Data Scientist

Introduction

The Connecticut Office of Correction Ombudsman within the Office of Government Accountability (OGA) is accepting applications for a Data Scientist in Hartford.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Monday-Friday.
• Full Time, 40 hours/week.
• First Shift, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Location: 55 Farmington Avenue in Hartford, CT.
• The position will be primarily based at the Office of the Correction Ombuds in Hartford. Occasional attendance at correctional facilities, meetings, hearings, or other off-site locations may be required based on operational needs. Remote work may be available consistent with state policy and the operational needs of the Office.

THE ROLE

The Data Scientist will support the Office's oversight mission through research, data collection and analysis, development of performance measures, identification of trends and systemic issues, and preparation of reports and other research products concerning Connecticut's correctional system.

The role includes:

• Develops and conducts research projects related to conditions of confinement, correctional operations, health care, complaints, investigations, and other areas within the jurisdiction of the Office of the Correction Ombuds.
• Collects, organizes, analyzes, and interprets quantitative and qualitative data obtained from the Department of Correction, Office complaint records, surveys, interviews, public records, and other sources.
• Develops and maintains databases, tracking systems, and other tools used to monitor complaints, investigations, recommendations, trends, and outcomes.
• Conducts statistical and trend analyses to identify systemic issues, disparities, patterns, and changes within Connecticut's correctional system.
• Develops performance measures and methodologies for evaluating correctional programs, services, policies, practices, and conditions.
• Prepares statistical, narrative, and graphical presentations of research findings for reports, presentations, hearings, and other Office publications.
• Assists with the development and analysis of surveys and other research instruments used to obtain information from incarcerated individuals and other stakeholders.
• Conducts research regarding correctional policies, practices, programs, and relevant state and national trends.
• Provides research and data support for Office investigations, systemic reviews, legislative initiatives, policy recommendations, and public reports.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, 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 contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: 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.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates- such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information".
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay Connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 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, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Brittney Woodley at brittney.woodley@ct.gov. Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is responsible for independently performing a full range of tasks in the data management, analysis, and predictive activities to support data-driven decision-making.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Applies statistical, analytical and data management principles and techniques to a variety of datasets and projects;
• Designs and develops data-driven projects and works with agency staff to understand and translate business problems, domain knowledge and management objectives into analytic projects;
• Prepares and uses established quantitative frameworks and computerized methods to analyze, summarize, visualize and interact with data to support business and client needs;
• Evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of standard analytical techniques;
• Conducts literature reviews and prepares summaries to support agency activities;
• Consults with agency staff on use of data and identifies risks and benefits of using such data and remedies that could offset any risks;
• Prepares project proposals, maintains databases and datasets, and develops reports for intra and extra departmental audiences;
• Assesses and implements technologies related to data preparation and analysis;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • methods of research design, statistical analysis and data management;
  • management and development of principles related to data and analytics projects;
  • relevant state and federal statutes, regulations and guidelines;
  • data preparation and management and related tools and technology to implement data and analytics projects;
  • data governance and data management practices;
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • conduct analysis, including collecting and preparing data, and summarizing and reporting conclusions;
  • perform data analysis including identifying and using appropriate data and quantitative frameworks to support program and/or policy decisions;
  • use relevant software, tools for spatial analysis, and/or programming languages to run analyses and generate reports and visualizations;
  • develop project designs and implement them independently;
  • prepare clear and accurate summaries, visualizations, and dynamic reports or dashboards based on data findings;
  • translate data and analysis into policy or program recommendations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of professional experience in data analytics, quantitative methods, or geographic information systems, involving statistical modeling or spatial data analysis.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the junior working level assisting in the performance of data management, analysis, and predictive activities to support data-driven decision-making.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of an Assistant Data Scientist.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training in data science, mathematics, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, public health, psychology, computer science, geographic information systems, geography, or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in data science, mathematics, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, public health, psychology, computer science or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience conducting quantitative or qualitative research, including research design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Experience analyzing administrative, programmatic, operational, or other large datasets and preparing statistical and narrative reports.
• Experience developing or maintaining databases, data tracking systems, dashboards, or data visualization tools.
• Experience conducting research related to criminal justice, corrections, public policy, health and human services, or another governmental or social-services system.
• Experience preparing research findings, data analyses, policy analyses, or reports for executive, legislative, governmental, or public audiences.

Conclusion