Senior Data Scientist - Special Projects Lead
Please note\: Only applications submitted via Greenhouse will be considered.
APPLY HERE\: Job Application for Senior Data Scientist - Special Projects Lead at Office of the State Auditor
SALARY RANGE (Grade 15) CSA245\: $89,993.11/yr. -- $134,991.01/yr. (Commensurate with experience)
This position will be based out of the Boston, Lawrence, Quincy, Brockton, Marlboro, or Chicopee OSA offices. Please indicate your geographical preference in office location when applying per the application instructions below.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES\:
The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) seeks a Senior Data Scientist to design and deploy advanced analytics and mixed-methods research frameworks for public program evaluation. Operating at the intersection of data engineering, machine learning, and academic-grade policy research, the selected candidate will lead high-impact special projects for external partners and modernize internal operational analytics. This role is responsible for transforming complex, non-linear government datasets into predictive models, prescriptive insights, and methodologically defensible empirical evidence that directly informs statewide accountability and public policy.
The ideal candidate is a strategic, hyper-analytical thinker who brings a scientific mindset to complex public infrastructure. Rather than deploying off-the-shelf code, you will design scalable statistical models from scratch, conduct thorough literature reviews, and confidently defend empirical findings to diverse stakeholders.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED\:
Supervised by the Director of Data Analytics
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
· Formulate rigorous, testable hypotheses around complex public sector domains.
· Design and execute end-to-end research methodologies that seamlessly integrate qualitative policy analysis (literature reviews, regulatory frameworks, working papers, etc.) with quantitative empirical modeling around specific audit topics.
· Design, validate, and deploy advanced statistical and machine learning architectures (including supervised/unsupervised learning, clustering, and specialized anomaly detection) to isolate risk indicators, systemic fraud, and operational inefficiencies.
· Architect and maintain reproducible data pipelines and enterprise analytics solutions using Python, SQL, and the Microsoft Azure cloud ecosystem (Synapse, Data Factory, Azure ML).
· Conduct in-depth research into academic journals, specialized domain publications, and historical administrative data to determine and defend the most appropriate statistical and non-statistical methodologies for audit scenarios.
· Critically evaluate public sector data completeness, provenance, and relevance; design data taxonomy and classification frameworks alongside IT partners to ensure high-fidelity pipelines for modeling.
· Translate complex, multi-dimensional modeling results into interactive visual evidence (Power BI, Tableau, High-Quality Reports) that provides non-technical auditors and state decision-makers analytical clarity.
· Collaborate with audit teams to translate programmatic goals into data-driven methodologies and tools.
· Oversee and elevate the technical outputs of junior and mid-level analytics staff, translating strategic state-wide accountability goals into actionable research sprints, data-pipeline architecture, and defensible methodology designs.
Manage cross-functional project teams evaluating complex public programs, serving as the ultimate arbiter for research design quality, data integrity, and pipeline reproducibility.
The Office of the State Auditor is committed to providing equal employment opportunities. Employment actions such as recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting individuals are based upon a policy of non-discrimination. Employment decisions and actions are made without regard to race, color, gender, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, military status, genetic information, political affiliation, or veteran’s status.