What are the responsibilities and job description for the DSHS FFA Researcher position at State of Washington?
If you are someone:
- Excited about a research career that directly impacts programs and policies and focuses on improving the well-being of Washington State’s most vulnerable populations.
- Who thrives in an intellectually stimulating environment.
- With a background in research, program evaluation, and statistical analysis.
- Who enjoys working both independently and as part of a collaborative team of professionals…
Use your research and statistical skills in an exciting analytic environment in the service of others. Research and Data Analysis(RDA) is seeking a Researcher to join their team. RDA, within DSHS's Facilities, Finance, and Analytics (FFA) Administration, provides data, analytics, and decision support to improve the delivery of services that transform the lives of clients of Washington’s publicly funded social and health services programs, including those administered by DSHS, the Health Care Authority, and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Our integrated administrative databases support research, evaluation, monitoring, predictive modeling, and geographic analysis for work on a wide range of program and policy areas such as: Aging and Long-Term Care; Behavioral Health (Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services); Cash and Food Assistance; Child Welfare and Well-Being; Criminal Legal Involvement; Developmental Disability Services; Health Services; Homelessness and Housing; Poverty; and others. Results of our work are shared through direct consultation with program leaders and policy-makers, research briefs and reports, and presentations to workgroups and conferences.
As part of our research team, you will collaborate closely with other research professionals and analytic programmers to conduct ad hoc analyses and in-depth research while contributing to the ongoing improvement and maintenance of RDA’s unsurpassed analytic data infrastructure. Over time, additional duties will be tailored to your skills and interests and may include managing complex data collection activities, developing performance metrics and dashboards, producing short descriptive reports, or conducting in-depth outcome evaluations.
RDA is a national leader in health and human services research. The high-level statistical research and evaluation performed in this role contributes to reports used by the State legislature and executive branch to inform policy, programming, and budgeting choices relating to multiple health and social service program and policy areas. A minimum of one day per week will be required on location in Olympia. A flexible hybrid schedule is available for this job.
Some of what you will do:
- Collaborate with your research team and state agency partners to develop and implement sound scientific research and evaluation studies, program monitoring, and performance measurement.
- Collaborate with your research team and agency partners to develop data collection strategies that will meet federal reporting requirements and provide technical assistance, training, and quality assurance for external partners gathering this information to support program evaluation activities.
- Prepare reports summarizing analytic results for non-technical audiences and present key findings to a variety of stakeholder groups.
- Link, restructure, and recode multiple large complex administrative datasets at different levels of observation from different sources to prepare analytic datasets suitable for research purposes. Identify appropriate measurement concepts to support research objectives.
- Advise on the construction of measures designed to help stakeholders monitor, measure, and improve their performance on key metrics.
- Monitor developments in and changes to social and health measures, data systems and/or performance measures; modify reporting as needed in response to changes.
- Perform analyses in SAS or SQL to conduct program monitoring and evaluate the effectiveness of social or health programs and policies.
- Conduct statistically sound analyses using SAS and SQL that evaluate the need, demand, use, and outcomes of Washington’s publicly funded health and human services.
Who We Want in This Role: A researcher with strong quantitative skills who is passionate about social justice and improving the lives of others. The ideal applicant will be a strong communicator, both verbally and in writing, and capable of presenting statistical analyses to a variety of non-research audiences. Applicants should be committed to supporting DSHS’ agency-wide goal of becoming an anti-racist organization, and advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage members of underrepresented groups to apply.
Who should apply
- Professionals with a PhD in sociology, demography, psychology, economics, health services, public health, public policy, geography, statistics, or related field and 1 year of documented professional experience, post-graduation, working with multidisciplinary teams to complete social or health services research projects. A master’s degree with 3 years of documented professional experience, post-graduation, working with multidisciplinary teams to complete social or health services research projects experience may substitute. Or equivalent education/experience. Concurrent work experience should include:
- Intermediate to advanced training in multivariate statistical methods, sampling, and research designs.
- 2 years of work experience in applied quantitative research, including research design, sampling, and multivariate statistical analyses.
- 2 years of work experience conducting quantitative research regarding the impact of programs, interventions, policy changes, and/or predictive analytics relevant to health or social services.
- Demonstrated experience in SAS, SPSS, STATA, or other advanced statistical analysis software.
- Experience contributing to published reports or peer-reviewed articles in applied research, evaluation, or performance measurement projects, preferably with relevance to vulnerable populations or publicly funded social and health services.
- Present complex ideas and information to a variety of audiences in both written and presentation formats and explain complex or technical information using plain talk.
- Demonstrated competency with the Microsoft suite of applications, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Ability to work independently with minimal oversight.
- Experience with DSHS programs, mission, goals, and/or strategic plan or experience working with WA State's Health Care Authority and/or Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
- Experience linking complex data sets with a common identifier across multiple levels of observation.
- Experience with analysis of administrative data.
- Specified knowledge of and experience conducting research related to vulnerable populations and services.
- Understanding of security procedures for working with confidential client data and human subjects research protocols.
Interested? Include:
- Three professional references’ contact information on your application.
- Your current resume.
- A cover letter explaining how your knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this role.
The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
Questions? If you have questions about job number 2025-01975 contact at raoa@dshs.wa.gov. To learn more about DSHS, go towww.dshs.wa.gov. To learn more about RDA, go tohttps://www.dshs.wa.gov/ffa/research-and-data-analysis/about-rda.
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may 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 job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
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Salary : $85,000 - $106,548
