Data Scientist/Policy Analyst
(Job #493279)
Analytics & Research
Overview
The Hilltop Institute at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is seeking a Data Scientist/Policy Analyst to join its Analytics & Research team. Hilltop is a university-based, non-partisan research organization dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people and communities. Hilltop conducts research, policy analysis, and sophisticated data analytics to support health care financing and delivery system reform in Maryland and other states. Hilltop has a long-standing partnership with the Maryland Medicaid program and is at the forefront of national efforts to find data-driven solutions to complex problems facing state policymakers as publicly funded health care systems transition to new models that reward quality and value over volume.
Data Scientists on the Analytics & Research team focus on the quantitative analysis of Medicaid, Medicare, Minimum Data Set, and multiple other data sources. Our specialty is creating predictive models to assess the risk of adverse events among at-risk populations, including older adults and individuals with disabilities. We led the development and implementation of two such models currently in production for the state of Maryland: one prioritizing the registry of potential Medicaid home- and community-based services participants, and the other guiding the care coordination and outreach activities for primary care practices participating in the Maryland Primary Care Program. Together, these models touch the lives of almost 400,000 Marylanders and help guide care to those who need it most.
In addition to working with Maryland state agencies, Analytics & Research team members also serve as researchers and methodologists for collaborations with faculty from UMBC and other universities funded by private foundations and federal agencies including the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes for Health. The incumbent will work under the guidance of Hilltop’s Senior Director of Analytics & Research/Chief Data Scientist.
Responsibilities
The incumbent will assume a prominent role in the growth of Hilltop’s applied data science and machine learning capabilities. As a key member of the Analytics & Research team, they will be responsible for:
- Contributing to the development, training, and testing of complex predictive algorithms based on large medical services claims data sets collected from Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial insurers, and/or discharge abstracts using SAS or other statistical packages
- Assisting with implementation of multivariate program evaluation methodologies to test the effects of health care interventions on program enrollment, utilization, provider participation, and quality of care measures
- Participating in multi-disciplinary project teams that include SAS/STATA programmers and policy analysts, and research faculty
- Conducting literature searches on programs in other states, medical and public health topics, or other aspects of health services research and policy
- Engaging in consultative and creative problem-solving with state agencies and other clients on data-driven projects
- Writing comprehensive reports, research proposals, and peer-reviewed journal articles
- Making presentations to public and professional audiences
- Performing other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
Requires a master’s degree in economics, statistics, mathematics, epidemiology, computer science, information systems, or a related field and one year of relevant experience, or a bachelor’s degree with three years of relevant experience. Must be proficient in one or more programming language (e.g., SAS, STATA, SQL, R, Python) and Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Must have strong analytical and effective communications skills (both verbal and written) and the ability to work in multidisciplinary project teams.
Preferred Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess the following professional and interpersonal competencies: the ability to work with large databases and on a variety of platforms supporting quantitative analysis, predictive analytics, mathematical modeling, and/or machine learning; experience with advanced statistical modeling; proficiency in one or more programming languages; excellent writing skills; familiarity with the health care and machine learning literature; a knowledge of publicly funded health insurance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid; an interest in federal and state health policy; and well-honed problem solving skills.
Compensation
Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position is full-time, offers opportunity for professional growth, and includes the full university benefits package, including tuition remission for qualified candidates. Note: this is a grant-funded position wherein employment is contingent upon the renewal of the grant.
Application
Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled, but for best consideration, submit a cover letter (indicating Job # 493279), resume, and the contact information for three professional references by January 15, 2021, to the Data Scientist/Policy Analyst Search Committee at:
https://listings.umbc.edu/cw/en-us/job/493279/data-scientistpolicy-analyst
or
resume@hilltop.umbc.edu (MS Word or PDF attachments required)*
*Note: The cover letter, resume, and references should be included in separate attachments.
As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.
UMBC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
December 8, 2020