Data Scientist (Remote from Anywhere in Colorado)

Together, we innovate for a stronger Colorado

The work of employees at the Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT) is challenging and diverse because the needs of agencies, customers and Coloradans constantly evolve. But our focus never changes: improve the lives of all Coloradans through innovation and collaboration. We're building one of the nation's leading government IT organizations by reimagining how we support agencies, building first-of-their-kind applications, and creating an inclusive, collaborative culture, together. Join us in the important work of providing equitable access to services.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: Please review your application to ensure completion. For the most equitable applicant experience, OIT’s hiring team considers only the contents of your application to review your qualifications. Please do not include any attachments (such as resume or cover letter) with your application as these items are not used by OIT’s hiring team.  

Are you looking for an opportunity to apply your domain knowledge in education and workforce development with your keen analytic skills? If so, join us in making a meaningful impact in Colorado through innovative data analytics. As our new Data Scientist, you will be a key contributor in leveraging data to drive strategic business decisions for Colorado’s Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS), known as COdata. In this role, you will have the opportunity to employ advanced analytics techniques using modern data tools such as Snowflake, Python, SQL, R, and Tableau, as you conduct comprehensive data analysis spanning descriptive, diagnostic, and predictive methodologies. 

You will closely collaborate with the Data Architects, Data Engineers, Data Visualization Developers, Senior Management, OIT leadership, and agency stakeholders to develop sophisticated data visualizations, automated reporting processes, and actionable insights that inform and improve business outcomes. If using your creativity and innovation in the development and delivery of impactful data initiatives is what you love, apply today for the chance to also put your passion into the state you love! 

Some of the key responsibilities include:

Design useful education to career research questions and appropriate quantitative methods to inform policy and practice.

Conduct quantitative research on administrative data sets. 

Write research reports, briefs, infographics and slides deck to convey results. 

Design, maintain and optimize visualization dashboards in Tableau.

Combining data from multiple sources to produce meaningful metrics.

Identify data patterns, trends and communicate those key insights as recommended actions to key audiences .

Developing and maintaining complex dashboards and reports using Tableau, visualizing data sourced from Snowflake and other data repositories.

Communicating complex data insights and analytical findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders effectively.

Ensuring data quality and governance standards are met within the Snowflake environment.

Utilizing Python and SQL to extract, transform, and load (ETL) within Snowflake for analysis.

Working with resource managers and stakeholders to identify and integrate new data sources.

Leading and participating in cross-functional teams to develop data-driven solutions.

Present information and findings in a way that is accessible to both SLDS staff and the general public.

Oversee the production, display, and development of data structures and analytics for the Colorado SLDS.

Ensure data privacy and security in alignment with CISO guidelines. 

A wide salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While all offers are compliant with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, there is no guarantee an offer will be at the top of the posted range based on the salary analysis. 

This is a skills-based job announcement. The required minimum qualifications and/or education (if substituting for the proven experience, knowledge, and skills), are as follows: 

Minimum Qualifications:

A minimum of five (5) years working experience as a Data Analyst in the public sector of either education or workforce development, with significant expertise in using Snowflake, Python, SQL, R, and Tableau.

A minimum of three (3) years of experience developing dashboards using data reporting tools (Tableau - preferred, Power BI, R Shiny or PyShiny).

Deep understanding of applied research methods, specifically program evaluation and quantitative data analysis of longitudinal in the public sector data. 

At least five (5) years experience working with education and/or workforce data. 

Experience in conducting descriptive, diagnostic, and predictive data analysis in the public sector.

Strong understanding of data modeling, database management, SQL, and ETL processes in the public sector.

Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis, but cannot completely substitute for these qualifications. 

Training or Certification related to the work assigned to the position will be assigned credit towards substitution for experience and/or education, but cannot completely substitute for these qualifications. 

If the minimum qualifications include a degree requirement, additional appropriate paid or unpaid experience will substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

Domain knowledge of education to career data and analyses.

Experience working for an SLDS.

Experience working for a governmental organization. 

Experience designing, building, implementing, and maintaining data and system integrations and data transformations utilizing Snowflake.

Familiarity with data governance frameworks and tools, including Informatica.

Knowledge of other cloud platforms like AWS, GCP  or Azure.

Conditions of Employment:

OIT employees must comply with any screening procedures in place at state agency locations where they might perform work. 

A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Post-employment background checks will be required for specific agencies as business needs dictate, which may include a polygraph exam, fingerprint-based criminal history search, reference checks, and a drug test.

This position may require travel within the specified geographic area, and to locations across the state as needed. 

If this posting indicates “remote from anywhere in CO” in the title, periodic reporting to the primary state work location designated for the position is required. All remote work must be performed in Colorado. 

While candidates from out of state will be considered for this role, the candidate selected for the position must relocate and reside in Colorado on the first day of their new position.  A reasonable timeframe for relocation will be established on an individual basis, while considering business needs, and determining a start date.

We know it's important to support each other, and that means having a healthy balance of work and personal time. Visit our benefits to learn more about some of our great offerings that allow us all to have fulfilling lives. 

Visit our How to Apply webpage to learn more about our application process and what to expect after you apply.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.  The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

The Governor's Office of Information Technology is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADA Coordinator at [email protected] or call (303) 764-7900.

This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies based upon business need. 

The Governor's Office of Information Technology does NOT offer sponsored Visas for employment purposes.