Elections Data Scientist

Introduction

Are you ready to direct and conduct the most complex and specialized research investigations and statistical analyses?  Are data-driven studies and projects concerning elections right up your alley?

The State of Connecticut, Secretary of the State (SOTS) is currently seeking flexible and dynamic individuals eager to contribute their experience within the Legislation and Election Administration Division (LEAD) as an Elections Data Scientist. Join our team and embark on a rewarding career that offers growth, superlative benefits, and a culture that encourages work/life balance.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Work for a Forbes top company - ‘Forbes’: State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023.
• Comprehensive health and dental insurance, providing you with peace of mind and access to quality healthcare.
• Robust pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings to secure your financial future.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, personal days, and 13 holidays per calendar year.
• We are an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, which means you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.
• A culture that recognizes the importance of work/life balance and offers alternate work schedules and telecommuting options.
• Opportunities to invest in your professional growth and development with training programs, tuition reimbursement, and opportunities for advancement within the State of Connecticut.
• Connecticut is a strong community with a lot to offer in entertainment, food and shopping, recreation in our beautiful state parks and forests, diverse culture, and rich history. Learn more about all Connecticut has to offer.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Full-Time, 40 hours per week
• Core hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Location: Hartford, CT
• Hybrid (office/telework) may be available

THIS JOB IS FOR YOU IF

• You possess strong technical database expertise and attention to detail necessary to stand up and maintain statewide databases.
• Your value providing prompt quality service and improving access to information.
• You have a passion for promoting participation in the democratic process by providing a wide range of services for the people and businesses of Connecticut. 
• You want to do work that matters and build a better Connecticut with the Office of the Secretary of the State. 

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO

• Direct the operations of a public statewide information database to investigate if current state and municipal election laws and practices meet the Connecticut Voting Rights Act’s (CTVRA) provisions;
• Conduct investigations of potential infringements of voting rights;
• Work with and manage the state’s finest talent in the Elections Division;
• Work with and report to Executives within the Office of the Secretary of the State;
• Work with Information Technology professionals;
• Collect, maintain, and analyze data and information; 
• Respond to inquiries from elections officials and the public; 
• Manage the state’s centralized voter registration system (CVRS) and the election night reporting system; 
• Impact and improve our state and the elections process.

ABOUT US

Through the dedication of knowledgeable staff and advanced technology, the Office of the Secretary of the State works as a team to provide a wide range of services for the people and businesses of Connecticut. We are a repository of records for the State and provide important information and resources regarding business and commercial filings, elections, and authentication as prescribed by the constitution, and federal and state laws. We seek to bolster business development opportunities, and foster a more inclusive political process by educating, informing and engaging communities in youth and civic preparation.

The Legislation and Election Administration Division (LEAD) administers, interprets and implements all state and federal laws pertaining to elections, primaries, nominating procedures, and the acquisition and exercise of voting rights. The Division encourages and monitors the implementation of the National Voter Registration Act and other voter registration efforts in Connecticut. In addition, the division is the official keeper of all acts, orders, grants and resolutions of the General Assembly, receives and maintains legislation, regulations and a wide range of other public documents as required by statute, and administers Connecticut’s notary public program.

Selection Plan

For assistance in applying, please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page

APPLYING FOR THE POSITION

• For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e. Executive, Judicial or Legislative) to the other.
• In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date of the job opening, unless otherwise specified. You must specify your qualifications on your application. 
• Ensure that your application is complete before submitting it. To comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut no longer requests resumes during the initial application process. Once your application is submitted into the JobAps system, you cannot make revisions.
• In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. For institutions located outside of the U.S., you must provide documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service specializing in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.
• All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the specified deadline. Late applications will not be considered. Candidates may request a rare and documented exception for events that incapacitate them during the entire duration of the job posting period by providing a legally-recognized justification to accommodate such an exception. Requests may be made to emily.kennedy@ct.gov. 

