Job Description
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.
Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To - Independently reviews, designs and plans social sciences research projects that include 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.
- Provides information and technical assistance to agency staff on research and evaluation issues.
- Conducts qualitative interviews onsite or virtually and completes written thematic content analysis as required.
- Contributes to the Department's internal and external publications.
- Develops social sciences statistical and conceptual models for social science research and evaluation projects.
- Develop graphic presentations.
- Utilizes software including Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Excel, Tableau, SAS, PowerBI, Google, and others to test hypotheses.
- Prepares records and reports related to research projects that concisely articulate analysis and interpretation of research projects.
- Acts 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 6 courses in advanced statistics & statistical analysis & research theory, design & methodology; 18 mos. exp. in research &/or social science policy analysis using advanced statistics & statistical analysis & research theory, design & methodology; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in use of computer hardware, software used for spreadsheets, statistical analysis & graphics presentation & work processing.
- Or 6 mos. exp. as Social Sciences Research Analyst, 65261.
- Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
Job Skills: Research
Organization Youth Services - Central Office
Agency Contact Name and Information Cassandra Deskins-Taylor, cassandra.deskins-taylor@dys.ohio.gov
Unposting Date Jan 4, 2026, 11:59:00 PM
Work Location DYS William Green Building
Primary Location United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus
Compensation $33.52 - $49.18/per hour
Schedule Full-time
Work Hours 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
Agency Overview JOIN OUR TEAM! About Us… 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.
Our Guiding Principles…- 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
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, Work at office, Monday to Friday,