Data Scientist (Data Science & Informatics Specialist 2)

Salary: $7,973.00 - $10,721.00 Monthly
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2026-WTB-003
Department: Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board
Opening Date: 09/16/2026
Closing Date: 10/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
Data Scientist (Data Science & Informatics Specialist 2)

Monday - Friday | 8AM - 5PM | HYBRID

NOTE:
The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the required posting period, and during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.

Who We Are:
The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board) is a tri-partite board (business, labor, and government), and cabinet agency created to provide objective planning, coordination, evaluation, monitoring, policy analysis and advocacy across Washington's comprehensive workforce development system in support of Washington's workers, jobseekers, businesses, and communities. The Workforce Board engages a wide range of state, local, and federal agencies, business, labor, community-based organizations, and others representing system customers to inform our work. Board and agency staff maintain a laser focus on the state's economic strength, the availability of a strong and responsive talent pipeline, and on equitable access to that pipeline for every Washingtonian. For more information about the Workforce Board, you can access the website at .

About the Opportunity:
As a Data Scientist, you will independently design and execute complex, statewide research projects that directly inform state policymaking and impact critical state and federal funding streams. Utilizing advanced statistical techniques, sophisticated systems, and rigorous analytical models, you will drive performance management, program evaluation, and survey design, translating data into actionable findings and strategic recommendations for executive leadership, board members, and external stakeholders. Beyond research execution, you will serve as the primary lead for agency data sharing agreements (DSAs), represent the agency on cross-agency data integration workgroups, and present findings at conferences and partner networks to foster collaboration and continuous process improvement.

Duties


Some of What You'll Enjoy Doing Includes:

• Serve as one of the agency's Data Scientists, designing advanced statistical models for performance management, program evaluation, and survey design to inform state policymaking.
• Direct multidisciplinary project teams and lead comprehensive economic and statistical research initiatives.
• Translate complex data analyses into strategic findings and actionable recommendations for executive management and board members.
• Develop statistical business procedures while ensuring agency databases and policies comply with state and federal regulations.
• Lead multidisciplinary research teams as the primary researcher, overseeing projects from execution to final presentation.
• Translate complex results into data visualizations and present key findings and recommendations to executive leadership, board members, and stakeholders.
• Manage and maintain compliant agency data sharing agreements (DSAs) by identifying research data needs and collaborating with partners to ensure strict confidentiality and security.
• Represent the agency on cross-agency workgroups to drive data integration solutions and streamline DSA processes.
• Other duties as needed.

Qualifications


Required Qualifications:

• Eight (8) years of combined related education and/or experience.
  • Related experience includes experience as a researcher in the social science field, and/or experience using quantitative research methods which include multivariate regression analysis.
  • Related education includes education in quantitative social science, or related field.
• Two (2) years of professional experience using statistical software like SAS, SPSS, STATA, or R.
• One (1) year of experience using relational databases like Access, Oracle, or SQL.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in team and project management.
• Experience designing, managing, and working with complex administrative, demographic, and multi-source longitudinal databases.
• Experience with applying advanced statistical methods, including linear and logistic regression models, to analyze complex data sets.
• Experience communicating complex findings clearly through concise summaries and data-focused presentations for diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One (1) year of experience analyzing aggregate employment or training data.
• Experience with design and analysis of survey data.
• Experience in cost estimation for research projects and activities.

Supplemental Information


How to Apply:
Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click "Apply" at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest that shows your personality and voice to describe why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• A current resume , detailing experience, and education
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not be substitute for completing the "duties summary" section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for detail or your application may be disqualified.

Union Inclusion: This position is in a bargaining unit and falls under the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the state of Washington and the Washington Federation of State Employees.

The Workforce Board is a small agency with a big mission! Its success is a critical component of our state's economic recovery and the future success of Washington's businesses and workers. Every position is necessary, and every employee is expected to meet very high standards of performance and productivity in order to fulfill the Board's obligations to the state's citizens and employers. We aim to be the workplace of choice for professionals in our fields of practice. Additionally, all Workforce Board employees are stewards of the public trust and are expected to model this behavior and attitude, and work to ensure that the public trust in the Workforce Board never falls into question. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetics, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To take advantage of veterans' preference , please include your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from USDVA in your online application.

Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact George Deguzman via email at Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-.
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, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) 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 01-07-2026
01


Are you currently employed by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (WTB)?

• Yes
• No

02


Are you willing to undergo a federal background check as a condition of employment?

• Yes
• No

03


How many years of experience do you have as a researcher in the social science field, and/or using quantitative research methods which include multivariate regression analysis?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 or more years
• 2 or more years
• 3 or more years
• 4 or more years
• 5 or more years
• 6 or more years
• 7 or more years
• 8 or more years
• I do not have this experience.

04


What is your level of education?

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Some or no college.
• 1 year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter credits) in quantitative social science, or related field.
• 1 year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter credits) in an unrelated field.
• Associate's degree OR 2 years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) in quantitative social science, or related field.
• Associate's degree OR 2 years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) in an unrelated field.
• 3 years of college (90 semester or 135 quarter credits) in quantitative social science, or related field.
• 3 years of college (90 semester or 135 quarter credits) in an unrelated field.
• Bachelor's degree in quantitative social science, or related field.
• Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
• Master's degree (or higher) in quantitative social science, or related field.
• Master's degree (or higher) in an unrelated field.
• None of these apply.

05


How many years of experience do you have using statistical software like SAS, SPSS, STATA, or R?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 or more years
• 2 or more years
• 3 or more years
• I do not have this experience.

06


How many years of experience do you have using relational databases like Access, Oracle, or SQL?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 or more years
• 2 or more years
• 3 or more years
• I do not have this experience.

07


Do you have demonstrated leadership experience in team and project management?

• Yes
• No

08


Do you have experience designing, managing, and working with complex administrative, demographic, and multi-source longitudinal databases?

• Yes
• No

09


Do you have experience applying advanced statistical methods, including linear and logistic regression models, to analyze complex data sets?

• Yes
• No

10


Do you have experience communicating complex findings clearly through concise summaries and data-focused presentations for diverse audiences?

• Yes
• No

11


How did you learn about this job posting?

• Careers.wa.gov
• Friend
• Indeed
• Job Board
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Other

12


We would like to know where you heard about this position. If you selected Job Fair, Job Board, or Other, please let us know the specific name of the college, job board, or place you heard about this position. If you selected a specifically named job board or webpage (listed above), please enter "n/a".
Required Question