Social Sciences Research Specialist

Job Description – Social Sciences Research Specialist (260000B0)

Job & Family Services

Agency Contact: odjfscareerso.gov

Jan 26, 2026, 4:59:00 AM

James A Rhodes Office Tower 37, 30 East Broad Street 37th Floor, Columbus 43215

United States of America – OHIO – Franklin County – Columbus

$33.52 per hour (Step 1 of Pay Range 33)

Full‑time. Standard workdays Monday through Friday. 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

OCSEA

Research

• Data Analytics
• Inspection Principles
• Research

• Attention to Detail
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making
• Problem Solving
• Observation

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) supports Ohioans and their families through the following programs:

• Cash and Food Assistance
• Employment Services and Workforce Development
• Unemployment Insurance
• Adult Protective Services
• Child Support

Public service is an honorable way to serve the community in a hands‑on, dedicated manner. You can make a difference in someone’s world!

• We will be a leader in customer satisfaction.
• We will have a reputation that attracts and retains talented, diverse, and dedicated employees.
• We get better at what we do every day.

The Office of Workforce Development (OWD) administers several federal workforce programs and oversees a network of local Ohio Means Jobs  centers, which provide free job training and other services for Ohioans looking for work and employers seeking workers. OWD also assists job seekers through , an online job‑matching system that brings both employers and job seekers to one easy‑to‑use website. Learn more about the office by visiting the ODJFS OWD webpage.

• Serve as a data and reporting expert within the Office of Workforce Development. Provide leadership and staff with clear reports, data analysis, and summaries to support decisions.
• Offer data‑based recommendations related to program operations, performance, and policy.
• Complete required federal reports for multiple grants, including managing and cleaning very large data files with millions of participant records.
• Work closely with program staff, system vendors, and monitoring teams to check data accuracy and improve program results.
• Help develop statistical models and tools that fairly measure how well workforce programs are performing.

• Knowledge of data analytics/data science
• Knowledge of government systems and associated processes
• Research methodology and statistics
• Communication (communicating complex information clearly)
• Problem solving, decision making, and process improvement

• In‑state trainings and all‑staff meetings occur approximately three to four times a year.
• Travel to out‑of‑state training or conferences may occur.

PN(s):

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full‑time and part‑time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio benefits, visit our Total Rewards website.

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

* Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

• OPTION 1: Completion of graduate core coursework in social science or public administration with at least 6 courses in advanced statistics, statistical analysis, research theory, design & methodology.
• AND 18 months experience in application of advanced statistics and research methodology.
• AND 12 months experience in use of computer hardware, software for spreadsheets, statistical analysis, graphics presentation, and work…