Senior Data and Policy Analyst (DSIS2)

Washington Department of Natural Resources; Washington; On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Licensing seeks a Senior Data and Policy Analyst to shape agency policies, programs, and operations with a focus on young drivers and driver training policy implementation. You will support public safety, customer-focused initiatives, and operational efficiency.

You will analyze data, prepare clear reports, and advise leadership using research-supported insights, to inform decisions that affect millions of Washington residents.

Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of demonstrated experience in two or more areas: research, policy analysis, business process analysis, leading projects, or policy development.
• Three (3) years of experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data, in preparing effective narrative, statistical, and graphical reports.
• Experience with large data sets and identifying data trends, inconsistencies, or incomplete information for complex topics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint to create materials, presentations, reports, and spreadsheets.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research on complex issues to provide reliable, actionable information for data-driven decisions.
• Evaluate proposed changes for costs, equity, feasibility, effectiveness, and potential impacts.
• Assess policy and program outcomes and recommend improvements based on findings.
• Advise agency leaders, project teams, and external partners with analytical insights and research-supported recommendations.
• 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 data and analysis to support legislative reporting requirements.
• Review studies and analytical products across DOL for accuracy and credibility.

Skills

Research & data analysis

Policy analysis

Project leadership

Communication

SQL/BI tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Master's degree in a related field

Tools

Excel

SQL

R

Python

Power BI

GIS

Job description

Description

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

Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity

At 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.

Some of what you will do:

• 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!

We value diverse perspectives and life experiences. We employ and serve people of all backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. We value the unique traits and attributes that each employee brings to the job. Through the diverse perspectives of an inclusive workforce, we will create a more respectful, productive, and unified team to better serve the public of Washington.

Veteran/Military Spouse Preference Notice

To take advantage of your veteran / military spouse preference please attach documentation of eligibility to your application.

The Washington State Department of Licensing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, race, religion, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process, during the recruitment process, or who need this job announcement in an alternative format, may contact the Human Resources Office at 360-902-4000 or may email [e-mail]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our ASL interpreter via Video Phone at 360.339.7344.

The candidate pool certified from this recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty days.

We do not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.