Salary : $95,676.00 - $128,688.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-05560
Department: Health Care Authority
Division: SPI
Opening Date: 07/06/2026
Closing Date: 7/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Cost Board Data Analyst (DSIS2/SPI)
71104739
This Data Scientist position directly influences public health policy. It offers the chance to tackle high-impact problems using advanced analytics while directly supporting a major state health initiative. The incumbent will drive tangible policy changes: shape healthcare policy and improve healthcare affordability by providing actionable insights to the Health Care Cost Transparency Board. They will analyze real-world healthcare claims and supplementary data to solve complex healthcare spending and delivery issues.
All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.
About the division:
The DATA (Data Acquisition, Transformation and Analytics) team of the Health Care Authority, within the Strategy, Policy, and Innovation (SPI) division, is responsible for leading agency data strategy; and leading the implementation, maintenance, and enhancement of the data management, analytics and reporting systems that inform agency leadership in support of HCA's goals, as well as for monitoring program performance to ensure accountability and alignment with agency activities.
About the position:
This position utilizes mathematics, statistics, and specialized programming to extract knowledge from structured and unstructured health care data. As an experienced Data Scientist, the position focus is on creating advanced data analytics, applying statistical techniques, and developing data visualizations in support of the Health Care Cost Transparency Board. This position will support the development of actionable insights that can be used to improve health care outcomes and affordability, reduce health care cost growth, solve problems, meet reporting requirements and make informed policy decisions.
This position is eligible to telework but is occasionally required to report on-site to meet business need (approximately 4-6 times a year). The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions - both on-site and telework eligible positions - is within the State of Washington. This position reports to Olympia, WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs.
All agency employees are required to report on-site in Olympia on their first and last days of employment to pick up and return state-issued equipment, regardless of telework status or location.
Duties
Some of what you will do:
- Collect, validate, and/or analyze health care claims, non-claims and other supplementary data to design and develop health care reporting and visualizations for the Health Care Cost Transparency Board and to help the agency make data-driven decisions.
- Generate data products from structured and unstructured data sources using programming languages such as R, SAS, SQL, M code and/or Python to write data code/query scripts. Develop algorithms, build data models, and automate data processing tasks.
- Partner with requestors to develop and/or translate data requests into analytic projects supporting the Health Care Cost Transparency Board.
- Provide consultation to data requestors and data users regarding data access, feasibility, statistical validity, etc.
- Work with appropriate business analysts or business owners to determine resolution of complex issues, using innovative methods to solve complex technical challenges.
- Develop, interpret, communicate, and present data science findings to a variety of audiences, including colleagues, policymakers, and the public.
- Determine and verify analytic project conclusions and translate information into insightful recommendations.
- Develop health care data science modeling, evaluation, research, and statistical analysis for Health Care Cost Transparency Board.
- Use quantitative research methods commonly used in scientific, surveillance, and/or actuarial and economic research to analyze and interpret data.
- Monitor, address, and/or provide consultation for changes, gaps, and other impacts to healthcare spending data sources and infrastructure.
- Troubleshoot issues in a timely fashion and minimizes disruption of data transmission.
Qualifications
Required qualifications:
Qualifying candidates will meet
one of the following criteria options:
Option 1:
- Master's degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or related technical or quantitative field, within health care, public health, and/or behavioral health.
Option 2:
- Bachelor's degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or related technical or quantitative field.
- Two (2) years of professional experience performing data science or informatics data work, within health care, public health, and/or behavioral health. Experience must include at least two years' experience working with complex analytics, data visualization software and R, SAS, SQL, M code and/or Python programming.
Option 3:
- Six (6) years of professional experience performing data science or informatics data work, within health care, public health, and/or behavioral health. Experience must include at least two years' experience working with complex analytics, data visualization software and R, SAS, SQL, M code and/or Python programming.
Required competencies:
- The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy.
Preferred qualifications:
- Knowledge of medical and/or pharmacy coding such as ICD-10, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes; health care business and systems; research methods; advanced statistical theory and techniques.
- Comfortable interacting with staff members at all levels of the agency; high level of workload management including organization and prioritization of tasks; ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team; excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Advanced experience working with large and complex data sets; advanced level SQL, R, Python, SAS or other programming skills; experience with data visualization using Power BI, Tableau and other similar visualization tools.
How to apply:
Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification.
To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach in separate files:
- A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
- Current resume
To take advantage of
veteran preference, please do the following:
- Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
- Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Supplemental Information
About HCA:
Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.
What we have to offer:
- Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve
- A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered
- A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
- A great total compensation and benefit package
- A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
- And free parking!
Notes:
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.
HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA's mission. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply. If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Angelic Matthews at Angelic.Matthews@HCA.WA.Gov
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an All applicants with a in the United States are encouraged to apply.
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More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligibl
