Data Scientist

DC Department of Human Services (DHS) have two job openings to use data analytic skills to make life better for DC residents. DHS is looking for Data Scientists to provide leadership and direction on predictive projects to better serve residents with economic security programs (like food stamps and cash benefits). They’re also looking for a Policy Analyst to conduct complex data analysis and research for programs that support people experiencing homelessness. Candidates for either role should be excited to improve the quality of services for District residents!

Applications are due by July 30th.
Job ID: 10941

This position is located in the Economic Security Administration (ESA) at the Department of Human Services (DHS) and reports to the Deputy Administrator for Division of Data, Analytics, Research and Evaluation (DARE).  This position functions as an expert for data science and predictive analysis for the ESA regarding a variety of public assistance programs, policies, best practices, and implementation of initiatives.  The incumbent is expected to provide leadership and direction to a team that identifies, designs, and executes various quantitative study and data science projects for ESA to improve the quality of services provided to the District residents.

Duties and Responsibilities: To lead various statistical and predictive analysis projects, including designing a study, literature review, identifying data sources, compiling data, data wrangling, analyzing data, developing recommendations, and writing reports, etc. To conduct regular and ad-hoc statistical and quantitative analysis involving big data and multiple databases. To support ESA in its efforts to improve the customer services, to be compliant with federal regulations, and to reduce errors, by conducting regular and ad-hoc data analysis and maintaining data reports and monitoring various measures related to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and medical assistance programs. To be an expert to guide the team to explore and adopt advanced data science methods and techniques, including machine learning. To participate in the development of proposals for regulations and policies, and to conduct complex analysis of the anticipated effects of other legislation, policies and programs (i.e., cost-benefit analysis or cost projection). To translate findings from data analysis into concrete recommendations for how to improve ESA programs, policies and operations. To promote data-driven decision-making culture across the agency.

Uses descriptive statistics, predictive analytics, machine learning, and other methods to learn about and derive insights from the patterns and relations within a dataset. Uses inferential statistics to learn about the causal relations between variables in a dataset, including randomized field evaluations. Develops intuitive and compelling graphics to visualize and think about data. Creates data dictionaries, annotated code, and similar materials to ensure work product is as open and reproducible as possible. Ensures that work product adheres to methodological and open science best practices. Reviews, writes, and presents descriptions and summaries of projects for diverse audiences, including executive and command staff leadership, scientific experts, government practitioners, and public stakeholders.

Qualifications and Education
Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral or Social Science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
Or
Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
Or
Four years (4) of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lowest grade level in the line of progression. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the line of work of the position and has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Job posting link: Data Scientist Opportunity