[Hiring] Data Analysis and Informatics Specialist @State of North Carolina

Role Description

This position serves the Division of Public Health (DPH) as a Data Analysis and Informatics Specialist whose primary function is to leverage analytics and informatics to modernize public health data systems and inform evidence-based decision-making. The role operates under the DPH Chief Data Modernization Officer, collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to collect, analyze, and interpret data and to design and implement data systems that improve service delivery and population health outcomes. The technical scope includes advanced statistical and epidemiological analysis, data visualization, informatics solutions development, and integration of data workflows and infrastructure. Work is performed at a professional Social Research Specialist III level to support programs and policies through rigorous methods, quality controls, and clear reporting.

• Design and implement data collection protocols that establish standards for accuracy, validity, integrity, and consistency across division datasets.
• Conduct statistical analyses (e.g., trend, correlation, predictive modeling) to quantify public health patterns and assess intervention impact.
• Apply epidemiological methods and models to evaluate outbreaks, risk factors, and program effectiveness, documenting methods and findings.
• Develop interactive dashboards and visualizations (e.g., charts, maps) to communicate metrics to leadership and stakeholders for timely decisions.
• Integrate and optimize data systems, including data warehouses and pipelines, to streamline workflows and improve interoperability.
• Establish and lead data quality controls (editing, cleaning, harmonization) to ensure usable, secure, and accessible datasets for analysis.
• Collaborate with IT, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and program teams to plan project goals, set deadlines, assign tasks, and deliver analyses.
• Prepare and present reports, summaries, and briefings that translate analytical results into evidence-based recommendations for policy and operations.
• Evaluate existing data infrastructure and recommend upgrades or design changes; select appropriate statistical software and methods for projects.
• Provide subject matter guidance and training on data modernization and informatics practices to internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in statistical analysis using SAS, R, SQL, or Python to identify trends, correlations, and predictive patterns in large public health datasets.
• Demonstrated experience developing interactive dashboards and data visualizations with tools such as Power BI or Tableau to communicate complex findings to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in designing and implementing informatics solutions, including data warehouses and system integrations, to optimize public health data workflows.
• Experience in applying epidemiological models and advanced analytical techniques to assess disease outbreaks, risk factors, and program effectiveness.
• Proven experience in managing data quality processes, including cleaning, harmonization, and validation, to ensure accuracy, integrity, and interoperability across multiple data sources.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the field assigned to the position from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of related experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Benefits

• Excellent comprehensive benefits including health insurance options.
• Standard and supplemental retirement plans.
• NCFlex program offering numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis.
• Paid vacation, sick, and community service leave.
• Paid parental leave available to eligible employees.