Data Scientist(Hybrid)

Introduction

Are you a data scientist with a passion for using analytics to improve people’s lives? If so, we invite you to check out this opportunity to join our team to improve analytics for long-range policy planning and development   Join a tight-knit team to bring more data and evidence to programs that support over 1 million Connecticut residents. At the , Department of Social Services (), we are recruiting a which will be based in our Division of Business Intelligence and Analytics (BIA), with primary support being given to the DSS Policy Division in the Commissioner’s Office. What We Can Offer You: Visit our  new  page The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule Professional growth and development opportunities A healthy to all employees Position Highlights This position is located at the Division of Business Intelligence and Analytics, DSS Central Office, 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT Full-time, first shift position (40 hours per week)  Schedule of Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Your Role as a  This position will primarily support the DSS Policy Division in the Commissioner’s Office, which develops, implements, and continually updates a coordinated agency-wide policy plan, leads key priority policy initiatives, and supports important projects. This Data Scientist will work closely with DSS policy advisors and other staff to embed data analytics within broad strategic policy work and development, including priority agency projects and long-term policy goals and planning. In addition, this Data Scientist position will support BIA with other projects and activities that benefit Divisions and clients across the DSS enterprise. The Data Scientist is accountable for directing and conducting the most complex and specialized research investigations/evaluations, statistical analysis, and/or data-driven studies/projects. In this role, in close collaboration with agency staff and partner organizations, you will be responsible for: Analytic Strategy and Support to better enable DSS to design, implement, and continually improve its programs. These programs collectively serve over 1 million Connecticut residents, including health programs (especially HUSKY Health, which includes Connecticut’s Medicaid program), nutrition assistance, cash assistance, energy assistance, child support services, and other health and social service programs. Forecasting and Evaluation for fiscal, health, well-being, and economic outcomes, quantitative evaluation, cost-effectiveness analysis, data visualizations, geographic mapping, and other statistical and data analysis to support continuous improvement for DSS programs. Analytic Oversight to promote improved outcomes, value, and cost-effectiveness for the agency’s programs, including improving the agency’s ability to make data-informed policy decisions and to measure and promote improved health and wellbeing for the people we serve, transparency, and program integrity. Other activities and duties as may be assigned that advance business intelligence and analytics, accountability and transparency within and for DSS.  Who We Are The Department of Social Services () delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut’s multi-faceted health and human services agency. Within DSS, BIA partners across the agency’s enterprise to support increased internal and external accessibility to and application of actionable data. BIA is committed to enhancing data informed decision-making and supporting equitable outcomes. As described above, also within DSS, the Policy Division in the Commissioner’s Office supports agency policy priorities and long-range planning.
We hope you pursue joining our team and encourage you to detail your related experience on the application

Selection Plan

For Assistance in Applying:
Please or our Applicant Tips on How to Apply Application Process: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date, unless otherwise specified. The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to . Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the state of Connecticut. Selection Process: This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error. During the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the agency. For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from branch to branch but it does not impact your state service credit. Contact Information: Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Ethan Ives at .

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for directing and conducting the most complex and specialized research investigations/evaluations, statistical analysis and/or data driven studies/projects.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Applies statistical and research principles and techniques to a wide variety of issues and projects;develops research designs and statistically sound protocols and works with staff to carry out specificresearch studies; develops statistical and computerized models for analyzing data and interpretsresults to support business and client needs and facilitate informed recommendations and decisions;performs complex statistical analyses such as predictive modeling, forecasting, multiple regression,trend analysis, log linear analysis, factor analysis, and multi-variate analysis; uses parametric and non-parametric statistics; selects, designs, organizes and works out statistical techniques and researchdesigns most suitable for the project/study at hand; evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of variousstatistical techniques and research designs, selecting those which achieve the most valid results;conducts in-depth literature searches and writes scientific papers; instructs staff in research andstatistical techniques, methods, and use of statistical analysis software; oversees the production ofresearch proposals, development and maintenance of databases, and interpretation, and writing ofresearch and statistical reports for various intra and extra departmental audiences; may assist in theplanning, design, selection, and evaluation of technologies related to data retrieval and analysis;performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of methods of research design, statistical analysis and databasemanagement; considerable knowledge of management systems research and development related tosocial and economic trends; considerable knowledge of relevant State and Federal statutes,regulations and guidelines; knowledge of data processing computer programming for statisticalanalysis; knowledge of data retrieval and analysis methods; considerable written and oralcommunication skills; considerable interpersonal skills; ability to conduct longitudinalinvestigations/research, including interviewing and performing trend analyses and outcomeeffectiveness studies; ability to analyze and evaluate data using multiple regression, log linearanalyses, factor analyses and multi-variate analyses; ability to use statistical packages and/or variousdata modeling platforms; ability to design and conduct studies and determine effective solutions; abilityto write technical reports; some supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Master’s degree in biostatistics, epidemiology, public health, psychology, statistics or a closelyrelated area with significant coursework in research methodology and statistics and one (1) year ofprofessional experience with significant involvement in research and statistical analysis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Familiarity with and expertise and interest in Medicaid or other programs administered by the Department of Social Services or similar health or social service programs and experience with data analysis and associated policy recommendations directly related to one or more such programs Experience using data analytics to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate public policy initiatives, including demonstrated experience in communicating about data analysis and policy implications with individuals across a variety of professional backgrounds and skills Experience performing data linkages, cost-benefit analyses and complex statistical modelling, including performing and interpreting point-in-time, long-term trend and regression analyses  Experience synthesizing analytical and statistical assessments into presentations, fact sheets, and written reports that resulted in a peer-reviewed or other publication, or dissemination to the public by an academic, government, or healthcare institution Experience with analyzing and synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data related to healthcare and human services, including administrative data and using such analysis to contribute to public policy development and recommendations Experience with spatial and geographic data Proficiency using SAS, SPSS, Stata, or other similar statistical applications Proficiency with using R, Python and/or SQL coding languages Proficiency with data visualization techniques and applications (e.g., Tableau, Power BI or other visualization application) prepared for a variety of audiences and purposes, including, as applicable, development of data dashboards Experience working within a multi-disciplinary team, including, as applicable, across different organizations, to analyze, interpret and present the findings of data analyses to inform public policy development Ph.D. in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Economics, or another relevant field

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Overview

Employee Benefits As a State of Connecticut employee you may be entitled to a host of benefits that are not only attractive, but also may be portable should your career bring you to other avenues of state service. From 13 paid holidays to accruing vacation time, being a State of Connecticut employee not only gives you the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, but the time to enjoy your own. Listed below are just some of the benefits the State of Connecticut offers depending on the position you hold: Health & Dental Insurance Accrued Vacation, Personal and Sick Leave (Subject to the appropriate bargaining union contract or state statute and regulations.) Retirement Plan Group Life Insurance Supplemental Benefits Voluntary Defined Contribution Plans Flexible Spending Accounts (Dependent Care Program, Medical Flexible Spending, and Qualified Transportation) Supplemental Benefits Programs (Auto and Home Insurance, plus Short and Long Term Disability) Life Insurance State of CT Tuition Reimbursement Program Holidays

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