Data Specialist - Health and Human Services Administration

Salary: $34.78 - $46.60 Hourly
Location : Salem, OR
Job Type: Full-time Regular
Job Number: 185-2025-1
Department: Health and Human Services
Division: HHS - Health Administrative Services
Opening Date: 03/28/2025
Closing Date: 4/10/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 06

Marion County requires on-site work. Remote work is not available.

Are you passionate about using data to drive meaningful change in your community? Marion County Health & Human Services is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Data Specialist to support our mission of promoting the health and well-being of our community.

In this dynamic role, you will work across departments to merge, clean, and analyze data, create engaging visualizations and dashboards, and provide critical insights that inform health and human services decision-making. You'll contribute to policy development, program evaluation, and strategic planning through quantitative and qualitative analysis.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Perform journey-level activities to the research and analysis of routine administrative and business management policies and practices while developing proficiency and experience related to government operations and administration. Responsibilities include preparing statistical and related reports; providing administrative and analytical support; and analyzing budget, program, contract, and/or service delivery modifications.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the supervision of a supervisor who assigns work, establishes goals, and reviews the results obtained for overall effectiveness.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Primary supervision of other employees is not a responsibility of positions in this classification.
Typical Duties - Duties include, but are not limited to the following
Data Analytics & Reporting

• Data merging, cleaning, and mapping in Microsoft Excel
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses to support program evaluation and policy development
• Maintain a data dictionary for all program-level reports
• Create dashboards, reports, and visualizations using Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or GIS platforms
• Ensure data quality by performing validation, standardization, and reconciliation processes
• Generate and validate ongoing reports for service areas and leadership, ensuring data accuracy and providing insights for decision-making
• Collaborate with programs and leadership teams to assist with decision support and reporting requirements

Data Governance & Compliance

• Write and review data governance policies and implement data governance practices in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
• Assist in grant reporting and compliance by providing accurate data and insights
• Support program staff in data collection best practices and technology use
• Maintain knowledge of emerging data technologies and best practices in health and human services analytics

Strategic & Organizational Support

• Identify opportunities to streamline data workflows and improve efficiency
• Perform analytical and strategic support functions to help the department fulfill its commitments to its strategic plan, performance management, and promoting data-driven decisions
• Provide analysis of policies involving organizational, administrative, and/or fiscal processes and services
• Perform literature reviews and collect information related to any of MCHHS Divisions

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with internal teams, external partners, and community organizations to support data-driven decision-making
• Monitor and triage incoming requests through the HealthData email, working with the Sr. Data Specialist to prioritize assignments
• Serve as a member of the Strategic Operations Team to promote progress in the department's data analytics capabilities and priorities, as well as initiatives supporting the department's mission, vision, and values

Technical & Operational Support

• Build data collection tools in Excel, Survey Monkey, RedCap, or Microsoft Forms, at the direction of the Sr. Data Specialist and/or Sr. Epidemiologist
• Serve as a backup to the Sr. Data Specialist

Training & Professional Development

• Participate in required training, meetings, and communications
• Utilize quality improvement & performance management strategies to improve project outcomes
• Complete ICS 100, 200, 700, 800 Courses and participate in the Department Operations Center as a technical specialist in the Planning Section
• Other duties as assigned by your supervisor.
• Response Level 2: In the event of an emergency, employee makes a reasonable effort to report to work. Employee may be required to perform duties outside of their regularly assigned duties. Employee may be requested to work an extended or flexible schedule. Staff at this response level must complete Incident Command System 100 and 700 on-line or in-person training.

