Social Sciences Research Specialist

Social Sciences Research Specialist (260000B0)

Organization: Job & Family Services

Agency Contact Name and Information: odjfscareers@jfs.ohio.gov

Unposting Date: Jan 25, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

Work Location: James A Rhodes Office Tower, 30 East Broad Street 37th Floor Columbus 43215

Primary Location: United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

 Compensation: $33.52

Schedule: Full-time

Work Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Classified Indicator: Classified

Union: OCSEA

Primary Job Skill: Research

Technical Skills: Data Analytics, Inspection Principles, Research

Professional Skills: Attention to Detail, Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Observation

Agency Overview

Who We Are

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) supports Ohioans and their families through the following programs:

• Cash and Food Assistance
• Employment Services and Workforce Development
• Unemployment Insurance
• Adult Protective Services
• Child Support

Public service is an honorable way to serve the community in a hands-on dedicated way. You can make a difference in someone’s world!

Guiding Principles

• We will be a leader in customer satisfaction.
• We will have a reputation that attracts and retains talented, diverse, and dedicated employees.
• We get better at what we do every day.

Job Description

Office of Workforce Development

The Office of Workforce Development (OWD) administers several federal workforce programs and oversees a network of local OhioMeansJobs centers, which provide free job training and other services for Ohioans looking for work and employers seeking workers. OWD also assists job seekers through OhioMeansJobs.com, an online job matching system that brings both employers and job seekers to one easy-to-use website. Learn more about the office by visiting the ODJFS OWD webpage.

What You Will Do:

In this role with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), you will work on a team that tracks, analyzes, and reports data for several state and federal workforce programs, including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Combined Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP). These programs help job seekers, youth, and displaced workers find jobs and training, and they help employers connect with workers.

Your team is responsible for reporting program results to the U.S. Department of Labor and helping state and local workforce partners understand how their programs are performing. You will regularly create data reports and share insights with program leaders and other stakeholders.

·       Serve as a data and reporting expert within the Office of Workforce Development. Provide leadership and staff with clear reports, data analysis, and summaries to support decisions.

·       Offer data-based recommendations related to program operations, performance, and policy.

·       Complete required federal reports for multiple grants, including managing and cleaning very large data files with millions of participant records.

·       Work closely with program staff, system vendors, and monitoring teams to check data accuracy and improve program results.

·       Help develop statistical models and tools that fairly measure how well workforce programs are performing.

Recommended Skills:

·       Knowledge of data analytics/data science

·       Knowledge of government systems and associated processes

·       Research methodology and statistics

·       Communication (communicating complex information clearly)

·       Problem solving, decision making, and process improvement

Schedule: Full-time

Hours: Standard workdays are Monday through Friday. Hours are between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Location: James A. Rhodes State Office Tower 30 East Broad St., Floor 37, Columbus, Ohio 43215

Travel: 

·       In-state trainings and all-staff meetings occur approximately three to four times a year.

·       Travel to out-of-state training or conferences may occur.

PN(s): 20042047

Why Work for the State of Ohio

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate, at minimum, must have the following: 

OPTION 1:

Completion of graduate core coursework in social science or public administration with at least 6 courses in advanced statistics & statistical analysis & research theory, design & methodology, (i.e. earned an undergraduate or graduate level).

AND 

18 mos. exp. in application of advanced statistics & statistical analysis & research theory, design & methodology.

AND 

12 mos. exp. in use of computer hardware, software used for spreadsheets, statistical analysis & graphics presentation & work processing.

OR

Option 2:

6 mos. exp. as Social Sciences Research Analyst, 65261.

OR

Option 3:

Equivalent of minimum class qualifications for employment noted above.

OPTION 1:

Tips For Your Application

When completing the different sections of this application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined in this job posting. We cannot give you credit for your Work Experience and Education & Certifications if you do not provide that information in your online application. Information in attached resumes or cover letters must be entered into your application in the appropriate Work Experience or Education & Certification sections to be considered.