Departmental Specialist 14 - Data Scientist Subject Matter Expert - MDHHS OIG

Salary : $2,822.40 - $4,208.80 Biweekly
Location : Multiple Locations Available - See Posting for Details, MI
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Remote Employment: Remote Optional
Job Number: 3947-26-OIG-18-FILL
Department: Health and Human Services - Central Office
Opening Date: 05/20/2026
Closing Date: 6/3/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: NON-EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE (NERE)


Job Description
The MDHHS mission is to provide opportunities, services, and programs that promote a healthy, safe, and stable environment for residents to be self-sufficient. We are committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and a work environment whereby all employees are treated with dignity, respect and fairness. For more information, please visit our
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG) - CAREER BROCHURE

This position functions as the Data Scientist Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the design and implementation of 'scenario research and deployment' for the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG). This identified specialty area utilizes technical and staff resources to research and explore the development and viability of fraud scenarios for numerous MDHHS program areas. The position is responsible for the outcomes of the specialty area and for guiding a research team assigned by executive leadership. The position requires a significant level of technical aptitude and independent decision-making skills to coordinate and accomplish the goals and initiatives of the OIG's Investigative Analytics Section in its supportive role to the entire OIG. The position designs, implements, and administers a new process to incorporate and validate Medicaid encounters, at large scale, into the fraud scenario development process. The position dedicates resources to identify and propose technically innovative solutions to improve business workflows throughout the administration. The position develops and maintains proprietary dashboards, data architecture/data marts, and databases. The position is responsible for ensuring federal and state laws, along with MDHHS policies, are appropriately integrated into all reporting and system development projects.

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To be considered for this position you must:

• Apply for this position online via NEOGOV; click on "Apply" in the job posting for instructions on submitting your electronic application. Hard copy applications are not accepted.
• Relevant experience and/or education referred to in the supplemental questions must be documented in the resume, transcript and/or application to allow for accurate screening.
• Attach a resume identifying specific experience and dates of employment. Dates of employment should include month and year and hours per week.
• Attach a cover letter.
• If applicable, attach a copy of an official transcript(s). We accept scanned copies of official transcripts. We do not accept web-based, internet, or copies of unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts provide the name of the institution, confirmation that a degree was awarded and on what date, and the registrar's signature. Please review Civil Service's guidelines regarding Official Transcripts:

Failure to complete any of the above items may result in your application not being considered. See instructions for attaching files here:

Required Education and Experience

Education
Possession of a bachelor's degree in any major.


Experience

Four years of professional experience, including two years equivalent to the experienced (P11) level or one year equivalent to the advanced (12) level.

Additional Requirements and Information


The use of artificial intelligence (AI) software of any kind is prohibited in all areas of the selection process; including, but not limited to, responses to application questions, and responses to interview questions or exercises.


If you previously held status in this classification and departed within the last three (3) years, please contact Human Resources regarding your interest in a potential reinstatement. Reinstatement is not guaranteed or required.

Your application for any position does not guarantee you will be contacted by the Department/Agency for further consideration. Only those applicants interviewed will be notified of the results.

Position Location/Remote Office: The physical location of this position is 235 S Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933/remote. Based on operational needs and within established limits, remote work and alternate or hybrid work schedule requests for this position may be considered. Selected candidates who have been approved to work remotely or a hybrid schedule must complete that work within Michigan. Candidates should confirm work location and schedule at the time of interview.
Employees will be provided computers to perform state work. Phones may also be provided for necessary communications. If working remotely, employees will be responsible for providing other components of a remote office at their own expense, including:
o A secure work location that allows privacy and prevents distractions.

o A high-speed internet connection of at least 25 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload.

o Suitable lighting, furniture, and utilities.

As a Condition of Employment: this position requires successful completion of a background investigation and a criminal records check. Due to the nature of this position, an additional extensive background check will be conducted on candidates being considered for the vacancy.

The Department of Health & Human Services reserves the right to close this posting prior to its original end date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
For information about this specific position, please email . Please reference the job posting number in subject line.
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MDHHS is proud to be a Michigan Veteran's Affairs Agency (MVAA) Gold Level Veteran-Friendly Employer.
Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.
More details on benefits for our new hires are below:

Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.


Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at


Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at


Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.


Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.


Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.


Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.


Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.


Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.


Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.


Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.


Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.


Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.


Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.


Updated: 2/28/24
01


DEPSPL - Do you possess one of the following?A bachelor's degree or higher in any major. If so, please attach a copy of your official college transcripts.OR At least one year of professional experience in the state classified service.

• Yes
• No

02


DEPSPL - Do you possess at least four years of professional experience?

• Yes
• No

03


Which best describes your professional proficiency with advanced statistical programming (Python or R) for building data pipelines or predictive models?

• None / Beginner (I can read it, but rarely write it from scratch)
• Intermediate (I can write basic scripts and use standard libraries)
• Advanced (I architect automated pipelines, use version control like Git, and deploy models)

04


How many years of professional experience do you have writing advanced SQL (e.g., window functions, CTEs) to extract and manipulate data within enterprise data warehouses (e.g., Teradata, Snowflake)?

• 5 years or more
• 3-4 years
• 1-2 years
• None to less than 1 year

05


Do you have professional experience using Git or other version control systems to manage analytical code?

• Yes
• No

06


If you answered yes to having professional experience using Git or other version control systems to manage analytical code, describe your standard committing and branching workflow in exactly one sentence. If you do not have this experience, write "N/A".
07


Name one specific Python library or R package you frequently use for data manipulation. In 50 words or less, describe a specific bug, error, or limitation you encountered using it, and the programmatic workaround you used to fix it. Due to the character max in the response box below, your response may need to be attached as a separate document to your application if it doesn't fit in the box below. Please write "see attachment" in the box and attach your response as a separate document to your application materials.
08


In exactly two sentences, describe a time a non-technical manager or stakeholder asked you for a data deliverable that was mathematically impossible or logically flawed. How did you redirect them?Due to the character max in the response box below, your response may need to be attached as a separate document to your application if it doesn't fit in the box below. Please write "see attachment" in the box and attach your response as a separate document to your application materials.
09


Which of the following best describes your preferred working dynamic for complex analytical projects?

• I prefer to receive well-defined requirements and work entirely independently to write and deploy the code.
• I prefer to own the entire project lifecycle completely independently, from stakeholder meetings to the final coding.
• I prefer to architect the solution, delegate specific coding tasks to junior team members, and serve as the technical reviewer and primary stakeholder liaison.

10


Describe a time when you needed to work cooperatively with someone that did not share the same ideas as you.
11


Do you have any objection to being finger printed or drug tested?

• Yes
• No

12


Do you have any substantiated cases of abuse or neglect reported on the MI Department of Human Services Central Registry?

• Yes
• No

13


Do you have an Intentional Program Violation from the Department of Health and Human Services?

• Yes
• No

14


Please select from the options below: (Please note, actions that have been expunged, formal counseling, and layoff actions, such as a reduction in force, need not be reported.) Please select all that apply.

• I have been dismissed within the last two years
• I have resigned in lieu of discipline or dismissal within the last two years
• I have been suspended without pay within the last two years
• I have received a written reprimand within the last two years
• I have received an unsatisfactory rating within the last two years
• I have signed a last chance agreement with MDHHS within the last two years
• I certify that none of the above circumstances apply to me

15


If you selected that you have been dismissed within the last two years, resigned in lieu of dismissal within the last two years, suspended without pay within the last two years, received a written reprimand within the last two years, received an unsatisfactory rating within the last two years, or signed a last chance agreement with MDHHS within the last two years, please provide an explanation below. If none of the above apply to you, please enter 'N/A'.
16


From the options below, which accurately describes your current status? (A current state employee works for an actual state department such as the Department of Corrections, the Department of Transportation, etc.)

• A current Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) employee
• A Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) employee in layoff status
• A current State of Michigan (non-MDHHS) employee
• A State of Michigan (non-MDHHS) employee in layoff status
• None of the above

17


Are you a current MDHHS employee classified as a Departmental Specialist 14 and interested in moving to the same classification and level at this location?

• Yes
• No

18


Did you attach a cover letter and a copy of your résumé to your application? (Failure to do so may result in your application being screened out.)

• Yes
• No

19


Did you attach a copy of an official college/university transcript to your application? (Failure to do so may result in your application being screened out.)

• Yes
• No

Required Question