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER APPLYING

• Applicants will receive correspondence via email, and are also encouraged to monitor their Personal Status Board daily for status updates, notices, and tasks required in the recruitment process.
• Some postings may require additional referral questions (RQs). You will receive an email with these questions after the posting’s closing date. Check your email and Personal Status Board for notifications, including your spam or junk folders. 
• You may be required to submit additional documentation supporting your qualifications at any point during the recruitment process. The documentation may include a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, or licensure, at the discretion of the hiring agency.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, but your application may be considered for future vacancies in this job class.
• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
• Candidates offered a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

CONNECT WITH US

• Due to the high volume of applications, we cannot confirm receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. 
• If you have any questions about this recruitment, please contact Emily Kennedy at emily.kennedy@ct.gov.  
• Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn to stay updated on our career opportunities and news.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of the Secretary of the State this class is accountable for directing and conducting the most complex and specialized research investigations/evaluations, statistical analyses, and data-driven studies and projects concerning elections.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Directs the operations of a public statewide information database to investigate if current state and municipal election laws and practices meet the Connecticut Voting Rights Act’s (CTVRA) provisions and conducts investigations of potential infringements of voting rights;
• Collects, maintains, and analyzes CTVRA-related data and information such as U.S. Census estimates, voter registry lists, geocoded data, and shapefiles;
• Updates, maintains, and publishes a list of municipalities subject to the CTVRA’s language-assistance requirements;
• Responds to inquiries from election officials and the public and manages the state’s centralized voter registration system (CVRS)and the election night reporting system;
• Performs complex statistical analyses using predictive modeling, forecasting, multiple regression, trend analysis, log-linear analysis, factor analysis, multi-variate analysis, and parametric and non-parametric statistics;
• Selects, designs, and applies statistical techniques, computerized models, and research principles most suitable for the project at hand and works with staff to carry out studies;
• Analyzes findings and drafts reports, manuals, and other written products for publication;
• Provides training and development to team members and/or other staff;
• Plans, selects, and evaluates technologies related to data retrieval and analysis;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • database management principles, processes, technologies, and tools;
  • database technologies, architecture, and data security;
  • research design and using quantitative and qualitative methodologies to best approach the question at hand;
  • state and federal statutes, regulations, and guidelines related to voting rights and election administration;
• Knowledge of data wrangling, formatting, and cleaning across multiple data sources and formats;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
  • skill in statistical analysis and visualization, including SQL, Python, Tableau, SAS, SPSS, or other programming software;
• Ability to
  • conduct longitudinal research, including by performing trend analyses; 
  • analyze and evaluate data using multiple regression, log-linear analyses, factor analyses, and multi-variate analyses; 
  • use GIS technology to create layered maps of data points; 
  • write technical reports; 
  • maintain a high level of objectivity in a nonpartisan manner with respect to the division’s work, election officials (regardless of party affiliation), and election issues generally;
  • coordinate and collaborate effectively with department, state, community, and agency constituent groups;
  • accurately perform complex analyses;
• Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

An advanced degree in a field of study with coursework in research methodology and statistics such as public administration, statistics, political science, or sociology; AND three (3) years of experience in demography, statistical analysis, and electoral systems using programming software for data visualization.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctorate in a field of study with coursework in research methodology and statistics such as public administration, statistics, political science, or sociology. 
• Experience analyzing and drafting written products for publication. 
• Experience collecting, maintaining, and analyzing data related to the federal or any state Voting Rights Act. 
• Experience collecting information such as U.S. Census estimates, voter registry lists, geocoded data, and shapefiles. 
• Experience updating and publishing a list of municipalities subject to the language-assistance requirements of the federal or any state Voting Rights Act. 
• Experience responding to inquiries from election officials and the public. 
• Experience managing any state’s centralized voter registration system. 
• Experience managing any state’s election night reporting system. 
• Experience selecting, designing, and applying statistical techniques, computerized models, and research principles most suitable for the project at hand. 
• Experience managing and working with staff to carry out studies. 
• Experience in database management principles, processes, technologies, and tools. 
• Experience with data wrangling, formatting, and cleaning across multiple data sources and formats.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility