Social Sciences Research Specialist

DYS is seeking a Social Sciences Research Specialist in the Office of Best Practices Institute. This position will conduct research studies concerning a variety of DYS related issues.

• Independently reviews, designs and plans social sciences research projects, including project definition, statistical and sampling techniques, using tools required to analyze and interpret data provided by stakeholders.
• Utilize advanced skills in descriptive and quantitative statistical concepts including central tendency variability & standard error comparisons, correlational and predictive measures, regression analysis, and Bayesian analysis.
• Provide information and technical assistance to agency staff on research and evaluation issues.
• Conduct qualitative interviews onsite or virtually and complete written thematic content analysis as required.
• Contribute to the Department's internal and external publications.
• Develop social sciences statistical and conceptual models for social science research and evaluation projects.
• Develop graphic presentations.
• Utilize software including Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Excel, Tableau, SAS, Power BI, Google, and others to test hypotheses.
• Prepare records and reports related to research projects that concisely articulate analysis and interpretation of research projects.
• Act as liaison with Information Technology Systems (ITS) to develop and identify expanded data system requirements and inter‑dependency between data networks.

Completion of graduate core coursework in social science or public administration with at least six courses in advanced statistics, statistical analysis and research theory, design & methodology; 18 months experience in research and/or social science policy analysis using advanced statistics, statistical analysis and research theory, design & methodology; 12 months training or 12 months experience in use of computer hardware, software used for spreadsheets, statistical analysis & graphics presentation & work processing.

• Or 6 months experience as Social Sciences Research Analyst, 65261.
• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Research

Youth Services - Central Office

Cassandra Deskins‑Taylor, cassandra.deskins-tayloro.gov

• Location:
  
  DYS William Green Building, United States of Ohio, Columbus, Franklin County
• Compensation: $33.52 - $49.18 per hour
• Schedule:
  
  Full-time, Monday - Friday
• Classified Indicator:
  Classified
• Union: OCSEA
• Primary Job Skill:
  Research
• Technical
  
  Skills:
  
  Data Analytics, Data Modeling, Statistics/Mathematics
• Professional
  
  Skills:
  
  Analyzation, Critical Thinking, Interpreting Data

Our mission at the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) is to improve Ohio's future by habilitating youth and empowering families and communities. We believe that all youth will be given an opportunity to live up to their greatest potential and staff are our greatest resource.

DYS is the juvenile corrections system for the state of Ohio. DYS is statutorily mandated to confine felony offenders, ages 10-21, who have been adjudicated and committed by one of Ohio's 88 county juvenile courts. During their stay with DYS, youth are engaged in programming that is designed to address their criminological and behavioral needs. DYS reaches thousands of youth in facilities and those on parole.

• Demonstrate staff are our greatest resource
• Treat everyone with respect
• Cultivate a trauma responsive environment for staff and youth to thrive
• Provide the best support and services for youth and families
• Advance our culture of inclusion through understanding and appreciating staff and youth differences
• Commit to and encourage collaboration and continuous improvement to produce better outcomes for those we serve
• Celebrate collective successes and support one another through opportunities to improve

To learn more about DYS, please visit our website by clicking here
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Unposting Date:
Jan 4, 2026 11:59:00 PM