Working Title: Lead Data Scientist
Job Class: Research Scientist 3
Agency: Human Services Dept
Job ID : 91396
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 01/13/2026
Closing Date : 01/26/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Human Services Dept / MAPE DHS Central Office
Division/Unit : Department of Human Services (DHS) / Office of Inspector General (OIG) - DSA Analytics & Insights 2
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $37.26 - $55.42 / hourly; $77,798 - $115,716 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DHS 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.
*This position is eligible for telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) for applicants who reside in Minnesota or in a bordering state, with supervisory approval and satisfactory performance. If you live in a state bordering Minnesota, you must live within 50 miles or less from the primary work location to be eligible for telework. There is a required in office meeting once a month.
This position exists to lead the data, fiscal analysis, and statistical research work of the Analytics and Insights unit of the Office of Inspector General (OIG). As a technical and subject matter expert on topics and programs across OIG's divisions (Licensing, Background Studies, and Program Integrity and Oversight), the incumbent will provide reports, dashboards, visualizations, and consultation to division leadership within OIG, other administrations across Department of Human Services (DHS), and external stakeholders including federal stakeholders, research and policy groups, and the public.
The incumbent with work with Department of Human Services (DHS) leadership and management to conduct complex research and design methodologies or processes for large-scale, strategic projects that drive decisions on OIG's work with the program areas it oversees and investigates. To successfully accomplish these projects, the incumbent will employ a high level of expertise in the necessary program policy, data systems, technical tools, and statistical techniques to analyze complex programs and systems. The incumbent will also use this expertise to lead the team in developing new solutions to improve the multifaceted work of the OIG including data infrastructure and design improvements; statistical techniques, algorithms, and predictive models; and process improvement. As an expert in the systems and tools used by the team for analysis, the incumbent will be a resource to the team for technical questions and troubleshooting; will coordinate the validation of analysis conducted by the team; and will provide mentorship to team members as they grow their analytics skills.
Minimum Qualifications
To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
Three (3) years of specialized professional experience analyzing and reporting with data; performing statistical analysis and modeling; and managing data and querying databases.
AND
Experience must include demonstrated proficiency in the following:
Developing and executing Structured Query Language (SQL);
Data analysis, manipulation, transformation, interpretation, and data visualization to support decision-making and insight generation;
Experience with Python or R programming languages;
Data visualization using Tableau and analytic tools/platforms (Alteryx, SAS, Databricks);
Design and implementation of unit data strategy and expand the use of data to make decisions, ensure program compliance and/or program integrity;
Development and implementation of machine learning or AI models that support statistical analysis to predict program integrity and/or compliance;
Experience analyzing medical claims data for fraud, waste and abuse;
Network Analysis to identify relationships and connections in data (e.g. Neo4j, Python NetworkX);
Understanding of data privacy laws and rules such as the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA);
Lead work experience including leading teams and reviewing work of others;
Ability to create information and present data in ways that are meaningful to the requester;
Experience working with senior leaders.
A Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Statistics or area of study related to data sciences and data mining, economics, finance or other analytical fields may substitute for one year of experience.
OR
Master's Degree in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Statistics or area of study related to data sciences and data mining, economics, finance or other analytical fields may substitute for two years of experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated ability to implement, instrument-based program monitoring, key indicator systems, differential monitoring, risk assessments, weighting systems, outcome-based measurements, and fraud detection models in a large complex regulatory system.
Knowledge of complex government processes, federal-state-county connections, system/business infrastructure design concepts, and fiscal responsibility and accountability methods.
Demonstrated proficiency in programming and manipulation of data and statistical analysis of data with another programming language (Ruby, SAS, Java, Scala) including multiple regression techniques
Expert-level Alteryx and Tableau knowledge and experience.
Data Warehouse experience.
Expertise in data modeling.
Experience using software as a service and cloud solutions like Salesforce, Databricks, Azure data factory, dbt, and Fivetran
Knowledge of 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.
Incorporate data into policy recommendations, objectives, and strategic planning initiatives
Experience in most of the following applications/data systems: MMIS, MAXIS, MEC2, LIS/ELMS, DEED, case tracking applications, NetStudy 2.0, SSIS
Skilled in verbal and written communications to synthesize and organize large volumes of complex information and ideas and present them in a succinct, easily understandable fashion.
Prior experience as a medical professional.
Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
Additional Requirements
This position requires successful completion of the following:
It is the policy of the Department of Human Services that the individual selected for this position successfully complete a background investigation prior to employment, including the following components:
Criminal background check
Reference check
Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS)
Complete the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Security Awareness training within 3-business days from the start of employment; and successfully obtain/retain CJIS certification annually.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota 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 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
