Research Analyst 3 (PCN 20-1080)

State of Alaska; Juneau (AK); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Competitive benefits

Job summary

State of Alaska in Juneau is seeking a Research Analyst 3 to design and lead complex studies on the correctional population, using SQL/T-SQL and Python to build reproducible analyses. You will guide junior staff and help shape policy through robust reporting and data quality control.

The role emphasizes machine learning concepts, data integrity of the ACOMS system, and collaboration across agencies. A hybrid schedule is available for this position.

Qualifications

• Experience designing and leading research projects in criminal justice or related fields.
• Ability to build, query, and maintain SQL databases and reproducible analyses.
• Familiarity with modern analytics methods, including machine learning and AI concepts.
• Experience guiding junior staff and coordinating unit reporting and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead complex research projects on Alaska’s correctional population and translate results into policy.
• Build and query SQL databases (T-SQL) and develop reproducible analyses in Python using Jupyter notebooks and VS Code.
• Apply modern methods including machine learning and AI to expand research and reporting.
• Ensure data integrity for ACOMS and produce quality-control reports and corrections.
• Lead and mentor Research Analyst 2 and produce flagship products like Offender Profile and performance measures.

Skills

SQL

Python

Jupyter

Quarto

VS Code

Tools

T-SQL

SQL Databases

Python

Jupyter

Quarto

VS Code

Job description

Job Description

The Department of Corrections, Division of Administration and Support, is recruiting for a Research Analyst 3 position located in Juneau, Alaska.

Watch Alaska DOC's Video Here

DOC Extended Cut.mp4 (vimeo.com)

What You Will Be Doing

• Design and lead complex research projects on Alaska’s correctional population - includes work that uses techniques without precedent - and turn the results into analyses that shape Department policy and resource decisions.
• Build and query SQL databases (T-SQL) and develop reproducible analyses in Python - using Jupyter notebooks, Quarto, and VS Code - to combine, clean, analyze, and report data drawn from multiple systems.
• Apply modern methods, including machine learning, generative AI, and agentic engineering, to modernize and expand the Department’s research and reporting.
• Safeguard the integrity of the Alaska Corrections Offender Management System (ACOMS) - running quality-control reports, documenting discrepancies, and correcting data so the Department’s numbers can be trusted.
• Lead and develop the Research Analyst 2 and produce the unit’s flagship products - including the annual Offender Profile, agency performance measures, and recurring data requests from partners such as the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Our Mission, Values, And Culture

The mission of the Alaska Department of Corrections is to promote public safety; we provide secure confinement, access to reformative programs, and offender management planning that promotes successful community reentry. The Research & Records section is the empirical backbone of that mission—our analysis, statistics, and reporting give Department leaders and policymakers the accurate information they need to make sound decisions and measure what works. We value precision, intellectual honesty, and getting the numbers right.

Benefits Of Joining Our Team

This is a role for someone who wants their analytical work to matter—your research directly shapes corrections policy, resource decisions, and how the Department understands its own performance. You will work across the full data lifecycle, from study design and statistical programming to reporting for state and federal audiences, on problems that frequently have no established playbook. As the senior analyst in a small, tight-knit Research & Records team, you will mentor the Research Analyst 2 and help set the standard for how the unit works. The State of Alaska offers a competitive benefits package, including health coverage, both defined-benefit and defined-contribution retirement options, and generous personal leave. This position is hybrid-eligible, offering schedule flexibility while keeping you connected to the team in Juneau.

The Working Environment You Can Expect

This position is based at the Department of Corrections office in the Douglas Island Building, with ample parking and a short walk to Savikko Park, Sandy Beach, and the Treadwell Mine Historic Trail, and is eligible for a hybrid schedule consistent with Department telework policy. The work is collaborative and deadline-driven, with shifting priorities, daily interaction with staff and outside agencies, and regular handling of confidential offender data.

Who We Are Looking For

We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies:

• Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
• Quality Assurance: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools of quality assurance and quality control used to ensure a product fulfills functional requirements and standards.
• Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.

Minimum Qualifications

Competency Based Minimum Qualifications Instructions

This job class uses competency based minimum qualifications. Please ensure your application (through work history, volunteer experience (duties summary), training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports how you have gained the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors (competencies) and that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class.

Competency Description

The competency description(s) listed below have been designed to promote a common understanding of the essential elements of the job class. They highlight the more general and customary knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), tasks, and behaviors used to describe the competency. They typically list expectations, as opposed to specific tasks, and are to be used only as parameters and guidelines. A competency’s description is not intended to exclusively define every KSA, task, and behavior needed to successfully meet the competency, but rather to provide the manager/agency with a broad reference of options as to how an applicant can meet the job expectation.

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in:

• Analysis and Assessment: Uses information technology in accessing, collecting, analyzing, maintaining, and disseminating data and information.
• Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
• Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
• Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for own actions and decisions. Complies with established control systems and rules.

Equivalent To Those Typically Gained By

Education and/or progressively responsible professional experience which included investigative research or statistical analysis.

Special Note

“Competencies” means a combination of interrelated knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that enable a person to act effectively in a job or situation.

“Typically gained by” means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job.

“Training” and “education” in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long-duration (such as a post‑secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs.

“Progressively responsible” means indicating growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility.

“Professional experience” means work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment.

Additional Required Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• Educational transcripts, if using education to meet the minimum qualifications.
• Last three performance evaluations (or letters of reference / recommendation from the three most recent supervisors if there were no evaluations within the last five years).

LEGAL EMPLOYMENT

The State’s online recruitment system, Workplace Alaska, requires applicants to certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States. It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the appropriate documentation to accept or continue legal employment. The State of Alaska does not function in the role as an employer sponsor.

EDUCATION

If post‑secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position. Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above. If utilizing this education, you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. post‑secondary institution reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the post‑secondary institution. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Work Experience

If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.

CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECKS/APSIN/ACOMS

Please be aware – this position requires the use of the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN). A security clearance issued by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is necessary to use APSIN. DPS will deny security clearance for any applicant who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in this state or another jurisdiction, or who may be a fugitive from justice. Additionally, security clearance will be withdrawn if DPS discovers that material information was falsified or omitted at the time of the initial application for security clearance.

FINGERPRINT NOTICE

All Department of Corrections employees are required to be fingerprinted. The successful candidate must pass a criminal history check.

EEO STATEMENT

The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or 465-4095 in Juneau or [phone] (TTY) or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal‑opportunity employer.

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE

Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll-free) or [phone] if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to [e-mail].

For applicant password assistance, please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

Contact Information

Jesse Slone

Research Analyst 4

907-465-3313

[e-mail]

Careers With The State Of Alaska Offer MANY Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
• The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
  • AVTEC
  • Confidential
  • Correctional Officers
  • Marine Engineers
  • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
  • Supervisory
  • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
  • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
• The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
  • General Government
  • Labor, Trades and Crafts
  • Public Safety Employees Association
  • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

Optional Insurance Benefits

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long‑term and short‑term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long‑term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee‑funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

See https://drb.alaska.gov/retiree/ for additional information

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year