Data Scientist

Data Science at DHS

At Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS), our mission is to improve the welfare of the County’s most vulnerable residents. We operate, influence, and fund essential services worth over $1 billion that more than 200,000 residents depend on each year, including treatment for mental health and addiction, homeless housing, and child and older adult protective services. Over the past 20 years, we have built a national reputation for being on the cutting edge of state and local governments using analytics and technology to deliver more effective and efficient public services. While we know much more about the use of analytics and software than when we first started, we still have much to learn. Above all, we are convinced that there remain significant opportunities for data and technology to improve the lives of our clients, and for DHS to extend its leadership role in inspiring gov­­ernments to make similar investments.

Data Scientist

We’re looking for an engineering focused data scientist or software engineer/systems architect with a mix of experience or interest in machine learning (predictive modeling) or economics (applied microeconomics and causal inference) to come join our data science team. The Data Scientist will work to construct software for leveraging nationally recognized, integrated human services data and partner with world-class academics to help drive research that improves outcomes for our most vulnerable residents. Our bet is that great talent, even in time-limited commitments, can result in a step function improvement in the quality of work in local government.

The data science team owns DHS’s measurement problems and predictive models, with a team charter of: (1) creating feedback loops on our performance by learning about the efficacy of programs and interventions and informing DHS’s funding commitments; (2) augmenting human judgement to improve operations and optimize constrained resources, such as case worker bandwidth; and (3) developing high quality reusable software that allows us to deliver inference at scale. The data scientists will collaborate closely with our 40-person Analytics team, Technology team, program managers, and senior leadership to help identify what works and why, iterate and experiment with new approaches to service delivery, improve human decision making, build better software, and convert analytics into automated, extensible products.

Strong candidates for the role will be clear, organized thinkers about complicated empirical questions, have a bias toward simplicity over methodological complexity, and possess a sound grasp of the fundamentals in their field. With our nationally recognized integrated data and talented teammates to support empirical work, ideal candidates will be intellectually curious and fearless about tackling difficult, unsolved problems for the department.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a core competency in python and abstract, hierarchical design as well as some experience with statistical and machine learning modeling.
• Has a graduate degree or significant experience in computer science or related field.
• Has a track record of developing high-quality, well-structured, and maintainable software applications
• Experience with applied research and/or industry experience in building machine learning or causal models to answer real-world problems.
• Balances speed of delivery with upholding high standards on quality.
• Has a desire to develop, test, and QC software to facilitate end-to-end applied research.
• Maintains a flexible approach to problem solving, prioritizing impact over technical complexity.
• Has knowledge of a statistical programming language such as Python, R, or Stata and familiarity with a programming language for querying structured data.

Application

• Resume and/or LinkedIn profile

If you’re concerned that you don’t have all of the parts of a successful application, we still highly encourage you to apply. Data science is always a healthy mix of modeling and engineering, and we do not expect every candidate to be fully qualified across all subfields.

If hired for a position, candidates would work for Allegheny County, Department of Human Services and be employed by CAI.

 “DHS strives to be the kind of place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come to grow and do their best work.” 

  -From the organization’s statement on Equity and Inclusion

 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - M/F/V/D