Research Scientist 2 (Biostatistics/Health Services Research)

About the position The Research Scientist 2 position will work within the Bureau of Medicaid Data Reporting and Analysis and will assist in a broad range of research, analysis, reporting, and evaluation activities within the Division of Data Strategy and Management. The incumbent will work under the direction of the Assistant Bureau Director. Specific duties may include, but are not limited to: Extract, clean, merge, recode, and/or analyze administrative data sets available in OPWDD including those for quality measurement, billing, external survey projects, service enrollment, Medicaid utilization, and other routine or ad-hoc reporting as assigned. Use a wide range of research methods and data sources to conduct descriptive and inferential analyses to support agency-wide initiatives related to Medicaid utilization, public health, service quality, and outcomes. Data sources may include, but are not limited to, Medicaid data, enrollment data, case management records, survey data and data from other agencies and organizations. Respond to routine and ad hoc data requests. Compile data to support policy briefs for senior staff on key programmatic areas. Identify metrics that measure progress in outcome achievement and assist in program management and evaluation of OPWDD policy. Assist in creating presentations, visualizations, and reports based on assigned projects and tasks. Develop data visualizations showing analyses and trends for public consumption, using software such as Tableau. Assist in identifying and implementing automation of routine workflows. Assist in planning, designing, and executing research projects, including developing research questions, formulating hypotheses, identifying an appropriate research design and methodology, and interpreting findings. Assist in developing and executing algorithms and statistical predictive models and determining analytical approaches and modeling techniques to evaluate potential future outcomes. Under supervision, establishing and modeling analytical rigor and effective use of statistical methods to analyze a large amount of data, including using advanced statistical techniques and mathematical analyses. Collaborate with other research scientists and analytical staff on all phases of research and contribute to healthcare policy recommendations based on applied research findings. The incumbent will be expected to perform these duties under general supervision. Telecommuting will be discussed at interview.

Responsibilities

• Extract, clean, merge, recode, and/or analyze administrative data sets available in OPWDD including those for quality measurement, billing, external survey projects, service enrollment, Medicaid utilization, and other routine or ad-hoc reporting as assigned.
• Use a wide range of research methods and data sources to conduct descriptive and inferential analyses to support agency-wide initiatives related to Medicaid utilization, public health, service quality, and outcomes. Data sources may include, but are not limited to, Medicaid data, enrollment data, case management records, survey data and data from other agencies and organizations.
• Respond to routine and ad hoc data requests.
• Compile data to support policy briefs for senior staff on key programmatic areas.
• Identify metrics that measure progress in outcome achievement and assist in program management and evaluation of OPWDD policy.
• Assist in creating presentations, visualizations, and reports based on assigned projects and tasks.
• Develop data visualizations showing analyses and trends for public consumption, using software such as Tableau.
• Assist in identifying and implementing automation of routine workflows.
• Assist in planning, designing, and executing research projects, including developing research questions, formulating hypotheses, identifying an appropriate research design and methodology, and interpreting findings.
• Assist in developing and executing algorithms and statistical predictive models and determining analytical approaches and modeling techniques to evaluate potential future outcomes.
• Under supervision, establishing and modeling analytical rigor and effective use of statistical methods to analyze a large amount of data, including using advanced statistical techniques and mathematical analyses.
• Collaborate with other research scientists and analytical staff on all phases of research and contribute to healthcare policy recommendations based on applied research findings.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and three years of professional research experience in an appropriate field (Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Statistics, Mathematics, Social Science, Economics, Data Science, or related fields).

Nice-to-haves

• Strong analytic and data management skills.
• Experience with analyzing, extracting, merging, and linking large relational health care datasets, including Medicaid data.
• Proficient in the use of SAS or SQL, Microsoft Excel, Word and Power Point.
• Knowledge of statistical methods.
• Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau is desired.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to work independently, as well as in a team environment.

Benefits

• Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan.
• Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.
• Life insurance and Disability insurance.
• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.
• Paid Holidays and Leave:
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially.
• Five (5) days paid personal leave each year.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year.
• Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.
• Health Care Coverage:
• Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.
• Paid Parental Leave:
• Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.
• Retirement Program:
• Participate in The NYS Employees' Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.
• Professional Development and Education and Training:
• NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities.

Apply tot his job Apply To this Job