Data Scientist 1

Job Description

The Iowa Department of Revenue’s Internal Services Division is seeking a Data Scientist 1 to join the Data Analytics Bureau. The Internal Services Division plays a crucial role in ensuring the Department's day-to-day operations run smoothly, efficiently, and effectively. Its responsibilities span many areas, from the safeguarding of confidential taxpayer data, management of the GovConnectIowa Program, integration of technology solutions with business objectives, human resources, data analytics, and business continuity activities. The dedicated staff of this division focus on elevating both the internal and external customer experience. Throughout the year, the division coordinates education and outreach initiatives, fostering connection with our customers.

The Data Scientist will harness the Department’s incredible wealth of data to develop analytical insights, drive positive organizational value and outcomes to encourage the adoption of data driven decisions that will lead to improvements for the overall public good and IDR’s operations and performance.

In this position you will be responsible for:

• Working with stakeholders to identify opportunities to enhance the Department’s performance by using data-driven tools to obtain, measure and analyze results.
• Conducting data analysis to uncover patterns, trends, and anomalies using statistical techniques (e.g. Heat Maps, Predicator Screening, Regression models, Time Series Models, Decision Trees Analysis, and Survey & Text Analysis).
• Overseeing the identification, research, and investigation of opportunities for both leveraging data and adopting/applying new technology (e.g. artificial intelligence) to drive business growth, efficiency, and innovation.
• Researching and implementing techniques and tools in machine learning and artificial intelligence to make data analysis more efficient.
• Managing, implementing and maintaining the Analytical and Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms used by the Department.
• Spearheading the Department’s usage of the Analytical and Artificial Intelligence platforms through dashboard development and maintenance of the platforms. This includes the technical support to improve the design of the models to run more efficiently.
• Developing, refining, and optimizing AI-generated text prompts that are fed into AI platforms to ensure they are accurate, engaging, and relevant for various applications.
• Collaborating with different teams to improve the prompt generation process and overall AI system performance.
• Determining the data needed for key performance indicators (KPIs), metrics, and dashboards, gather the data from multiple sources, manipulate in preparation for analysis and present data findings and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Assisting in the building and design of statistical models (i.e. What-if, Diagnostic, financial models) to answer business questions.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in the following:

• Knowledge and experience using SAS Viya, Excel, SQL, and other analytical tools to respond to data requests and to solve problems. This consists of writing relevant code or reviewing existing code to resolve programming and data issues. It involves calculating, organizing, and summarizing data for analysis.
• Experience creating advanced visualizations and dashboards that clearly and easily communicate complex findings while adhering to industry best practices. This is done via the use of tools such as Tableau, Power BI, SAS Visual Analytics, JMP, etc.
• Experience in the management and administration of Analytical and Artificial Intelligence platforms

Job Specific Competencies:

• Mathematical Reasoning - Choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Written Expression - Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

• Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS)
• Retirement Investors Club (RIC)
• Flexible Working Environment- Work from Home Opportunities
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance

The mission of the Iowa Department of Revenue is to serve Iowans through the responsible collection and generation of revenue to support the public good. If you’re looking for a career with an organization that values its employees and customers, you’ve come to the right place.

Applicants must live within the State of Iowa to qualify for this position.

This position will be required to come into the Hoover Building in Des Moines for meetings as needed.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employer sponsorship, now or in the future.

Effective July 1st, 2025, all Department of Revenue staff and their household will not be able to play any Iowa Lottery games.

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
NOTE: Unofficial Transcripts are required to verify degree and coursework

1) Seven years of full-time work experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science.

2) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, management information systems, or industrial management, and experience equal to three years of full-time (as described in number one). NOTE: Only degrees listed are valid. NOTE: Unofficial Transcripts are required to verify degree and coursework

3) All of the following (a, b, and c):
a. One year of full-time work experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science; and
b. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, management information systems, or industrial management equals one year of full-time experience; and
c. A total of two years of graduate-level education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university coursework in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, management information systems, or industrial management equals one year of full-time experience. NOTE: Unofficial Transcripts are required to verify degree and coursework

4) All of the following (a, b, and c):
a. One year of full-time work experience business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science; and
b. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and
c. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, management information systems, or industrial management. NOTE: Unofficial Transcripts are required to verify degree and coursework

5) All of the following (a, b, and c):
a. Three years of full-time work experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science; and
b. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and
c. Possession of a professional certificate in data science, business analytics, or data analytics. NOTE: Copies of the certificate are required

6) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes six months of full-time work as a Data Analyst 2.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description (Download PDF reader).