Data Science and Informatics Specialist

Salary: $105,612 - 142,020 per year Requirements:

• We require at least one year of supervisory experience, which may include leading or managing project teams.
• You must meet one of the following paths:
• A masters degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or a related technical or quantitative field, plus one year of experience with complex health care, behavioral health, or public health analytics and data visualization tools, along with R, SAS, SQL, M code, and/or Python.
• A bachelors degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or a related technical or quantitative field, plus three years of experience with complex health care, behavioral health, or public health analytics and data visualization tools, along with R, SAS, SQL, M code, and/or Python.
• Seven years of experience working with complex health care, behavioral health, or public health analytics, data visualization software, and R, SAS, SQL, M code, and/or Python.
• We need the ability to take action to learn and grow.
• We need the ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Strong analytical capability is required, including the ability to gather, organize, analyze, and share large amounts of information with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Preferred qualifications include expert-level SAS programming with five years of demonstrated experience building large and complex data sets from health care claims and/or encounter data.
• Preferred qualifications also include knowledge of medical and/or pharmacy coding such as ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS, as well as healthcare business and systems.
• We prefer experience working comfortably with staff at all levels, strong workload management and prioritization skills, the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• We also prefer highly advanced experience with large and complex data sets, advanced SQL, R, Python, SAS, or similar programming skills, and substantial data visualization experience with Power BI, Tableau, or comparable tools.
• Additional preferred strengths include problem-solving from multiple perspectives, team leadership, meeting facilitation, agenda setting, action planning, concise professional writing, and presenting ideas and analytical results using diagrams, logic models, graphs, and other visuals.

• We supervise a team of data analysts, data scientists, informaticists, epidemiologists, and/or econometricians.
• We serve as the agencys key technical data science specialist for behavioral health populations, programs, and services.
• We build a deep understanding of data limitations and known quality and completeness issues in the behavioral health data ecosystem.
• We conduct and oversee audits and quality reviews to improve transparent processes and maintain compliance with SAMSHA block grant reporting requirements.
• We recommend strategies, priorities, gaps, and tactics to strengthen the behavioral health data ecosystem and improve data products.
• We propose and lead technical solutions grounded in healthcare systems knowledge.
• We use claims and supplemental data sources independently to design senior-level reporting and visualizations that support data-driven decisions for behavioral health programs.
• We lead or oversee advanced algorithms, data models, and interactive visualizations using SAS, R, Power BI, Tableau, and/or Excel pivot tables.
• We resolve complex issues using innovative approaches to technical challenges.
• We guide data science, data quality improvement, modeling, evaluation, research, and statistical analysis efforts.
• We lead cross-functional work to design, build, and improve data pipelines and infrastructure.
• We advise on business needs during data infrastructure investment and transformation efforts.
• We communicate clearly in writing and verbally to explain data quality issues, impacts on agency goals, and possible solutions for leadership review.
• We partner with agency leadership and data requestors to turn data requests into analytic projects focused on behavioral health programs and services.
• We consult with data requestors and users on data access, feasibility, statistical validity, and system capabilities and limitations.
• We develop, interpret, communicate, and present data science findings to colleagues, policymakers, and the public.

• Excel
• Support
• Mobile
• Power BI
• Python
• SAS
• SQL
• Tableau
• Flow
• LESS
• Security
• Web

More:

We are the Washington State Health Care Authority, and our DATA (Data Acquisition, Transformation and Analytics) team within the Strategy, Policy, and Innovation division leads our agency data strategy and supports the implementation, maintenance, and enhancement of the analytics and reporting systems that inform leadership and program accountability. This position reports to the Behavioral Health Data and Analytics team and is focused on supporting publicly funded behavioral health programs, including compliance with SAMSHA block grant reporting requirements. The role is eligible for telework and is typically not required on-site, though our default work location is Olympia, Washington, and onsite reporting is required on the first and last days of employment. We offer meaningful work, a mission-driven and person-centered environment, a healthy work/life balance with flexible and mobile work options, a competitive compensation and benefits package, a convenient workplace with nearby restaurants and shopping, and free parking. Our broader benefits include health, dental, vision, retirement, paid leave, training, and other compensation options, along with a strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and employee support.

last updated 37 week of 2026