Data Scientist Associate (Hybrid)

Resp & Qualifications

PURPOSE:

The data scientist associate with be a foundational contributor to our Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning initiatives. Identifies and solves business problems using AI techniques to create actionable insight and drive business value. This role will build and maintain AI-powered solutions as part of a collaborative data-science team.

As a Data Scientist Associate, you will:

• Join a collaborative team of AI and machine learning researchers with an extensive track record in both academia and industry
• Bring a combination of mathematical rigor and innovative designs to create solutions that extract relevant insights to effectively and efficiently improve health outcomes and operational practices
• Create thoughtful solutions that engage and empower the organization to make informed decisions
• Develop statistical/AI applications that can be reproduced and deployed on enterprise platforms
• Learn, develop, and apply new techniques in the intersection of AI, optimization, and machine learning
• Build tools and support structures needed to analyze data, perform elements of data cleaning, feature selection and feature engineering and organize experiments in conjunction with best practices
• Assist with the evaluation of data analytic techniques and solutions
• Collaborate with senior data scientists and associated departments to understand company needs and devise possible solutions leveraging the power of AI/Machine Learning
• Explain the results and implications of AI solutions and document the processes used in solution development

Some examples of the problems you might tackle in your new role:

• How can we implement an AI solution to enhance productivity of internal teams or improve the experience of members and/or providers?
• How do we leverage our data that allows us to understand the unique needs of our members to support seamless care delivery that engages members, supports our providers and improves health outcomes?

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Data Analysis and Exploration:

• Data quality assessment and profiling
• Statistical analysis and hypothesis testing
• Feature discovery and relationship analysis

Model/Solution Development and Implementation:

• Building and training machine learning models
• Algorithm selection and tuning
• Model evaluation and performance evaluation
• Feature engineering
• Prototype development proof-of-concepts

Data processing and pipeline development:

• Data cleaning, transformation, and preprocessing
• ETL pipeline and maintenance
• Data source integration
• Database querying and extraction

Explores data patterns using existing data science tools:

• Utilize the current tools to explore patterns within data and optimize solutions
• Identify opportunities for efficiency based on interaction between data and AI solutions

Translates business priorities to data science deliverables:

• Work collaboratively to ensure business goals are met with data science solutions
• Assistance senior personnel with documenting and clarifying business needs

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Level: Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or related field OR in lieu of a Bachelor's degree, an additional 4 years of relevant work experience is required in addition to the required work experience.

Licenses/Certifications Upon Hire Preferred:

• Certified Data Professional

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong skills in programing and development with expertise in applicable programming languages (Python, R, Spark) and open-source machine learning and analytics packages
• Knowledge of large data sets and distributed computing (Hive/Hadoop)
• Proficiency with version control and collaborative development practices
• Experience with natural language processing and semantic search/similarity techniques
• Understanding of Large Language Model (LLM) usage in AI solutions and optimization techniques
• Fundamental knowledge of Agentic AI solutions and components (langchain, langgraph, crewAI)
• Basic understanding of MLOps such as model deployment modeling and lifecycle management
• Intermediate to advanced skills in SQL for data extraction and manipulation
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
• Experience building, training, and evaluating supervised and unsupervised models
• Understanding of feature selection, creation, and transformation techniques
• Skills in data cleaning, normalization, and preprocessing

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Ability to work with minimal guidance.
• Ability to communicate effectively and document objectives and procedures.
• Fundamental knowledge in model evaluation, tuning and performance, operationalization, and scalability of scientific techniques.
• Understands fundamentals of software engineering principles and practices.
• Foundation in statistical modeling applications.
Must be able to meet established deadlines and handle multiple customer service demands from internal and external customers, within set expectations for service excellence. Must be able to effectively communicate and provide positive customer service to every internal and external customer, including customers who may be demanding or otherwise challenging.

Salary Range: $67,824 - $134,706

Salary Range Disclaimer

The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the work is being performed. This compensation range is specific and considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilites of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, internal peer equity, and market and business consideration. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range, as compensation decisions depend on each case's facts and circumstances, including but not limited to experience, internal equity, and location. In addition to your compensation, CareFirst offers a comprehensive benefits package, various incentive programs/plans, and 401k contribution programs/plans (all benefits/incentives are subject to eligibility requirements).

Department

AI and Data Science Operations

Equal Employment Opportunity

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Where To Apply

Please visit our website to apply: www.carefirst.com/careers

Federal Disc/Physical Demand

Note: The incumbent is required to immediately disclose any debarment, exclusion, or other event that makes him/her ineligible to perform work directly or indirectly on Federal health care programs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The associate is primarily seated while performing the duties of the position. Occasional walking or standing is required. The hands are regularly used to write, type, key and handle or feel small controls and objects. The associate must frequently talk and hear. Weights up to 25 pounds are occasionally lifted.

Sponsorship in US

Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without Sponsorship

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