Research Scientist 3 - Council on Children and Families

The New York State Council on Children and Families (CCF) is a small executive state agency that serves a unique role in state government. As a neutral agency, CCF facilitates the collaboration and alignment among the state’s health, education, and human services systems. As a convener, innovator, and change agent among these state child-serving agencies, CCF addresses cross-systems issues informed by data and research to improve outcomes for all of New York’s children and families. Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Research, the Research Scientist 3 will provide data and research support to CCF policy planning and recommendation by conducting data management, analysis, and interpretation of data to contribute to research in service delivery and outcomes across systems and to promote an effective and efficient system of services for the children and families of New York State.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Completing data analysis tasks by extracting, merging, and analyzing administrative databases and project specific data files.
• Analyzing program performance and outcomes for children and their families, trends and patterns of service utilization, and costs for services over time within a program and across programs and systems.
• Supporting data system design to capture and integrate data, assisting with the definition of data elements, maintaining database processes, and developing documentation.
• Creating and implementing data collection and visualization tools and survey instruments.
• Basic and advanced statistical analysis, study design, sample and power calculations, outcome interpretation, report writing, and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Using multivariate statistical methods to assess relations among data variables and program impacts and using findings to formulate policy and program recommendations with leadership guidance.
• Engaging in research evaluating program quality, performance, and effectiveness to advise CCF and partner state agencies.
• Disseminating findings through the authorship of technical reports, research briefs, presentations, and peer-reviewed papers.
• Supervision of research staff as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor’s Degree and four years of professional research experience in the area(s) of child welfare, criminal justice, psychology, social work, sociology, program evaluation or other related field, OR

Master’s Degree in Social Welfare, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, Computer Science, Statistics or other related field, and three years of professional research experience in the area(s) of child welfare, criminal justice, social work, psychology, sociology, program evaluation or other related field; OR

Doctorate Degree in Social Welfare, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, Computer Science, Statistics or other related field, and one year of professional research experience in the area(s) of child welfare, criminal justice, social work, psychology, sociology, program evaluation, or other related field.

Additional Information

Core operating hours for office-based positions within the agency are 8-5. Exact shift within that timeframe will be discussed at the time of the interview.

Preferred Qualifications:

Extensive experience involving 1) the linkage of administrative datasets cross information systems to design and conduct statistical analysis and research studies, 2) the management and analysis of primary and secondary data, application of principles and statistical analysis of human service and child-serving systems, and 3) the ability to link program knowledge and policy implementation to statistical methodology, cost benefit analyses, and interpretation of results. Knowledge of quality improvement methodology, data analysis, and dashboard creation. Excellent organizational skills, strong interpersonal skills and competencies in teamwork and collaborative research with analytical, critical thinking, and scientific writing and problem-solving skills. Experience presenting data findings and research results to technical and non-technical audiences. High level of proficiency in SAS programming (especially joining and analyzing complex relational tables), SQL programming, Microsoft Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Word. Experience with Geographical Information System (GIS) software and Tableau.

Background Investigation Requirements:

• All prospective employees will be investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee’s employment application, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information, and may be required to pay any necessary fees.
• All prospective employees will be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees will be required to pay any necessary fees.
• For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) prospective appointees will be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable.

The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is an equal opportunity employer. OCFS does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status, or status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice and recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We are committed to the diversity of our staff and encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. In furtherance of Executive Order 31 and OCFS’s mission to have a diverse workforce, all people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment of inclusion that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned, and lived expertise, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our staff. Applicants of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.