Requirements for the Position

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, public affairs or a related field; AND

One year of responsible experience in business or public administration, public affairs, or a related field: OR

Any satisfactory combination of work, education, training, or experience relevant to the position, as determined by Marion County.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a current driver's license in the applicant's state of residence and an acceptable driving history. Marion County will obtain a copy of the driving record for all qualified applicants from Driver and Motor Vehicle Services and review the driving record according to the Marion County policy and procedure for Driving on County Business. The policy can be found at:
• The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
• This position may be subject to the following: Must not be excluded from participation in the federal health care programs (Medicaid, Medicare and other federally funded programs that provide health benefits); AND must not be excluded from participating in federal procurement (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and non-procurement activities (Executive Order No. 12549).
• This assignment is represented by a union.
• This is a full-time position, which is eligible for overtime.
• Typical Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department and program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Working knowledge of public administration concepts and theories; principles and practices in assigned area of responsibility; research and statistical methods; statistical analysis and theory; project management methods; report writing techniques.

Substantial skills and abilities using computers and applicable software applications; conducting research; analyzing a variety of statistical data and/or information and making recommendations based on findings; writing reports; presenting information; interpreting and applying program/project requirements; managing projects; working effectively with clients, co-workers, employees, and supervisors from diverse backgrounds; gathering, interpreting cultural contexts; communication both verbal and written, sufficient to exchange information and able to receive work direction.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSOperates a motor vehicle; sees using depth perception; stands; sits; moves about the work area; lifts up to 10 lbs.; pushes and pulls items weighing up to 10 lbs.; carries items weighing up to 5 lbs. for up to 300 feet; moves carts weighing up to 10 lbs.; operates a keyboard; speaks clearly and audibly; reads a 12 pt. font; hears a normal level of speech; distinguish colors and shades; works in areas that may be exposed to heat, cold, noise, humidity, dust, chemicals, and works in areas that may be uneven.

PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS
Marion County is a qualifying public employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, full-time employees working at the County may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan. Questions about your loan eligibility should be directed to your loan servicer or the US Department of Education.

VISA SPONSORSHIP
Marion County does not offer VISA sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. Marion County is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE
Applicants are eligible to use Veterans' Preference when applying with Marion County in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235 and OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015. Preference will be awarded only if the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the position and attaches the required documentation at the time of application.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VETERANS' PREFERENCE

• One of the following:
  • MEMBER COPY 4 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215); OR
  • Letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension; OR
  • Certification that discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.

• In addition to one of the above documents, Disabled Veterans must also submit one of the following:
  • A copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs; OR
  • Certification that medical separation from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.

You can request copies of your military service record through the National Archives website at

Marion County is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Veteran and Disability employer committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.

Applicants with a disability may request reasonable accommodation, through Human Resources, in any step of the process to assist them in demonstrating their qualifications to perform the duties of the position for which they are applying. Please e-mail if you wish to request an accommodation.
Marion County offers a generous benefits package to regular employees working 50% or more of the regularly scheduled work week and their eligible dependents. Temporary employees and part-time regular employees working less than 50% of the regularly scheduled work week are not eligible for benefits.

Most regular positions in this classification are represented by Marion County Employees Association (MCEA). For a summary of benefits, For a complete and detailed overview of the MCEA benefits package, , and select MCEA Benefits from the left menu or Marion County Employees Association (MCEA) from the page links. Regular and temporary employees are represented by MCEA.

Salary and benefits are subject to union contract negotiations and may change as a result.
01

1 All Recruitments: To receive credit for your supplemental questions, your answers must be supported by details in the education and/or work experience section of your application form. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer. Do you understand this statement?

• Yes
• No

02

Describe a project where you had to merge and clean data from multiple sources. What tools did you use, and how did you ensure data quality?
03

What's your experience with creating dashboards or visualizations? Which platforms have you used, and how do you tailor visualizations for different audiences?
04

How do you validate your data and ensure its accurate and reliable before sharing with stakeholders?
05

How many years of work experience do you have in business or public administration, public affairs, or a related field? One year of work experience is equal to 2,080 hours.

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years or more
• None of the above

06

Please specify the place(s) of employment where you gained the work experience listed in the previous question. Write NA in the box if this question does not apply to you. Experience listed in this answer must be supported by the work experience section of your application. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer.
Required Question