Data Scientist

Introduction
The State of Connecticut, Office of Early Childhood (OEC) i n vites State of Connecticut employees to apply for the position of Data Scientist , i n Hartford, CT.
What We Can Continue to Offer You:

• NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation's best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown's Center on Health Insurance Reform an article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
• A competitive starting salary
• Learn more about what sets us apart as an employer with our Employer Value Proposition
• Retirement plan options
• Generous paid time off, including 13 holidays
• Work for a Forbes top company: State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
• State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.

Position Highlights:

• Full time
• First shift
• Location: 450 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT.

The Role:
The Data Scientist role will help lead the agencies' data and outcomes work and work closely with the Bureau of Information Technology Solutions (BITS), and other agencies to support OEC data system improvements for the agency and the field.
About Us: OEC is a unique State agency in Connecticut that helps families with young children achieve better life outcomes. Created in 2013, OEC is called on in its enabling statute to be data-driven, human-centered, and result-focused. We touch the lives of over 200,000 young children, parents, and caregivers annually through our integrated focus on early care and education programs and safety supports, our home visiting programs, and other critical early childhood services. By scale of funding, OEC is one of the largest departments of Connecticut state government, deploying and leveraging approximately half a billion dollars each year in service of vulnerable families and communities. Connecticut is a leader in the coordination of early childhood programs throughout the country. Whereas early childhood programming in most states is fragmented across multiple programs which families must navigate, only a handful of states have created agencies dedicated to integrating support families with young children require and only Connecticut has a clear data-driven mandate. New parenthood and early childhood are extremely important moments in a person's life and nurturing or harmful experiences during this time can have significant and long-lasting impacts.
Our Mission: OEC's mission is t o partner with families of young children to advance equitable early childhood policies, funding and programs; support early learning and development; and strengthen the critical role of all families, providers, educators, and communities throughout a child's life. We will assertively remove barriers and build upon the strengths of historically disenfranchised people and communities to ensure fair access to OEC resources.
Selection Plan

• To Apply:
  
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has worked for the state for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and 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 on the job opening, unless otherwise specified .
  • In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the individual listed on this job posting.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69 , the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
  • 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 DAS.SHRM@ct.gov .
  • For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from branch to branch but it does not impact your state service credit.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

• Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

Important Information After You Apply:

• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto- notification emails in a user's spam.
• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
• Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

Connect With Us:
Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Sharon McIntosh, at Sharon.McIntosh@ct.gov.
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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 specific research studies; develops statistical and computerized models for analyzing data and interprets results 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 research designs most suitable for the project/study at hand; evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of various statistical 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 and statistical techniques, methods, and use of statistical analysis software; oversees the production of research proposals, development and maintenance of databases, and interpretation, and writing of research and statistical reports for various intra and extra departmental audiences; may assist in the planning, 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 database management; considerable knowledge of management systems research and development related to social and economic trends; considerable knowledge of relevant State and Federal statutes, regulations and guidelines; knowledge of data processing computer programming for statistical analysis; knowledge of data retrieval and analysis methods; considerable written and oral communication skills; considerable interpersonal skills; ability to conduct longitudinal investigations/research, including interviewing and performing trend analyses and outcome effectiveness studies; ability to analyze and evaluate data using multiple regression, log linear analyses, factor analyses and multi-variate analyses; ability to use statistical packages and/or various data modeling platforms; ability to design and conduct studies and determine effective solutions; ability to write technical reports; some supervisory ability.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
A Master's degree in biostatistics, epidemiology, public health, psychology, statistics or a closely related area with significant coursework in research methodology and statistics and one (1) year of professional experience with significant involvement in research and statistical analysis.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience developing data systems, collecting and running reports
• Experience collaborating via phone, email, and in person across state agencies
• Experience with Microsoft office Suite, Excel, and databases
• Experience analyzing complex data and communicating the results to various stakeholders
• Experience interfacing with IT staff and adapting programs for improved data collection and entry

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.