Salary : $77,028.00 – $103,572.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Job Type: Agency Internal – Project
Remote Employment: Remote Optional
Job Number: 2023-07034
Department: Employment Security Department
Division: Data Architecture, Testing, & Analysis
Opening Date: 05/25/2023
Closing Date: 6/1/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Our Ideal Candidate is passionate about utilizing data-driven solutions to improve the jobseekers’ outcomes through the evaluation of Washington state’s Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program. Our ideal candidate is experienced in handling randomized controlled trials (RCT) and using statistical software like R and Python for data analysis. The ideal candidate is skilled in conducting comprehensive literature reviews, designing research methods, and developing econometric models. Our ideal candidate is also a well-organized team player who possesses excellent professional communication skills, excels at collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders, and is committed to delivering high-quality reports and recommendations on time.
The Data Architecture, Transformation and Analytics (DATA) Division of ESD supports the agency mission and the employment process by providing businesses, individuals, and other customers with the labor market information they need to succeed in a changing economy. The Operations Research Specialist position contributes to the achievement of the organization’s mission by building analytical capacity to prepare, organize and analyze data related to the evaluation of Washington state’s Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program to improve jobseekers’ outcomes.
Note: This opportunity is available for Internal Applicants only and a Project Position that is anticipated to end on December 31st, 2023.
Duties
The Operations Research Specialist will evaluate Washington state’s RESEA program, analyzing RCT data, designing research methods, and developing econometric models. They will collaborate with stakeholders, produce high-quality reports, and contribute to projects aimed at improving jobseekers’ outcomes and ensuring equity in unemployment insurance provisions.
Some of what your duties may look like:
• Conduct comprehensive literature review of impact evaluation and workforce policy impact studies to build knowledge to improve estimation and data-manipulation techniques.
• In coordination with IT staff, identify/build databases essential for the project. Gather, prepare, explore, and clean raw data to be used in the analysis. Examine the data and conduct basic statistical analysis.
• Carry responsibility for final report(s) of the study on the impact of the RESEA program, conclusions and recommendations; and for all technical and/or supervisory decisions related to their assigned evaluation projects.
• Extract and share data with customers according to their business needs. Per BLS or other guidelines, suppress protected information to maintain confidentiality.
• Coordinate intra- and inter-agency review processes and incorporate them into the evaluation plan to ensure timely delivery of the products.
• Share the study findings with internal and external stakeholders to encourage RESEA program staff to implement program changes.
• Conduct comprehensive literature review of impact evaluation and workforce policy impact studies to build knowledge to improve estimation and data-manipulation techniques.
• Consult with program administrators and agency management to develop initial research questions; assess and refine them based on policy implications, feasibility and data requirement; design a research project including timelines and required activities and resources to address them.
• Train and mentor other analysts in estimating techniques or changes in methodology; develop a professional development plan for each of the direct reports and keep tract of their progress.
Qualifications
• A Master’s degree in Operations Research, Management Science, Statistics, Science (including Social Sciences with strong quantitative analysis, for example, Economics), Mathematics and/or Computer Science, or related field; and three (3) years’ demonstrated experience in one of the above areas. (A Ph.D. may substitute for two years of the desired experience.)
OR
• Or a combination of education and/or relevant experience.
• Knowledge of: The body of logic principles, practices, and methods in the specialty field; statistical theory and techniques; research design and methods; complex methods of problem solving; purposes and objectives of agency research programs and activities.
• Ability to: develop, organize, direct difficult research; lead coordination of highly complex statistical projects; acquire data from the most complex data management systems; analyze and interpret complex data; write clearly and concisely; supervise and coordinate the work of others; deal practically and effectively with others in a staff relationship; proficient use of visualization tools, organize and prepare professional reports that Reason logically, draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
• A Ph.D. degree in Operations Research, Management Science, Statistics, Science (including Social Sciences with strong quantitative analysis, for example, Economics), Mathematics and/or Computer Science, or related field with strong quantitative skills.
Ideal Candidates will also have these desirable experience(s) or certification(s):
• Familiarity with labor economic theories including but not limited to Human Capital theory, Wage Theory, Signaling model, and Moral Hazard.
• Demonstrated ability to create tables, queries and other objects using tools such as SQL.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and apply algorithms using computer programming logic and languages such as R, and Python.
• Demonstrated ability to use specialized software (for example, Python, R or SQL) to collect data from large databases (big data or internal databases), create data sets for econometric or statistical analysis and conduct econometric or statistical analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to write technical and plain language reports.
• Demonstrated ability to review and edit peer’s reports for a general or technical audience.
• Demonstrated ability to interact confidently and effectively with stakeholders, customers, researchers, and other audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects.
Additional Requirements of Employment:
• Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claim & Benefit Information Review.
• Per Gov. Inslee’s Directive 22-13.1, employees of the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine series. As a condition of employment, ESD employees are required to provide proof of vaccination before starting work. A medical or religious exemption may be requested for accommodation.
• Must be able to travel as needed.
Please submit your Cover Letter and Resume with your Online Application through the “Add Attachments” field. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see attachments” may be considered incomplete.
Supplemental Information
Our agency’s mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that’s why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.
Opportunity for All
We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Thomas.DiGiorgio@esd.wa.gov or the Talent Acquisition Team.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.
This recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Candidates who are offered a job with ESD must possess work authorization which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
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, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
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.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 12-31-2022
01
I understand that in order to be considered for this position I must include a resume and letter of interest with this applicant packet.
- Yes
- No
02
Are you a current or former Washington state employee?
- Yes
- No
03
Please describe your experience with conducting randomized controlled trials (RCT) and how you utilized the results to make a tangible impact on program outcomes, particularly in the context of reemployment services or similar programs?
04
Which statistical software programs (such as R or Python) are you proficient in, and could you share a specific example of how you used these tools to analyze and interpret data for a workforce policy impact study?
05
Please describe a time when you successfully collaborated with internal and external stakeholders in previous roles, and how did you ensure effective communication of data-driven recommendations for program improvements?
06
I acknowledge that:- Per Gov. Inslee’s Directive 22-13.1, employees, of the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine series. As a condition of employment, ESD employees are required to provide proof of vaccination before starting work. A medical or religious exemption may be requested for accommodation.
- Yes
- No
Required Question