Associate Data Scientist - Workforce Analytics

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states:
Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy. Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition.

We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.

Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.

Position Summary An Associate Data Scientist will play a crucial role in handling and analyzing large datasets to uncover valuable insights. This role is specifically focused on applying data science to HR, workforce, and people analytics, requiring experience working with employee data and related business processes. They utilize statistical methods, machine learning algorithms, and data visualization techniques to interpret complex data.

By collaborating with cross-functional teams, they help translate data findings into actionable business strategies, thereby supporting data-driven decision-making processes. Additionally, they may assist in developing predictive models, automating data collection processes, and ensuring data quality and integrity. This position often serves as a foundational step towards more advanced roles in data science, providing essential skills and experience in the field.

Core Responsibilities Familiar in working with the two primary languages - SQL and Python. Both are widely used for data analysis, machine learning, and visualization.

Applied experience in strategic workforce planning, people analytics, resource planning, or related workforce discipline - required experience

Knowledge of machine learning techniques and algorithms.

Experience with data visualization tools like Posit or Power BI.Understand key concepts related to managing and analyzing large datasets. This includes using statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to derive actionable insights.

Translate the business goals to technical expertise.

Translate data insights into actionable recommendations for decision-makers.

Collaborate closely with more senior team members and learn from experienced colleagues.

Effectively communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders, collaborate with team members, and present to business users.

Minimum Requirements Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, statistics, math or a related analytical concentration is required. Other bachelor’s degrees with data science relevant certifications will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications Utility, energy, or regulated industry experience.

Experience working with HR, workforce, or other sensitive employee data and related business processes.

Hands-on experience using experiments or causal impact evaluation to measure the effectiveness of business programs, initiatives, or interventions. Familiarity with reproducible analytical workflows, version control, model validation, and data quality practices.

Experience developing reusable statistical models, analytical tools, or data products for…