Research Analyst (Management Analyst 4)

Salary: $5,479.00 – $7,368.00 Monthly

Location : Multiple Locations – Western Washington, WA

Job Type: Full Time – Permanent

Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number: 2023-13419

Department: Dept. of Corrections

Division: BSTA – Research & Data Analytics

Opening Date: 10/17/2023

Closing Date: 10/31/2023 10:00 AM Pacific

Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description

Research Analyst (Management Analyst 4)

Research & Data Analytics

Full Time | Permanent

Salary Range: $5,479- $7,368 Monthly

This is a telework/hybrid position. The candidate of choice may be asked to work in the Tumwater, WA office one day per week. Travel will be required 2-4 times per year.

Are you an objective and analytical leader with a knack for research? Do you have the ability to conduct research, evaluate and analyze policies and programs? If you answered ‘yes’, the Washington State Department of Corrections is seeking a Research Analyst (Management Analyst 4) to join the Research and Data Analytics team! The goal of the Research Analyst is to provide analyses and recommendations for management solutions, reports, and presentations on divisional, agency, and/or routine issues that have significant impacts to the entire department.

In this role, you will analyze data in SAS and SQL and make recommendations regarding multi-dimensional and complex issues having a significant impact to our external customers including, but not limited to, legislative staff, Office of Financial Management staff, the Governor’s Policy Office, the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, and organizations and institutions that have requested data and/or technical advice. In addition, you will be tasked with providing professional technical analytical advice and consultation to executives, managers, and operational/business units inside the agency on data-related issues and producing ad hoc and recurring reports to support data-driven decisions at all levels of the organization.

The critical role of Research Analyst contributes to the development of performance measures that support the department’s strategic goals, including data collection, tracking, analyses, and reporting as requested by the department’s executive managers. You will produce complex reports and data analyses that sustain Results Washington and Results DOC performance measures, contribute to problem- solving efforts as identified and prioritized by agency leadership, and participate in other process improvement efforts within Research & Data Analytics.

If you have a passion for public service, data and analytics – review this job posting, decide, and apply!

A completed application packet will include:

• A detailed resume
• A cover letter regarding your interest for this position with our agency
• Three professional references

Duties

We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service, 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 Management Analyst 4, some of your duties will include:

• Directly supporting internal research projects that align with DOC strategic initiatives to improve processes, programs, and public safety outcomes including:
  1. Working with stakeholders to establish data sources, research questions, methodology, data requirements, analysis plans, timelines, and deliverables.
  2. Facilitating the Washington State Institutional Review Board (WSIRB) review and approval process.
  3. Ensuring appropriate documentation of project, including purpose, design, timeline, data sources, counting rules, program code, and associated products (update as needed).
  4. Assisting with Data Share Agreements (DSAs) and Memorandums of Understanding (MOU)
• Delivering and receiving peer reviews including:
  1. Performing peer reviews on RDA staff work
  2. Testing program and/or code to ensure accuracy
  3. Reviewing coding, presentations and other tasks while providing feedback
• Contributing to problem-solving efforts as identified and prioritized by agency leadership, and other process improvement efforts within RDA
• Ensuring appropriate data use and customer satisfaction through supporting tasks
• Responding to ad hoc, recurring, and external research requests from stakeholders in a responsive, accurate, and timely manner
• Independently developing, preparing analyses, and recommending data and business rules that support data needs, summaries, and reports
• Requesting include those from Legislative staff, the Governor’s office, and other high-profile customers

Qualifications

What we need (required qualifications):

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Public Administration, social sciences, or a relevant field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent

AND

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience working with SAS (or equivalent statistical software including SPSS, R, Stata) and/or structured query language (Microsoft SQL or equivalent) to respond and complete research and/or policy-related inquiries and tasks.

OR

• Four (4) years of experience working with SAS (or equivalent statistical software including SPSS, R, Stata) and/or structured query language (Microsoft SQL or equivalent) to respond and complete research and/or policy-related inquiries and tasks

AND

• Intermediate skill level in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• A solid knowledge of program evaluation and research methods: design, sampling and survey, statistical analysis, and qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Ability to explain complex or technical information using plain language, ask clarifying questions, and clearly and concisely emphasize key points.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines and a high degree of political sensitivity.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

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

• Able to explain complex or technical information using plain talk principles.
• Actively listens to others, paraphrases and asks clarifying questions and is able to clearly and concisely emphasize key messages.
• Demonstrates critical and applied quantitative and qualitative statistical analytic skills.
• Able to break down, sort, and synthesize information; identify key messages and central themes; form accurate conclusions about the meaning of the information; display through clear charts and graphics; and develop appropriate action steps and recommendations.
• Demonstrates ability to combine data from multiple data sources in an accurate and efficient manner.
• Demonstrates advanced degree of skill in SAS, SQL, or an equivalent programming language.
• Demonstrates ability to identify opportunities for improving and streamlining work processes beyond specific assignment, focuses on outcomes, takes calculated risks.
• Able to embrace challenges in new and creative ways.
• Comprehends and can explain the purpose(s) of a particular project and how it relates to the agency’s goals and priorities.
• Able to convey how business rules relate to counting rules.
• Builds and maintains internal and external customer satisfaction with the services offered by RDA.
• Anticipates customers’ needs and understands customers’ organization to be able to work through solutions readily.
• Knowledge of corrections or criminal justice practices and research.

Supplemental Information

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.

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:

• 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. 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 vacations 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!

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.

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

Are you a current DOC employee?

• Yes
• No

02

Please select the answer that best describes your highest level of completed education:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Public Administration, social sciences, or a relevant field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent
• Masters degree or higher

03

How many years of experience do you have working with SAS (or equivalent statistical software including SPSS, R, Stata) and/or structured query language (Microsoft SQL or equivalent) to respond and complete research and/or policy-related inquires and tasks?

• I do not have this experience
• I possess one (1) year of this experience
• I possess two to three (2-3) years of this experience
• I possess four (4) or more years of this experience

04

Do you have demonstrable knowledge of program evaluation and research methods including design, sampling and survey, statistical analysis, and qualitative and quantitative research methodologies?

• Yes
• No

05

If you indicated having demonstrable knowledge of program evaluation and research methods including design, sampling and survey, statistical analysis, and qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, please describe in detail your experience. If you do not have this experience, please put NA. See resume will be considered an incomplete answer.

06

Do you have the ability to explain complex or technical information using plain language, ask clarifying questions, and clearly and concisely emphasize key points?

• Yes
• No

07

Which one of the following best describes your highest level of Microsoft Word skills? (To qualify for the Intermediate level, you must also be able to perform the functions at the Basic level; to qualify for the Advanced level, you must also be able to perform the functions at Basic and Intermediate levels; to qualify for the Expert level, you must also be able to perform the functions at the Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.))

• I do not have enough skills to meet the definition of the Basic level below
• BASIC: Create, save, preview and print a basic document; edit selected text; change font appearance; highlight text; format paragraphs with tabs, borders, shading and styles; page setup, use auto correct
• INTERMEDIATE: Insert graphic objects and visual effects to a document; add tables to a document or convert tables to text; add watermarks, borders, headers and footers; use the word look up (thesaurus, dictionary); customize tables and charts; modify pictures in document; create customized graphic elements; use templates
• ADVANCED: Insert content using quick parts; control text flow; perform mail merge function; uses macros for tasks; insert cover pages and table of contents; track changes and comments; insert bookmarks, footnotes and endnotes; add hyperlinks; cross-references and citations; link documents to excel worksheets; send document to PowerPoint; merge documents; redaction function; hide text; add digital signature, restrict access and use passwords; create, protect and automate forms
• EXPERT: Able to use and train others in all Word functions listed above

08

Which one of the following best describes your highest level of Microsoft Excel skills? (To qualify for the Intermediate level, you must also be able to perform the functions at the Basic level; to qualify for the Advanced level, you must also be able to perform the functions at Basic and Intermediate levels; to qualify for the Expert level, you must also be able to perform the functions at the Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.))

• I do not have enough skills to meet the definition of the Basic level below
• BASIC: Create basic worksheets; create basic formulas; use basic functions; modify and format a worksheet; print workbooks
• INTERMEDIATE: Use advanced formulas; organize tables and worksheets; create and modify charts; analyze data using Pivot tables and Pivot Charts; insert and modify graphic objects in a worksheet
• ADVANCED: Create and edit macros; conditional formatting; apply data validation criteria; able to protect, share and merge files; trace cells and troubleshoot formula errors; uses data list outline; consolidate data and link workbooks; export and import text files and XML data; import data from the Web and create Web queries; analyze data using trend lines, Sparklines and scenarios
• EXPERT: Able to use and train others in all Excel functions listed above and uses advanced formulas, functions and arrays; uses information, date and time functions; uses advanced editing and formatting; advanced chart formatting; runs solver models and reports; embed and link information; set up customization including automation

09

Which one of the following best describes your highest level of Microsoft Outlook skills? (To qualify for the Intermediate level, you must also be able to perform the functions at the Basic level; to qualify for the Advanced level, you must also be able to perform the functions at Basic and Intermediate levels; to qualify for the Expert level, you must also be able to perform the functions at the Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.)

• I do not have enough skills to meet the definition of the Basic level below
• BASIC: Compose email messages; send and respond to messages; organize email into folders; create contact information; schedule appointments; schedule meetings, manage tasks and notes
• INTERMEDIATE: Set calendar options; sort, find and filter messages; create distribution lists; share and delegate folder access; customize toolbar, menu bar, quick access tool bar and the To-DO bar; customize message options; use the journal entry to track and record; assign, reply and track tasks; create public folders and send and post information
• ADVANCED: Personalize with stationary and themes; create signatures; configure email security settings; group items and create search folders; apply conditional formatting; manage data files; create mail merge using contacts; archive messages
• EXPERT: Able to use and train others in all Outlook functions listed above

10

Please indicate all knowledge, skills and/or abilities in which you possess:

• Demonstrates critical and applied quantitative and qualitative statistical analytic skills
• Able to break down, sort, and synthesize information; identify key messages and central themes; form accurate conclusions about the meaning of the information; display through clear charts and graphics; and develop appropriate action steps and recommendations
• Demonstrates ability to combine data from multiple data sources in an accurate and efficient manner
• Demonstrates advanced degree of skill in SAS, SQL, or an equivalent programming language
• Demonstrates ability to identify opportunities for improving and streamlining work processes beyond specific assignment, focuses on outcomes, takes calculated risks
• Knowledge of corrections or criminal justice practices and research
• I do not have any of the above knowledge, skills and/or abilities

Required Question