Behavioral Health Care Data Team Lead - Research Scientist 3

Working Title: Behavioral Health Care Data Team Lead
Job Class: Research Scientist 3
Agency: Human Services Dept

• Job ID: 95223
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 07/01/2026
• Closing Date: 07/08/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Human Services Dept / MAPE DHS Central Office
• Division/Unit: DHS-Central Office / BHDH AMH Data Evaluation
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 8:00am to 4:30pm
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $37.91 - $56.39 / hourly; $79,156 - $117,742 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The Department of Human Services is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DHS does not participate in E-Verify.

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

*This position is eligible for*
telework
*for applicants who reside in Minnesota or in a bordering state, with supervisory approval and satisfactory performance. If you live in a state bordering Minnesota, you must live within 50 miles or less from the primary work location to be eligible for telework.
*Flexible work hours may be permitted with supervisor approval.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Team Lead for Adult Mental Health on the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) Data Team. This position will assist the team supervisor in overseeing and conducting complex research, evaluation, performance measurement, and data analysis to inform policy, program changes, and strategic planning. The incumbent will lead cross-functional projects, respond to high-level data requests, and develop novel research studies with systemic impact. This position will provide technical expertise, training, and mentorship to staff; support workflow management, process improvement, and quality assurance; and collaborate with the team supervisor, leadership, internal partners, and stakeholders to modernize data systems and improve decision-making. The incumbent will act as back-up to the team supervisor to maintain workflow and operational efficiency.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Lead divisional and cross-division research and data projects, ensuring timely, high-quality, and cost-effective results. Provide expert guidance, training, and mentorship to research and analyst staff; develop efficient workflows and collaborative processes; and oversee quality assurance activities. Represent the team with internal and external partners, manage complex projects to meet established deadlines and standards. and serve as back-up to the Data Team supervisor solely to maintain workflow and operational efficiency.
• Develop and execute highly technical analyses in association with studies of public program utilization, performance measurement, policy analysis, and evaluations of demonstration projects.
• Lead the interpretation of complex data analyses and research studies to provide leadership, internal partners, and stakeholders with actionable insights that inform policy and program decisions. Direct the preparation of comprehensive reports to meet state and federal adult mental health reporting requirements, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Develop and present findings in formats tailored to diverse technical and non-technical audiences, including DHS leadership, internal partners, local agencies, community organizations, stakeholders, and professional associations. Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure that reporting outputs address strategic priorities and support evidence-based decision-making.
• Represent BHA on cross-divisional and interagency teams and work groups, contributing subject matter expertise to strategic discussions and project planning. Provide technical consultation on data-related aspects of agency modernization and transition initiatives, ensuring analytical rigor, data integrity, and alignment with organizational objectives. Advise on the design, implementation, and evaluation of data solutions, identify potential challenges, and recommend evidence-based approaches to support agency-wide modernization efforts.

Minimum Qualifications

Three (3) years specialized advance-level working experience in researching, program evaluation principles and practices, performance measurement, business analytics and/or process improvement.

Experience Must Demonstrate

• Independently leading complex analytics or evaluation projects with cross-functional stakeholders and policy or program impact.
• Working knowledge of behavioral health systems, to include, but not limited to publicly funded service delivery, financing, and/or data environments.
• Extensive use of proficiency in SQL and/or statistical programming for data extraction, analysis, and reporting.
• Expertise with enterprise data warehouse environments and large, multi-source datasets (clinical, claims, encounter, administrative), including data integration and validation.
• Developing dashboards (e.g., Tableau, VizPortal), translating data into actionable insights, and providing functional team lead or project coordination.

Preferred Qualifications

• Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
• Master’s degree or higher in public health, epidemiology, psychology, statistics, data science, behavioral health, or closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex behavioral health analytics, research, or evaluation initiatives, including aligning and transforming data across systems, improving data reliability, and applying data governance and quality standards to support accurate, high-impact decision-making.
• Advanced expertise in behavioral health administration, including deep knowledge of Mental Health programs, service utilization, system performance, and the application of data to drive policy, funding, and program design decisions at a statewide level.
• Advanced knowledge of MMIS and related claims, billing, encounter, and financial/utilization data, including application to reporting, evaluation, and decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience providing functional team lead support and coordinating complex analytic or project-based workstreams, including managing priorities and ensuring quality and consistency of deliverables.
• Demonstrated experience leading federal and state reporting including ensuring compliance, data accuracy, validation, and audit readiness, and influencing executive leadership through data-driven insights and recommendations.

Additional Requirements

• Minnesota Department of Human Services(DHS) criminal background check will be conducted on all finalists for this position. Finalists must pass the DHS background check.
• Employee reference checks will be conducted on all finalists. This may include a review of documentation related to job performance. It also includes contact with the applicant's former employer(s).

About Human Services Dept

WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE! The Minnesota Department of Human Services impacts the lives of 1.7 million people every year, helping them meet their basic needs so they can achieve their highest potential.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your Benefits May Include

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support To Help You Reach Your Career Goals

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) For Work/life Support

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies
based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, you can contact the Careers Help Desk.

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