Data Scientist job at District of Columbia Department of Human Services (DHS)

Job Description

This position is located in the Division of Data, Analytics, Research and Evaluation (DARE), within the Economic Security Administration (ESA) at the Department of Human Services (DHS) and reports to the Data Analysis Manager.

This position functions as an expert for data science and predictive analytics for the ESA, providing guidance and support for a variety of public assistance programs, and performing routine and ad-hoc analyses about ESA policies, programs, services, and strategic initiatives.

ABOUT DHS

It is the mission of DHS is to empower every District resident to reach their full potential by providing meaningful connections to work opportunities, economic assistance and supportive services.

ESA oversees the District of Columbia’s public benefit programs, including food and cash benefits, and the eligibility of medical assistance programs. ESA engages in cutting-edge programming and uses the 2Generational Approach to serve residents.

Duties and Responsibilities

Candidates will provide the framework for ESA to adopt and implement advanced data science methods and techniques, including machine learning, by providing technical assistance and working with staff and leadership to reduce errors, increase efficiencies, and improve the customer experience. The candidate will be required to lead and manage routine and ad-hoc statistical and predictive analyses, working with ESA divisions, District agencies, and other external partners. The candidate will use machine learning to identify ways that ESA can improve service delivery and internal operations, as well as perform exploratory analyses and identify meaningful patterns and relationships within the data. The candidate will participate in the development of policy proposals and conduct complex analyses of anticipated effects of legislation on programs and services (e.g., cost-benefit analysis, caseload projection, and impact analysis).

Candidates will be required to use statistical and computer science software to navigate big data and multiple databases residing in different platforms, to carry out analyses that includes identifying appropriate data sources, compiling and cleaning data, analyzing and visualizing findings, writing reports, and developing recommendations. The candidate will work closely with IT staff to support system enhancements on behalf of program staff, as well as work with the agency’s eligibility system report writers and vendors to develop and improve data reports and data accuracy. Candidates will be required to create clear and compelling data visualizations using programs like Tableau, Excel, and Python for use in data dashboards, fact sheets, research briefs, and other publications. Candidates will be required to use SQL, Tableau, and Microstrategy to analyze and visualize data for various monitoring and reporting activities across ESA programs and divisions.