Data Specialist

Location: Maine, USA,None,None

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Management Analyst II

Opening Date: December 23, 2024        

Closing Date: January 8, 2025

Job Class Code: 0393
Grade: 24 (Pro/Tech)
Salary: $51,688.00 - $72,467.20 per year

Position Number: 02021-2503

Location: Augusta, Portland, or Caribou, Maine

This is a full-time position that can be located in Augusta, Portland or Caribou, Maine and allows for partial telework with management approval. 

Core Responsibilities:

The full-time position works to ensure program compliance and quality assurance with federal statutes, program rules, and other criteria to maintain or improve the health, safety and welfare of older adults and adults with disabilities served by the Office of Aging and Disability Services. A major aspect of this position is to aggregate and analyze administrative and claims data associated with Home and Community Based Services reporting requirements. We are seeking a candidate who can create evaluation rubrics, review and assess statistical data involving large data sets, process ad hoc data requests, create data displays, plan and conduct analytic projects, and evaluate program and provider performance against waiver assurances or other regulatory requirements. The position also has a key role with monitoring compliance with the Reportable Events System rule (14-197 Chapter 12) and a new Federal Access rule (CMS- 2442-F). This position is responsible for collaborating with program managers, program administrators, supervisors, contracted agencies, and others in carrying out the assigned duties. This position reports directly to the Data Analytics Manager.

Major Duties Include:
•    Conduct a range of monitoring and surveillance activities to determine the Department’s compliance with Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) requirements, particularly to determine the rate of compliance with performance measures detailed in each of the HCBS programs.
•    Collect, review, and assess large data sets from OADS or DHHS data systems, community providers, and other sources as needed, to determine compliance with program requirements. Management of large data sets involves cleaning, organizing, aggregating and analyzing information from administrative data systems.
•    Conduct data monitoring activities associated with the Reportable Events System rule (14-197 Chapter 12) and other HCBS federal rules (CMS- 2442-F).
•    Work cooperatively with a variety of stakeholders, including community-based providers, OADS staff, other DHHS and State offices, and other external entities. 
•    Use MS Excel and other electronic tools (e.g., PowerBI, Tableau) to accurately record and summarize data by using complex functions or writing formulas (e.g., joins, PowerQuery). 
•    Create technical guides or workplans documenting data management workflows or processes.
•    Prepare evaluation rubrics, reports, presentations, and data visualizations for internal and external parties.
•    Provide accurate and timely responses to routine or ad hoc data requests and other analytic projects. 
•    Participate in initiatives as assigned to support the Department’s and Office’s goals and objectives.
•    Provide excellent customer service in conducting all work. 
•    Participate in meetings as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify, you must have eight (8) years of education, training, and/or experience analyzing, evaluating, and/or developing improvements to organizational and/or managerial systems, programs, and practices.

The background of well-qualified candidates will demonstrate the following competencies:

1.    Experience with running reports
2.    Experience in managing, aggregating and displaying large amounts of data
3.    Experience developing workplans and processes.
4.    Skilled with managing multiple and unexpected priorities
5.    Experience providing high quality customer service

Please tell us about your experience in the following areas in your cover letter:
1)    A demonstrated ability to obtain, review, aggregate and report on data.
2)    A history of utilizing Microsoft programs, particularly Excel, Sharepoint, PowerBI, Outlook and Teams, along with Tableau.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

Agency information: 

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

The Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) within DHHS is responsible for ensuring the safety, support, and well-being of adults throughout Maine. OADS oversees a broad range of services for older adults and adults with disabilities; home and community-based services (HCBS); long term services and supports (LTSS); a comprehensive system of support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and brain injuries; consumer-directed services; quality assurance and quality improvement services including independent assessment services; adult protective services; and public guardianship and/or conservatorship services for individuals who are incapacitated.  

Application Information:

To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter. Please submit all documents or files in PDF format.

For additional information about this position please contact Noelle Neault, Associate Director of Data and Quality by e-mail at Noelle.Neault@Maine.gov

To request a paper application, please contact Mandy.L.Harman@Maine.gov

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. 
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS). 

• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. 

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.