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Location

Saint Paul, MN | United States

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Job description

When all employees are embraced, respected and heard, we will build a collaborative, equitable, inclusive and anti-racist culture where everyone thrives.

Job Details

Working Title : Research Scientist

Job Class: Research Scientist 3

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  Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 02/21/2024
• Closing Date: 03/05/2024
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Human Services Dept / MAPE DHS Central Office
• Division/Unit: Children and Family Services / Economic Assistance and Employment Supports Division
• Work Shift : Day Shift
• Work Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required : No
• Salary Range: $35.13 - $52.25/hourly or $73,351-$109,098/annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities : Yes

The Department of Human Services is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment.

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Job Summary

*** Telework (Within Minnesota or neighboring states) and flexible hours options are available.***

As a Research Scientist, you will design and lead complex cross program and cross-sectional research projects, evaluation, and performance measurement to help policymakers and program administrators understand how we are supporting Minnesota families and children in economic need, through established programs such as the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), the Diversionary Work Program (DWP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) and explore options for improvement. The incumbent will represent the Department of Human Service (DHS) and the agency successor to establish and maintain relationships with external researchers and programs maintaining external data sources across and within state agencies, including the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) University of Minnesota, and community and volunteer organizations.

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Lead complex collaborative projects identified by research team and Division leaders that require a high level of project management and leadership to engage partners from across areas of state, federal and local government, policy and university research organizations, community experts and others. Similar to the Department effort to examine the intersection of Health and Deep Poverty DHS-8061.
• Support development of Division research agenda and ground internal and collaborative projects in current state of the field through maintaining knowledge of current academic and social policy research in the areas of food and cash assistance, workforce development, early childhood and adult education, poverty alleviation, and other relevant subjects.
• Identify and seek out partnerships within and outside of DHS, including grant funding sources to investigate questions of interest as well as synthesize internal and external research around proposed policy and program changes.
• Independently oversee, plan, conduct, and coordinate qualitative and quantitative research, program evaluation and performance measurement activities for MFIP, DWP, SNAP, SNAP E&T and other programs in the state safety net. Prioritize integration of rapid cycle evaluation, behavioral economics, human-centered design and equity-focused evaluation methods.
• Coordinate, develop, initiate, and respond to information requests received from within EAESD, other DHS divisions, county and tribal supervisors and managers, other state entities and community groups so that decision-makers have necessary information to make evidence-based and data-informed policy.
• Communicate policy and action recommendations based on research and analytics with diverse audiences through reports, briefs, dashboards, presentations, newsletters, strategic plans, training materials, and other relevant deliverables.
• Cross-train and mentor staff in areas of expertise around data extraction, analysis and visualization methods.

Qualifications

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.**

Three (3) years professional experience in public service, public policy, social sciences, research, analytics, or a related area that demonstrates experience in these areas:

• Leading work that integrates a complex set of programs, policy areas and/or data sets.
• Managing projects that involve staff in a variety of roles and balance multiple priorities.
• Designing and conducting studies, program evaluation and/or performance measurement.
• Synethsizing large amounts of information by creating dashboards, white papers, reports, and other methods of sharing analytic results in context.
• Quantitative analysis with statistical software such as R (or equivalent).
• And at least one of these areas:
• Writing complex queries using SQL,R (or equivalent) to extract data from relational databases; utilizing data warehouse environments (or similar);
• Developing surveys, conducting focus groups, and collecting qualitative data

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in social science, data science, analytics, research, public administration, or related field.
• Experience communicating/ presenting to varied audiences.
• Advanced skill in quantitative analysis.
• Understanding key issues impacting Minnesotans with low incomes.
• Expertise in state and federal food and cash assistance programs and resulting data, especially MAXIS.
• Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS – DHS will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and a criminal background check prior to appointment.

EDUCATION VERIFICATION - Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their college transcript or college degree/diploma at time of interview. Copies of the college degree/diploma are acceptable ONLY if it clearly identifies the field in which it was earned.

Application Details

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected]. For additional information about the application process, go to

If you have questions about the position, contact Kristen Boelcke-Stennes at [email protected].

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Amy John at [email protected].

If you are an individual with a disability and need an ADA accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Human Services’ ADA Coordinator at 651-431-4945 or [email protected] for assistance.

About Human Services Dept

WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE! The Minnesota Department of Human Services impacts the lives of 1.7 million people every year, helping them meet their basic needs so they can achieve their highest potential.

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations 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 [email protected] and indicate what assistance is needed.

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