DSHS FTAA Data Science & Informatics Specialist 1

Salary: $86,688.00 - $116,544.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2026-07396
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: FTAA
Opening Date: 11/10/2026
Closing Date: 11/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step


Description


DSHS FTAA - Data Science & Informatics Specialist 1 Join our team as a research-focused statistical programmer and use your data analyst skills to support studies that improve social and health services for more than 2.6 million DSHS clients. The Research and Data Analysis (RDA) Division within the Finance, Technology, and Analytics Administration (FTAA) uses linked administrative data to evaluate programs, examine service use and outcomes, and inform policy and operational decisions.

In this role, you'll use SAS and SQL to extract, link, clean, validate, and analyze large person-level administrative datasets, as well as primary data collected using REDCap. Working alongside researchers, program experts, and partner agencies, you'll create reproducible analytic files, statistical tabulations, measures, and reports that support applied research and program evaluation.

Some of what you'll do:

• Write, test, document, and maintain SAS programs and SQL queries for research, evaluation, and program performance projects.
• Extract, link, clean, transform, and manage large person-level administrative datasets from multiple state systems, including service, eligibility, claims, encounter, cost, and outcome data, with an emphasis on substance use and mental health conditions and health-related social needs.
• Develop reproducible analytic datasets, cohorts, variables, measures, and data documentation using sound research data-management practices.
• Conduct descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, data tabulations, quality assurance, and validation to support applied research and program evaluation.
• Assess data completeness, consistency, and fitness for use; investigate anomalies and resolve data-quality issues with source-system and program experts.
• Translate research questions and study specifications into clear analytic approaches, programming logic, and accurate results.
• Prepare tables, reports, visualizations, technical documentation, and presentations that communicate methods, limitations, and findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Apply confidentiality, privacy, security, and data-sharing requirements when working with sensitive administrative data, including HIPAA and FERPA requirements.

Desired skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Proficiency as a statistical programming for data extraction, manipulation, linkage, validation, analysis, and reporting; experience with SAS and knowledge of DATA steps, procedures, macros, and reusable code is highly valued.
• Experience using SQL to query and combine data from relational databases.
• Experience working with large, complex administrative records, such as eligibility, enrollment, claims, encounters, services, costs, transactions, or program outcomes. Experience using Medicaid or behavioral health related claims data is ideal.
• Knowledge of applied research and program evaluation methods, including cohort construction, measure development, descriptive statistics, statistical testing, and interpretation of results.
• Strong data-quality and documentation practices, including code review, validation, version control concepts, metadata, data dictionaries, and reproducible workflows.
• Familiarity with primary data collection tools, such as REDCap, and applied knowledge with managing user access and privileges and providing support and technical assistance to end-users.
• Ability to understand how research questions translate into analytic specifications and be able to explain methods, assumptions, limitations, and findings from analytic datasets with other research staff clearly.
• Experience with R, Python, Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar tools is helpful but does not replace the need for strong SAS programming skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with researchers, program staff, database professionals, and external partners while protecting confidential data.

Who should apply? We encourage applications from statistical programmers, data analysts, research analysts, , and other professionals who have:

• A bachelor's degree in statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, economics, public policy, sociology, public health, data science, mathematics, computer science, informatics, or another quantitative or research-focused field and one (1) year of experience performing data analysis, statistical programming, or applied research.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience totaling five (5) years.

Additional required experience: In addition to the qualifications above, applicants must have at least one (1) year of experience in each of the following areas:

• Using SAS to manage, transform, validate, and analyze data.
• Working with large administrative datasets, such as social or health service records, eligibility or enrollment files, medical claims or encounters, transactions, costs, or other person-level program data.
• Supporting research, program evaluation, policy analysis, or performance measurement by preparing analytic datasets, statistical tabulations, measures, or reports.
• Documenting code, data sources, variable definitions, analytic decisions, and quality-assurance results so work can be reviewed and reproduced.
• Using REDCap, or other primary data collection tools, for data administration and survey design, as well as user management and providing technical assistance.
• Creating dashboards using Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar data visualization tools.
• Using SQL or another query language to retrieve and join data is preferred.

Ready to start a rewarding career? Apply today! Along with your application, please include:

• An updated resume
• A letter of interest
• Three professional references with contact information

Questions? Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Ricky Luna at and reference job number #07396.
The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency's vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Supplemental Information
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. 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 job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at . Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed . Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.
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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


Which option best describes how you meet the minimum education and experience qualifications for this position?

• I have a bachelor's degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or a related technical or quantitative field and at least one (1) year of experience performing data science or informatics work.
• I have an equivalent combination of education and experience totaling at least five (5) years.
• I do not meet either of the qualifications listed above.

02


Please describe your experience meeting at least two (2) of the following requirements. (A) Using SAS or SQL for data management and analysis. (B) Preparing statistical analyses and data tabulations for reports involving social and/or health services or other large, person-level statewide databases. (C) Creating metrics or indicators from transactions, medical claims or encounters, service records, or similar data sources. (D) Creating dashboards using Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar data visualization tools. (E) Using REDCap for data administration and survey design. (F) Performing federal GPRA data collection for Center for Substance Abuse Treatment grants and providing technical assistance to sub-grantee recipients.
Required Question