Research/Data Analyst I

State of Mississippi; Mississippi; On-site; USD 37,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Mississippi, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, is seeking a detail-oriented Research/Data Analyst I to support RSA-911 data validation, reporting, and program evaluation. You will manage data quality, prepare quarterly files, and communicate findings to leadership.

The role requires strong analytical and communication skills, with proficiency in Excel and tools like SQL, Power BI, Tableau, R, or SAS.

Qualifications

• The successful candidate should demonstrate strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Accuracy and close attention to detail; ability to follow data definitions and procedures.
• Preferred proficiency in advanced Excel and reporting tools (SQL, Power BI, Tableau, R, SAS).

Responsibilities

• Validate RSA-911 data before quarterly submission to RSA.
• Perform edit checks; review data for missing, duplicate, or unusual values.
• Compare case-management, service, and fiscal information for discrepancies.
• Document errors and communicate correction requests; maintain QA records.
• Prepare and review quarterly RSA-911 files, submission logs, and supporting docs.
• Monitor data quality in OVR’s case-management system; produce exception reports.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Data visualization

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Business Analytics, Public Administration, Social Science, Rehabilitation)

Tools

SQL

Power BI

Tableau

R

SAS

Job description

Research/Data Analyst I in 45 - MADISON COUNTY, MS

State of Mississippi

$36,624.00 - $51,491.51 Annually

Location

45 - MADISON COUNTY, MS

Full-Time

Job Number

9076-0331-20260914MAD

Opening Date

09/14/2026

9/22/2026 at 11:59 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

Agency Minimum Salary

$36,624.00

$51,491.51

About the Agency

The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS) is a state agency dedicated to helping Mississippians with disabilities to live and work independently. MDRS serves through four major programs: Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind (VRB), Office of Special Disability Programs (OSDP), and Disability Determination Services (DDS). Services also include support through Assistive Technology, the Office of Business Development, and much more. It is the mission of MDRS to provide appropriate and comprehensive services in a timely and effective manner. Programs and services assist individuals with disabilities to gain employment, retain employment, and to live independently. MDRS is always looking for qualified and passionate employees to help fulfill its mission. To inquire about this position, please email @ [e-mail].

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation is seeking a detail-oriented Research/Data Analyst I to support the quantitative and qualitative data needs of its federally funded Vocational Rehabilitation and Supported Employment programs.Under general supervision, this position assists with RSA-911 data validation and reporting, case management and fiscal data quality, federal monitoring, state planning, forecasting, program evaluation, and recurring and special reports. The selected candidate will maintain approved databases and reporting processes, document corrections, and clearly communicate findings to agency leadership and program staff.— Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Validate participant, service, expenditure, performance, and employment-outcome data before quarterly submission to the Rehabilitation Services Administration.
• Perform established edit checks and review data for missing, duplicate, inconsistent, or unusual values.
• Compare case-management, service, and fiscal information to identify discrepancies requiring review or correction.
• Document errors, communicate correction requests, verify completed corrections, and maintain quality-control records.
• Assist with preparing and reviewing quarterly RSA-911 files, submission logs, and supporting documentation.
• Monitor the accuracy, completeness, consistency, and timeliness of information entered into OVR’s case-management system.
• Produce routine exception reports and track unresolved data issues through correction.
• Identify recurring error patterns and communicate findings to leadership, managers, and designated program staff.
• Maintain data definitions, validation rules, report specifications, and written quality-assurance procedures.
• Compile and analyze data for recurring and special reports requested by OVR leadership, MDRS administration, program managers, and authorized partners.
• Prepare accurate tables, graphs, dashboards, summaries, and presentation materials using established reporting standards.
• Support federal monitoring, state planning, performance reporting, fiscal forecasting, and program evaluation activities.
• Present data findings clearly and professionally to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

What you'll need to be Successful

The successful candidate should demonstrate strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills. Accuracy and close attention to detail. Ability to follow technical instructions, data definitions, edit checks, and established procedures. Ability to identify data discrepancies, investigate likely causes, document findings, and verify corrections. Ability to manage competing priorities and meet fixed federal and agency reporting deadlines. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency in preparing reports, spreadsheets, data visualizations, dashboards, and presentations. Ability to safeguard confidential participant and agency information and comply with applicable privacy and information‑security requirements. Ability to collaborate effectively with program, fiscal, information‑technology, and leadership staff. Willingness to learn requirements related to the Rehabilitation Act, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act performance reporting, RSA-911 instructions, and applicable OVR policies.

Preferred Qualifications

Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and 0-2 years of experience.— Hiring Agency Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Business Analytics, Public Administration, Social Science, Rehabilitation, or a related field and zero (0) to two (2) years of experience with data validation, government reporting, program evaluation, or fiscal analysis; Proficiency in advanced Excel and reporting tools such as SQL, Power BI, Tableau, R, or SAS.

Examples of Work

See MSPB Careers for information regarding this classification

Employer State of Mississippi

Address 210 East Capitol Street
Suite 800
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201