Senior Data and Policy Analyst (DSIS2)

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Licensing (DOL) in Washington State is seeking a Senior Data and Policy Analyst to provide expert-level research and analysis to shape agency policies, programs, and operations. The role emphasizes young driver and driver training policy implementation, with additional support for public safety and customer-facing initiatives.

The position requires strong communication skills, independent judgment, and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders to improve equity, efficiency, and

Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of demonstrated experience in two (2) or more areas.
• Experience with collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data and producing narrative, statistical, and graphical reports.
• Ability to work with large data sets and identify trends, inconsistencies, or gaps.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research to provide reliable, actionable information for agency leadership.
• Evaluate proposed changes for costs, equity, feasibility, and impact.
• Assess policy and program outcomes and recommend improvements.
• Advise agency leaders and partners with analytical insights on initiatives.
• Identify data gaps to guide future research and decision making.
• Prepare clear reports and presentations for diverse audiences.
• Provide data support for legislative reporting requirements.
• Review studies for accuracy and credibility across the department.

Skills

Research & analysis

Policy analysis

Business process analysis

Project leadership

Policy development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel Pivot Tables

SQL

R

Python

Power BI

Job description

Description

We are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values:

Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | EquityAt the

DescriptionWe are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values:Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | EquityAt the Department of Licensing (DOL), we recognize the importance of work life harmony and strive to create a culture where employees feel valued and respected. Our employees are trusted and encouraged to be a part of process improvements that impact their work, create value for our customers and help build trust in our government.

Our Office of Equity, Performance, and Accountability with our Director's Office is looking for a partner to join their team and bring research, analysis, and leadership experience to their role as a Senior Data and Policy Analyst.As one of the most visible state agencies and the second-largest revenue generator in Washington State, we engage with over 6 million residents each year and collect nearly $3 billion in taxes and fees. We understand that our services are vital to the daily lives of our customers, enabling them to live, work, drive, and thrive. We take this responsibility to heart and are dedicated to providing equitable and meaningful access to our services for every resident.

If you are a customer-focused analyst with strong communication skills, we invite you to apply!

Duties

As the Senior Data and Policy Analyst, you will provide expert-level research and analysis to help shape agency policies, programs, and operations. Your primary focus will be young drivers and driver training policy implementation, with additional work supporting public safety, customer-focused initiatives, and operational efficiency. You will exercise independent judgment to address complex issues with broad agency impact, helping every Washington resident live, work, drive, and thrive.

• Conduct in-depth research on complex issues to provide reliable, actionable information to agency leadership to support informed, data-driven decision-making.
• Evaluate proposed changes for costs, equity, feasibility, effectiveness, and potential impacts.
• Assess policy and program outcomes and recommend improvements based on your findings.
• Advise agency leaders, project teams, and external partners on agency initiatives and policy issues by providing analytical expertise and research-supported insights.
• Identify emerging trends, data limitations, and information gaps to guide future research.
• Prepare clear reports and presentations that make complex findings accessible to diverse audiences.
• Provide timely, accurate data and analysis to support legislative reporting requirements.
• Review studies and analytical products across DOL for accuracy, consistency, and credibility.

Qualifications

What you will bring to the role:

Seven (7) years of demonstrated experience in two (2) or more of the following areas:

• Conducting in-depth research or data analysis
• Analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations
• Conducting business process analysis
• Leading business projects
• Business policy development

Experience Must Include

• Three (3) years of experience: Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data, in preparing effective and accurate narrative, statistical, and graphical reports to communicate findings and recommendations.
• Working with large data sets; identifying data trends, inconsistencies, inaccuracies, or incomplete information for complex analytical topics.
• Using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint to create, compose, and edit written and illustrated materials, presentations, correspondence, reports, and spreadsheets.

The ability to: Go deeper and deeper into the data to seek the needed information. Understand and follow agency values of respect, trust, diversity, equity and inclusion through behaviors and decisions. Promote and support a respectful, equitable, and inclusive workplace for all employees. Promote and support respectful, equitable and inclusive delivery of services to customers. Take action to learn and grow. Take action to meet the needs of others.

Experience can be obtained concurrently.

Up to Six (6) years of relevant education (in business admin, public admin, law, political science, statistics, economics, mathematics, epidemiology, or a related field) may substitute year for year for experience. Associate's degree = 2 years | Bachelor’s degree = 4 years | Master's degree = 6 years

What May Help Set You Apart

• A higher education degree in business administration, public administration, law, political science, statistics, economics, mathematics, computer science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills working with structured datasets in a variety of formats and tools commonly used in DOL, including Excel Pivot Tables, SQL services, R, Python, and Power BI.
• Experience in project management, which could include explaining the purpose of a project, defining roles and responsibilities, creating project plans, managing timelines and deliverables, risks, identifying outcomes, and communicating statuses and other information to stakeholders and staff at all levels of an organization with the ability to work with others to enhance and enable work plan implementation.
• Professional experience conducting quantitative research of the impact of programs, interventions, policy changes, and/or predictive analytics relevant to public safety, licensing, and regulation services.
• Demonstrated experience conducting presentations verbally or written to include the organization of materials accurately conveying the information, recommendations, or assessments.
• One (1) year of experience developing solutions in Geographic Information System (GIS) environments.

Additional Conditions of employment:

• Prior to new hire, a pre-employment check including criminal record history will 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 position.

DOL is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, we will take the steps to ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

For information about available accommodations, the interview process, or the position contact Kyle Odell.

Supplemental Information

Come join us in changing the way government delivers services and help build a legacy of commitment to and excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion!

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read About Our Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement And Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information. Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

We do not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT).