Salary: $93,804.00 - $126,168.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Remote Optional
Job Number:
Department: Health Care Authority
Division: SPI
Opening Date: 06/04/2026
Closing Date: 6/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
Data Science and Informatics Specialist 2 (DSIS2/SPI)

71066281

This position monitors and analyzes data for federal reporting on the use of behavioral health resources and needs across Washington. This Data Science and Informatics Specialist utilizes SAS, R, SQL, Tableau, and Power BI for reporting and analysis and ensures the accuracy and integrity of incoming data. If you are in search of an opportunity to support the utilization of behavioral health services across the state, this may be the opportunity for you!

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

About the position:

This position extracts knowledge from structured and unstructured health care data with a focus on creating advanced data analytics, applying statistical techniques, and developing data visualizations in support of SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Block Grants; SAMHSA Inventory of Treatment Facilities, and behavioral health programs.
This position is eligible to telework and is typically not required to report on-site.The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions - both on-site and telework eligible positions - is within the State of Washington. This position reports to Olympia, WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. All agency employees are required to report on-site in Olympia on their first and last days of employment to pick up and return state-issued equipment, regardless of telework status or location.
Duties
Some of what you will do:

• Use health care claims and supplementary data sources to design and develop health care reporting and visualizations for behavioral health programs and populations to help the agency make data-driven decisions.
• Collaborate with internal partners to acquire data, maintain, and update datasets in support of federal reporting requirements and behavioral health service availability assessments.
• Develop data expertise on the regional distribution of behavioral health facilities.
• Conduct quantitative analysis, reports, and interactive dashboards using Power BI or Tableau to provide insights to leadership.
• Develop analytic deliverables for internal and external requestors, HCA website, and legislative reports.
• Monitor, identify and understand data quality and completeness issues that impact business needs.
• Write data code/query scripts to create analytic datasets and generate data products from data sources using programming languages such as R, SAS, SQL, M code and/or Python.
• Develop algorithms, build data models, and automate data processing tasks.
• Combine multiple data formats and sources such as health care claims, medical records, surveillance data, surveys, and/or pharmacy data to meet analytic project requirements.
• Apply medical coding such as ICD-10, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes to analyze health care data.
• As directed, support management and information technology staff to monitor, identify, and understand data quality and completeness issues.

Qualifications
Required qualifications:

Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options (experience requirements may be gained concurrently):

Option 1:

• Master's degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or related technical or quantitative field, and
• Two (2) years of experience working with complex health care, behavioral health, and/or public health analytics, data visualization software and R, SAS, SQL, M code and/or Python programming.

Option 2:

• Bachelor's degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or related technical or quantitative field,
• Two (2) years of professional experience performing data science or informatics data work, and
• Two (2) years of experience working with complex health care, behavioral health, and/or public health analytics, data visualization software and R, SAS, SQL, M code and/or Python programming.

Option 3:

• Associate degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or related technical or quantitative field,
• Four (4) years of professional experience performing data science or informatics data work, and
• Two (2) years of experience working with complex health care, behavioral health, and/or public health analytics, data visualization software and R, SAS, SQL, M code and/or Python programming.

Option 4:

• Six (6) years of professional experience performing data science or informatics data work and
• Two (2) years of experience working with complex health care, behavioral health, and/or public health analytics, data visualization software and R, SAS, SQL, M code and/or Python programming.

Required competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy.

Preferred qualifications:

• Advanced professional experience using R or SAS to write data code and query scripts.
• Advanced professional experience using SQL or Python to write data code and query scripts.
• Advanced experience working with large and complex data sets and combining data from multiple sources; .
• Demonstrated knowledge of behavioral health primary prevention, treatment, and recovery services delivery or clinical settings.
• Knowledge of medical and/or pharmacy coding such as ICD-10, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes; health care business and systems; research methods; advanced statistical theory and techniques.
• Experience with data visualization using Power BI, Tableau and other similar visualization tools.
• Professional data quality assurance experience identifying and understanding data quality and completeness issues.
• Professional experience communicating complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Knowledge of the structure and operations of behavioral health systems at the local, state and national levels.
• Comfortable interacting with staff members at all levels of the agency; high level of workload management including organization and prioritization of tasks; ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team; excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated planning, critical thinking/analytical skills, and commitment to collaborative teamwork.
• Proficiency in problem identification, ability to view issues from multiple perspectives, and generate a variety of solutions.
• Oral communication skills facilitating small group meetings, written communication including concisely worded and professional e-mail communication, short, concise memoranda, flow diagrams, logic models, graphics and other visualizations.

How to apply:

Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach in separate files:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

What we have to offer:

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
• And free parking!

Notes:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, bo