Research Analyst

Compliance Data AnalystJob Class: Research Scientist 3Agency: Children Youth & Families DeptJob ID: 96316Location: St. PaulTelework Eligible: Yes, up to 50%Full/Part Time: Full-TimeRegular/Temporary: UnlimitedWho May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers. This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 8/24/26 date. Please note that to be considered a bidder, you must be a permanent, non-probationary DCYF employee in the same job classification as the position posted.Date Posted: 08/17/2026Closing Date: 09/02/2026Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: DCYF / DCYF Central Office MAPEDivision/Unit: Office of Inspector General / Compliance OfficeWork Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMDays of Work: Monday - FridayTravel Required: NoSalary Range: $37.91 - $56.39 / hourly; $79,156 - $117,742 / annuallyClassified Status: ClassifiedBargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPEFLSA Status: Exempt - ProfessionalDesignated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: YesThe Department of Children, Youth, and Families is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCYF does not participate in E-Verify.The work you'll do is more than just a job.At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.Telework (Within Minnesota or neighboring states) and flexible hours options are available.This position independently designs and carries out advanced research, data strategies, and analytic methodologies that strengthen regulatory compliance, grants integrity, and agency-wide program oversight. The incumbent serves as the department's authoritative expert in compliance-related research design, data modeling, quantitative and qualitative analysis, statistical methods, and performance measurement. The incumbent will operate independently to deliver complex analytical solutions, influence compliance and business stakeholders through data-driven insights grounded in scientific research and will present research and analysis to Executive Leadership on a regular cadence, and drive continuous improvement in compliance monitoring, reporting, and governance processes.The incumbent's scope is focused on grants compliance and program integrity and will be responsible for researching data and analysis in response to federal partners' data requests. The incumbent will leverage complex data research and analytics to identify trends, detect anomalies, and provide actionable insights that strengthen internal controls and regulatory compliance throughout DCYF, to align with the agency's mission and goals.Responsibilities include:Lead the design, research, and oversight of the Compliance Division's data strategy to identify and detect potential risk, fraud, and non-compliance within the agency.Create reports, surveys, presentations, dashboards, and visualizations of data analyses to inform management decision-making and assist in strategic planning, to increase operational effectiveness within DCYF.Respond to internal and external requests for data and information related to internal audits, compliance audits, and key risk areas.Provide technical consultation to Compliance Division management and staff in data analyses, statistical and analytic techniques, research methodologies, survey design and evaluation, performance measurement, statistical analysis methodologies, data governance, and Compliance Division data systems and tools.Lead the design, research, and oversight of the Compliance Division's data strategy to identify and detect potential risk, fraud, and non-compliance within the agency. Develop data metrics to support program integrity through proactive detection and risk mitigation.Minimum QualificationsTo facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month, day and year for each job held.Four (4) years of experience analyzing and reporting with data; performing spatial or statistical analysis and modeling; and managing data and querying databases.Experience must include the following:Data collection, data analysis, data manipulation, data transformation and interpretation.Data visualization (i.e. Tableau, PowerBI, Looker, Qlik).Analytic tools/platforms (i.e. Alteryx, R Studio, SAS, Databricks, Anaconda).Applicants who meet the above experience requirements may be further evaluated based on the following during the interview process:Synthesizing and organizing large volumes of complex information and ideas and present them, written and verbally, in a succinct, easily understandable fashion.Preferred QualificationsKnowledge of DCYF Office of Inspector General (OIG) programs and OIG divisions; OIG's mission, values, and activities; and the state and federal laws and regulations governing OIG's administration and management.Knowledge of data structures and mature design strategies.Experience in most of the following applications/data systems: MMIS, MAXIS, MEC2, LIS/ELMS/Salesforce Hub, DEED, case tracking applications, NetStudy 2.0, SSIS.Demonstrated proficiency in programming and manipulation of data and statistical analysis of data with software such as SAS, Python or R including multiple regression techniques.Understands data privacy laws and rules such as the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).Demonstrated proficiency scripting with another programming language (Python, R, SAS, Java, Scala, Jinja, Databricks) in addition to Structured Query Language (SQL)Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.Additional RequirementsIt is the policy of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families that the individual selected for this position successfully complete a background investigation prior to employment, that may include the following components:Reference checkCriminal Background checkFingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS)Driver's License CheckPersonnel File Review: all current and former public sector employeesAdditional assessment may be required during the interview processAN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERMinnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io. Please indicate what assistance is needed.