Working Title: Early Learning Services Research and Evaluation Scientist / Research Scientist 3
Job Class: Research Scientist 3
Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept
Job ID : 96139
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who 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 8/13/2026. 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 : 08/07/2026
Closing Date : 08/21/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Children Youth & Families Dept / DCYF Central Office MAPE
Division/Unit : Early Childhood/ Early Learning Scholarships
Work Shift: Day Shift
Work Hours : 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $37.91 - $56.39 / hourly; $79,156 - $117,742 / 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 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 posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
These positions exists to support the Early Learning Services (ELS) Division with high-quality, accurate, relevant, and timely quantitative analyses and data reporting including the creation of meaningful data displays; support districts to understand and maximize revenue streams specific to early learning in order to build capacity for inclusion and mixed delivery service models; build capacity among local program administrators to use data to extend bandwidth and enhance quality; and support continuous quality improvement efforts of education programs through a research agenda in Early Learning Services, including early learning scholarships, public preschool, early childhood family education, health and developmental screening One position will be the lead data coordinator for the early learning scholarships program, and the other position will be the lead data coordinator for all other early learning programs and will work closely together to provide broad support for all of Early Learning Services.
Responsibilities include:
Manage, develop, implement, and document research methods, measurement and reporting processes and protocols using all available early learning data sets for use in data-driven decision-making at the state and local levels, and state and federal reporting related to early learning programs as required.
Conduct research, including any relevant statistical analyses on early learning data sets aligned to initiatives, state and federal reporting requirements, and state and program impact evaluation efforts.
Develop processes for aligning research-based data-driven decision making (DDDM) resources and supports with policy initiatives in collaboration with early childhood staff at state and local levels.
Develop strategies, training, and materials to support meaningful use of research at all levels.
Provide training to local program leadership and support staff from at the regional and local level to coach effective data use where appropriate. Ensure ELS data needs are reflected and incorporated into DCYF decisions related to the programs.
Design, develop and implement research models and products that support quality improvement for Early Learning program practice and performance.
Actively participate in the collaborative planning and implementation of ELS initiatives to assure success for young children with and without disabilities.
Serve as the Early Learning Services Data Coordinator for the Early Childhood Longitudinal Data System (ECLDS), providing data upload oversight and agency representation to ECLDS governance as well as a bridge between ELS and DCYF and the work of the ECLDS.
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 advanced research and data analytic experience in education, public policy or social sciences that demonstrates:
Experience using programing language/computer coding for database querying, data manipulation, and/or statistical analysis (e.g., including but not limited to SQL, R, SPSS, STATA, SAS, etc.)
Experience with data analysis, data manipulation, data transformation and interpretation, and modelling
Report writing and oral presentation of analysis and research results
Experience with data visualization software (e.g. Tableau, Power BI)
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's or a master's degree in education, data science, data analytics, social sciences, mathematics and/or public policy.
Experience with data stored in complex relational-based data warehouse systems, such as SQL.
Experience with early childhood, and especially early care and education, research or policy.
Experience with project management including leading projects from beginning to end.
Experience with training and coaching staff on data use in decision-making.
Experience with continuous quality improvement or quality assurance work.
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.
