Data Scientist, Public Health Data Linkage

The State of Washington Department of Health is hiring a Data Scientist (DSIS 3) to lead complex public health data linkage and integrated data analysis within the LIDA Unit of the Center for Health Statistics. The role focuses on building and evaluating linkage models and automated analytical pipelines, while partnering with public health stakeholders to improve the quality and usability of linked data.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex analyses of linked public health data using advanced statistical methods, machine learning, and data science techniques to address challenging analytical questions.
• Design, evaluate, and improve machine learning and AI-driven data linkage models to support high-quality, accurate, and equitable results.
• Develop and maintain automated data engineering and analytical pipelines using programming languages such as Python and SQL for large-scale data integration and analysis.
• Acquire, process, and standardize structured and unstructured data from administrative and open source sources to strengthen data linkage performance and quality assurance.
• Research, test, and implement emerging data science methods that improve interoperability, entity resolution, and public health data modernization.
• Serve as a technical expert for data linkage and machine learning through consultation and mentoring, collaborating with internal and external partners on complex projects.
• Communicate analytical findings and technical recommendations to technical and nontechnical audiences to support data-informed public health decisions.
• Provide technical expertise during public health emergency response activities and support critical analytical needs when required.

Required Qualifications

• Experience using Python to develop or evaluate machine learning models, automate data processing, or analyze large and complex datasets.
• Experience using SQL to extract, transform, integrate, and analyze large datasets.
• Experience developing, implementing, or evaluating machine learning or data linkage models.
• Experience developing or maintaining automated data processing or analytical pipelines.
• Experience evaluating data quality, validating analytical outputs, and performing quality assurance.
• Experience applying statistical analysis or modeling techniques to large, complex datasets.
• Experience leading complex data science or analytics projects, or serving as a technical subject matter expert.
• Experience communicating technical findings and recommendations to technical and nontechnical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, social science, or a related technical or quantitative field.
• Experience building machine learning models using tools such as R, Python, Julia, Rust, Databricks, or similar technologies.
• Experience working with large SQL-based databases.
• Experience developing binary classification machine learning models, including feature engineering using raw or unstructured data.
• Experience building, maintaining, or evaluating machine learning data linkage or entity resolution projects.

Education

A bachelor’s degree in data science, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, mathematics, informatics, public health informatics, epidemiology, engineering, or another closely related quantitative field.

Experience (Equivalent Options)

• Option 1: Seven (7) years of experience developing, analyzing, or implementing advanced data science, machine learning, statistical modeling, or data engineering solutions using large and complex datasets.
• Option 2: Five (5) years of experience developing, analyzing, or implementing advanced data science, machine learning, statistical modeling, or data engineering solutions using large and complex datasets, plus the bachelor’s degree described above.

Technologies

Python, SQL, R, Julia, Rust, Databricks

Work Setting and Schedule

• This position can be performed fully remotely. No regular in-person attendance is required.
• If onsite work is requested by the supervisor, the request will be planned and communicated in advance.
• The schedule is 40 hours per week, with potential for longer hours to complete projects, meet deadlines, or meet business demands. An alternative or flexible schedule may be considered with supervisory approval.

Travel Requirements

• Travel is not required for the duties of this position.
• Occasional travel may be expected to attend meetings, trainings, or conferences. When driving for state business, the employee must be able to legally operate a state or privately-owned vehicle, or provide alternate transportation while on state business.

Customer and Collaboration Context

The position regularly involves engagement with agency staff, managers, supervisors, legislators, governor’s office staff, local health jurisdictions, federal government, the State Board of Health, external partners, and statewide professional associations.

Compensation

USD 105,612 - 142,020 per year.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Life and long-term disability insurance
• Flexible spending and health savings accounts
• Retirement plans
• Paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave
• Dependent care assistance
• Professional development opportunities

Additional Information

• This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
• The DOH campus is smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, and scent-neutral.
• This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. After positions from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next 60 days.

Application Directions

• Only materials submitted through the official application will be considered. Emailed resumes or documents won’t be accepted or shared with the hiring manager.
• Attach your resume, cover letter, and DD-214 (if applicable).
• List at least three professional references in your Applicant Profile or as a separate attachment, including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you’ve supervised or led (if applicable).
• Do not include private details such as SSN or birth year, and do not submit personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation.
• Only applicants who complete the Application Process in full will have responses reviewed. Experience and education selected in supplemental questions must be verifiable on the submitted applicant profile.

Veterans Preference

• Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or a signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Remove or cover personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

DOH is an equal-opportunity employer. Discrimination is prohibited based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity.

Questions, Accommodations, and Technical Support

• For questions, assistance with the application process, accommodations, or alternative posting formats, contact Shawnelle Goalder, Talent Acquisition Consultant at [email protected] and reference DOH8949 in the subject.
• For technical support and login issues, contact NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.