Policy Data Scientist & Forecasting Analyst

PHEAA; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); Hybrid; USD 64,295 - 78,582; Full time

Job summary

PHEAA in Harrisburg, PA invites a Data Science / Analytics specialist to drive statistical analysis, modeling, and forecasting for the State Grant & Special Programs team. This is a full‑time role with a hybrid work arrangement.

You will develop predictive models, perform complex data management, and deliver client‑facing reports using SAS, SQL, and Excel. Collaboration across departments is essential to inform budgeting and policy decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, economics, computer science, or related field and minimum of five years of demonstrated advanced knowledge of statistical and business software, including SAS or any equivalent combination of experience, training, and/or certification(s).
• Demonstrated expertise in advanced data analysis techniques, such as analysis of variance, hierarchical linear modeling, latent class analysis, and non‑parametric statistics.
• Demonstrated expert‑level use of SAS, SQL, and MS Office required. VBA experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Initiate and conduct complex original and collaborative research.
• Provide reliable, relevant, and quality data and information to facilitate planning, accountability, program evaluation, and development of Agency policy positions.
• Apply advanced mathematics, scientific methods and computer programming to define data requirements and analyze, test and evaluate information, including the projection of State Grant and Special Program applicants, recipients and dollar volume for the annual Commonwealth budget process and actual award determinations.
• Use analytical techniques, such as linear and logistic regression, to answer research/policy questions. Generate descriptive statistics, crosstabs and correlations for data.
• Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy or determine need for reformulation.
• Forecast State Grant Program and Special Program applicants, recipients, and dollar volume via an annual estimation process.

Skills

SAS

SQL

MS Excel

Statistical analysis

Data visualization

Policy analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, economics, computer science, or related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

SAS

SQL

MS Office

VBA

Job description

PHEAA in Harrisburg, PA invites a Data Science / Analytics specialist to drive statistical analysis, modeling, and forecasting for the State Grant & Special Programs team. This is a full‑time role with a hybrid work arrangement.

You will develop predictive models, perform complex data management, and deliver client‑facing reports using SAS, SQL, and Excel. Collaboration across departments is essential to inform budgeting and policy decisions.