarding assessment design, measurement quality, and the operational use of assessment results

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting simulation, sensitivity, validation, or impact analyses to assess how changes to assessment items, scoring methods, scales, algorithms, or decision rules affect results


• Experience conducting equity or subgroup analyses to identify differences in assessment performance or outcomes across populations


• Experience developing or implementing assessment monitoring, validation, quality assurance, or governance processes


• Experience managing contractors or providing technical oversight of external partners responsible for psychometric, assessment, research, or evaluation work


• Experience working with Medicaid, long‑term services and supports, disability services, aging programs, or other public‑sector eligibility or resource allocation systems


• Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and/or cultures

Additional Requirements

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS - The Department of Human Services will conduct reference checks to verify job‑related credentials and criminal background check prior to appointment.

Contact

If you have questions about the position, contact Miriam Hirman at [e-mail].

If you are an individual with a disability and need an ADA accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Human Services' ADA Coordinator at 651-431-4945 or [e-mail] for assistance.

About Human Services Dept

WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE! The Minnesota Department of Human Services impacts the lives of 1.7 million people every year, helping them meet their basic needs so they can achieve their highest potential.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work


• Connection with their coworkers and communities


• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave


• 12 paid holidays each year


• Low‑cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans




• Fertility care, including IVF


• Diabetes care


• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children




• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children


• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)


• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death


• Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury


• Tax‑free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care


• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well‑being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development


• Tuition reimbursement


• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well‑being, or job performance


• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues


• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies

based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran‑friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] and let us know the support you need.