Research Scientist 4 (Biostatistics/Health Services Research)

The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description The Research Scientist 4 (RS4) position will serve as the Division Statewide Services, Bureau Service Allocation, Research and Review (BSARR), Research & Data Analysis Team Lead. The BSARR is responsible for leading various agency-wide initiatives to improve health equity, service allocation and service access. BSARR is a fundamental part of our strategic goals of transforming our system through innovation and change. The Research Scientist 4 will report directly to the Bureau Director. The Division of Statewide Services has advanced agency-wide equity goals by creating standard service guidance that are based on valid and reliable assessment data. With these tools now available, BSARR will lead efforts that ensure that our system adheres to service authorization guidance, thus serving as OPWDD's first Utilization Management team. This position will implement standard operating procedures which will be the mechanism to stem over-utilization & promote fairness in service access, goals that are especially important given the workforce crisis. The Bureau's Research & Data Analysis Team will collaborate across OPWDD to inform data-driven analysis, modeling, and analytics related to OPWDD service authorization and service utilization. This team is intentionally positioned in the Division of Statewide Services to ensure the required integration of subject matters experts in assessment, clinical evaluation, resource allocation and data analysis. Specifically, the Research Scientist 4 will oversee a team of staff who will review OPWDD supports/services, analyze data trends pertaining to service allocation and access, and inform decision making related to the care coordination processes for our OPWDD service system of nearly 140,000 individuals. This position will be responsible for providing oversight and monitoring of data quality improvement and will focus on topics areas identified as priorities by OPWDD leadership. This information will be leveraged to help the agency look at where areas of the service spectrum may not meet the needs of the people, where there may be issues of access and where there may be issues of inequity. The Research Scientist 4 (BSARR Research & Data Analysis Team Lead) will be directly responsible for the following: · Oversight of service authorization and service utilization data collection and research, management systems, and reporting.· Maintain health information management systems including acquisition, organization, standardization, delivery, and use of healthcare data.· Conduct and create reports relevant to inter-rater reliability assessment and other tasks related to Quality Assurance.· Research trends of service authorizations including under-utilization, over-utilization, and denials.· Assist with ongoing staff education in proper use of systems consistent with BSARR policy and procedures.· Research, review and analyze data to understand the impact of variables or conditions on service allocation and access.· Assist with the definition and development of policies, standards, and procedures to support BSARR processes.· Disseminate analysis findings which may impact BSARR policies and/or procedures.· Ensure compliance with all HIPAA and other relevant privacy regulations, as well as agency policies and practices pertaining to confidentiality and protection of information.· Conduct ongoing analysis of systemic issues to support clinical and management decision making.· Document allocation and utilization reviews and recommendations submitted to the Division of Statewide Services.· Consult with regional staff reviewing case files and/or other subject matter experts as needed.· Provide supervision, guidance, and oversight to subordinate staff; intervenes and resolve problems as necessary.· Maintain confidentiality of personal health information.· Assist with developing and/or presenting trainings, as assigned.· Other duties as assigned by the Division of Statewide Services. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: · Experience in creating reports and visualizations to interpret and communicate findings, such as identifying patterns, trends, and insights.· Experience in developing predictive models to forecast research trends and outcomes.· Expertise in both creating and utilizing large complex data sets and data analysis tools within Tableau.· Strong experience in data analysis and data validation using tools such as SAS, SPSS, SQL, Python, R or other statistical languages.· Experience addressing programmatic improvements needed with plans of corrective action.· Strong written and verbal communication skills. #LI-EF1

The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. Minimum Qualifications Non-Competitive: Bachelor’s degree and five years of professional research experience in an appropriate field. Substitutions: Master’s degree in an appropriate field may substitute for one year of experience, and Ph.D. in an appropriate field may substitute for an additional year of experience.

Additional comments regarding the vacancy. Additional Comments • The assignment of PS&T employees will be made in accordance with any agreed upon Memorandum of Understanding between PEF and the local DDSO regarding the posting of job vacancies. • Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume. • All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility. • If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA). • If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at (518) 486-7222 or email [email protected] to obtain information and RA forms. • Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan. • Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses. • Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs. • Life insurance and Disability insurance. • The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis. • Paid Holidays and Leave: ° Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year. ° Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially. ° Five (5) days paid personal leave each year. ° Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year. ° Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events. • Health Care Coverage: Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost. • Paid Parental Leave: Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care. • Retirement Program: Participate in The NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation. • Professional Development and Education and Training: NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit • OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.***All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.***

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