Research Analyst

Introduction

THE POSITION


The State of Connecticut's Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is currently seeking a qualified individual for the position of Research Analyst in their Health and Human Services Policy and Planning Division (HHSPPD).


WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

HIGHLIGHTS


This is a full-time position conveniently located in Hartford, CT, easily accessible to all major highways.

• LOCATION: Office of Policy and Management
• ADDRESS: 450 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT
• WORK HOURS: Full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week
• SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO

• Evaluate and analyze preliminary data for healthcare benchmarks (cost growth, hospital payment growth, quality benchmarks and primary care spending target).
• Provide general support for hospital price growth benchmark process, including cost growth performance plans, and data requirements.
• Support healthcare quality benchmark functions by assessing national standards, candidate measures, population health or social determinants of health factors and suggesting associated updates to Connecticut's quality benchmark approach.
• Research emerging national healthcare quality measures, value-based payment models, and best practices for improving healthcare quality, minimizing healthcare cost growth, increasing spending on primary care, and reducing hospital payment growth in Connecticut.

ABOUT US


At OPM we report directly to the Governor and provide information and analysis that the Governor uses to formulate public policy for the state. We also assist state agencies and municipalities in implementing the law and public policy on behalf of the people of Connecticut. We prepare the Governor's budget proposals; implement and monitor the execution of the enacted budget; and oversee the executive branch agencies that report to the Governor.

The Health and Human Services Policy and Planning Division (HHSPPD) leads a number of policy and planning teams aimed at improving the delivery of health care, long-term care services and supports and human services in the State. The Division provides research and staff support, represents OPM on numerous legislatively mandated councils and committees, manages federal grants, and monitors state and national activities that address quality, access and cost issues.

Learn more about making an impaCT by serving the state of Connecticut by watching the video below:

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:


Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library 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.
• 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 View email address on click.appcast.io.
• 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

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 View email address on click.appcast.io.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)


In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in research design and implementation.


EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Healthcare Benchmark Project Coordination:

• Evaluates and analyzes preliminary data for healthcare benchmarks (cost growth, hospital payment growth, quality benchmarks and primary care spending target).
• Monitors HCBI timeline, annual cycle, workplans, and supporting data requests.
• Provides general support for hospital price growth benchmark process, including cost growth performance plans, and data requirements.
• Coordinates and produces official agency notifications to all entities who fail to meet benchmarks. Manages and processes data requests.
• Carries out contact management and scheduling for the healthcare benchmark cycle and associated activities.
• Supports HCBI and related stakeholder bodies and ensures compliance with public meeting requirements including posting and notices.
• Supports development of reports, website content, presentations, and briefing materials for agency leadership and stakeholder meetings.
• Assists in developing policies and recommendations based on benchmark findings.

Quality Benchmark Enhancement:

• Supports healthcare quality benchmark functions by assessing national standards, candidate measures, population health or social determinants of health factors and suggesting associated updates to Connecticut's quality benchmark approach.
• Initiates collaborations with Connecticut's Health Information Exchange, insurance carriers, practice groups and state agencies to improve data accuracy and coordination.
• Monitors accuracy, consistency, completeness and timeliness of various quality submissions and related documents.
• Provides general support for clinical quality benchmarks and the Aligned Measure Set.
• Research emerging national healthcare quality measures, value-based payment models, and best practices for improving healthcare quality, minimizing healthcare cost growth, increasing spending on primary care, and reducing hospital payment growth in Connecticut.
• Assists in evaluating the impact of benchmark measures on healthcare quality, equity, and affordability.
• Performs related duties to support HHSPPD team as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • research methods and techniques;
  • statistics;
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • analyze data;
  • develop programs and use prepackaged computer programs to perform data analysis;
  • understand agency related policies and procedures as they relate to research.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE


Six (6) years of professional experience in research, data analysis or economics.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training 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 economics, statistics or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience synthesizing complex information from multiple sources and making data informed recommendations to move division initiatives forward;
• Experience developing and conducting research projects using data;
• Experience in health and human services, insurance, or public health related fields;
• Experience explaining complex or technical subject matter to a diverse set of stakeholders;
• Experience using software tools for data analysis;
• Experience reading and interpreting legislation, regulations, policy proposals and reports;
• Experience with Microsoft office suite; and,
• Experience with the development of graphics, reports or dashboards to present key findings and information and create data stories.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER


The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.