Working Title: Research Scientist 3 - Lead SNAP Fraud Data Scientist
Job Class: Research Scientist 3
Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept
Job ID : 92024
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Limited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers.
Date Posted : 02/07/2026
Closing Date : 02/20/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Children Youth & Families Dept / DCYF Central Office MAPE
Division/Unit : DCYF / OIG Analytics & Insights
Work Shift : Day Shift
Work Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $37.26 - $55.42 / hourly; $77,798 - $115,716 / annually
Classified Status : Unclassified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
End Date : 10/31/2027
FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No
The 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 (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) (Within Minnesota or neighboring states) and flexible hours options are available.
***This position is temporary and includes full state fringe benefits; the position is expected to last until October 2027.
This position exists to lead data, fiscal analysis, and statistical research of the DCYF Office of Inspector General related to public integrity oversight of SNAP and other food assistance programs, providing reports, dashboards, visualizations, and consultation to county partners, OIG leadership, and other key internal and external stakeholders.
Responsibilities include:
Develop, maintain, and improve models to identify and predict potential risk, fraud, and non-compliance in the SNAP program, and create reports for internal and external partners to utilize these models.
Create and maintain reports, surveys, presentations, dashboards, and visualizations of data analyses to inform management decision-making, assist in strategic planning, and increase operational effectiveness and efficiency in the Fraud Prevention Investigations (FPI) teams and county investigations teams for their SNAP-related work.
Respond to internal and external requests for data and information related to data on SNAP/EBT investigations.
Advise OIG management and staff on research and data analysis, survey design and evaluation, performance measurement, statistical analysis methodologies, data governance, and division systems and tools and recommend changes when warranted.
Design and Implement OIGs SNAP and EBT data strategy and expand the use of data to empower better decision making, program compliance, and program integrity so that the division can fulfill its responsibilities across the program.
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, 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 demonstrated proficiency in the following:
Structured Query Language (SQL).
Data collection, data analysis, data manipulation, data transformation and interpretation.
One or more programming language (Python, R, SAS, Java, Scala).
Data visualization (Tableau, PowerBI, Looker, Qlik),
Analytic tools/platforms (Alteryx, R Studio, SAS, Databricks, Anaconda).
Lead work experience including leading projects, leading teams, reviewing work of other, etc.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), the Minnesota Food Assistance Program (MFAP), other food assistance programs, or other public assistance programs.
Experience analyzing MAXIS and/or Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) data.
Ability to synthesize and organize large volumes of complex information and ideas and present them, written and verbally, in a succinct, easily understandable fashion to non-technical audiences.
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 Requirements
It 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 check
Criminal Background check
Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS)
Driver's License Check
Personnel File Review: all current and former public sector employees
Additional assessment may be required during the interview process
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.
