Data Science & Informatics Specialist 3

Data Science & Informatics Specialist 3

Full Time | Permanent

Salary Range: $105,612 - $142,020 Annually

This is a telework/hybrid position. The candidate of choice may work from anywhere within the state of Washington with a reliable internet connection. Travel may be required.

Are you an experienced data expert who enjoys solving complex problems and turning data into valuable insights? As a Data Science & Informatics Specialist 3 (DSIS3), you will serve as a senior expert advancing the Washington State Department of Corrections’ mission to improve public safety by changing lives. This role leads high-impact data science projects that shape agency operations, support informed decision-making, and improve outcomes across the Department.

Within the Business Intelligence/Operational Surveillance (BIOS) unit of Research and Data Analytics (RDA), the DSIS3 independently designs, manages, and delivers data-driven solutions aligned with agency priorities and business practices. As a recognized subject-matter expert, the DSIS3 provides leadership in data science methodologies, systems design, information governance, and the development of innovative analytical solutions.

The DSIS3 translates complex business questions into rigorous analytical strategies, performs statistical analyses, and develops scalable data solutions that deliver actionable insights to DOC leadership, field operations, and policymakers. This position designs and maintains automated data pipelines, data models, decision-support systems, performance metrics, and visualization standards, strengthening the Department’s ability to use data effectively and responsibly.

This role also advances data science practices across the agency by helping establish data governance frameworks, interoperability standards, and DataOps and DevOps best practices within RDA. The DSIS3 collaborates with internal teams and external partners, mentors business analysts, evaluates analytical work through peer review, and provides expert guidance to ensure alignment with organizational data standards and state and federal information security requirements.

Through innovative thinking, technical expertise, and strategic leadership, the DSIS 3 plays a critical role in strengthening a data-driven culture and delivering insights that support the Department’s commitment to public safety.

A completed application packet will include:

We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service and are committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our incarcerated population, our agency, and our community.

As a Data Science & Informatics Specialist 3, some of your duties will include:

• Translating DOC business requirements into technically sound and operationally defensible analytical plans including:
  • Mapping Design Analyses competency domains: scoping analyses, anticipating competing explanations, and determining appropriate evaluation criteria
  • Leading the scoping and planning of complex analytical projects
  • Ensure conceptual integrity across all components of a project from design through delivery
  • Anticipating and addressing competing explanations and threats to analytical validity
  • Incorporate assumption checks, sensitivity analyses, and experimental or quasi-experimental design elements into project plans
  • Establishing diagnostic metrics, benchmarks, and key performance indicators to evaluate analytical outputs in the context of DOC operational needs
  • Ensure that results are assessed not only for statistical validity but for operational value relative to prior information
• Conducting Analyses and Incorporate into Pipelines to include:
  • Executing rigorous analyses, build automated infrastructure, and ensuring work is reproducible and scalable.
  • Mapping Conduct Analyses and Incorporate Analyses into Pipelines competency domains
  • Exploring data systematically prior to modeling
  • Characterize distributions, identify anomalies, engineer features, and apply quality control methods
  • Evaluate data for completeness, reasonableness, reliability, accuracy, and consistency
• Incorporating Pipelines into the Business through:
  • Integrating analytical products into DOC operations and ensuring findings reach and are usable by diverse stakeholders
  • Mapping Incorporate Pipelines into the Business competency domains by discovering organizational needs, navigating structure, and packaging technical work for diverse audiences
  • Proactively discovering and updating understanding of DOC operational needs, policy priorities, and industry context
• Build the Profession by:
  • Strengthening data science practice within BIOS, RDA, and the broader corrections data community
  • Mapping Build the Profession competency domain through external contribution, team leadership, and drafting policy and procedure
  • Leading and mentoring entry- and journey-level Data Science & Informatics Specialists and Data Consultant staff

What we need (required qualifications):

• Master's degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or related technical or quantitative field

AND

• One (1) year of professional experience performing data science or informatics work

OR

• Bachelor's degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or related technical or quantitative field

AND

• Three (3) years of professional experience performing data science or informatics work

OR

• High school diploma or equivalent

AND

• Seven (7) years of professional experience performing data science or informatics work

Required competencies:

• Design Analyses — Able to turn unclear needs into clear research questions. Can break large projects into smaller parts, each with clear goals and completion points. Spots risks to accuracy and adds checks to ensure results are solid. Sets criteria that judge results based on DOC needs, not just statistics.
• Conduct Analyses and Incorporate into Pipelines — Skilled at exploring data, creating helpful features, and checking data quality. Chooses and uses the right methods for each problem, such as sorting, grouping, or predicting. Uses R, Python, SQL, or SAS to gather, shape, and analyze data, and to build automated processes. Clearly documents work so others can repeat or review it. Follows organization standards for coding and tracking changes.
• Incorporate Pipelines into the Business — Able to find out what the business needs and turn it into a clear plan for analysis. Builds good relationships within the organization and gets support for data projects. Presents technical results in simple formats for different audiences, from field staff to lawmakers. Has experience advising on information tools and decision-making systems.
• Build the Profession — Can lead and mentor newer data science staff. Shares work openly for colleagues' review. Has experience writing policies and guides that spread best practices. Actively involved in the wider data science or corrections data community.
• Knowledge base — Knows how to collect, manage, and share data responsibly. Understands data analysis methods, statistics, and probability. Uses tools like Power BI or Tableau to make data easy to understand. Familiar with building and running databases and data systems. Understands how to keep data private and secure, and follows laws about data use.

What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications):

• Experience working in a public sector or justice-adjacent specialty area (corrections, public health, criminal justice, social services)
• Experience implementing automated pipelines integrating data from multiple enterprise systems
• Experience with data visualization software and statistical programming in an applied policy or operational setting; familiarity with correctional data standards and national interoperability frameworks
• Knowledge of how to design software and work in cloud environments
• PhD in a relevant quantitative field

Vision: Working together for safer communities.

Mission: Improving public safety by positively changing lives.

Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.

Our Core Values:

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form. https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
• DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit .
• This recruitment may be utilized to fill more than one position.
• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.
  **Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.
• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire. 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 position.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration.
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire. When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.

Telework Details

This position may be allocated for telework. If authorized for the role, work may be performed from your home or another offsite location within the state of Washington using a reliable internet or cellular hotspot service at that time. Employees are expected to perform assigned duties in a safe manner, to take proper care all state-issued equipment, and maintain confidentiality of all information in possession while working offsite. Employees will be required to commute to a Department of Corrections facility or field office as business requires, to potentially include components of the onboarding process. Some offices will have a “drop in” area available, however, a dedicated workspace within a DOC facility will not be provided.

What We Offer:

As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation. Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

• Remote/telework/flexible schedules (depending on position)
• Up to 25 paid vacation days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays a year
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more!

*Teamsters 117 represented positions receive 3 days of bereavement leave.

PERS: State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email mackenzie.conley@doc1.wa.gov or call us at 509-630-9160. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.