Social Sciences Research Specialist 20017893

Who We Are… 
Guided by a single mission “To reduce recidivism among those we touch,” the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction believes that everyone is capable of positive change. Our staff embrace these core values and serves as role models for pro-social behavior conveying an attitude of dignity and respect in the treatment of others. 
 
What We Do… 
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has been tasked with front line crime reduction through rehabilitative treatment and programming efforts provided in a safe, secure and humane correctional environment and effective community supervision. Our goal is to protect the public through helping individuals turn away from crime and become productive, contributing members of our communities, ensuring a safer Ohio for all Ohioans now and in the future. 
 
To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.drc.ohio.gov 
 
Are You Ready? 
We are thrilled to see that you are interested in beginning your career with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction! Without a doubt, this will be the most rewarding and meaningful work you’ll ever find with a work family that is second to none! 

The Social Sciences Research Specialist responsibilities include:  

• Requires thorough knowledge of social science or public administration and advanced research and statistical methods/techniques
• Serves as lead researcher in the direction of research studies and program evaluations Directs and trains other workers and researchers in research efforts
• Designs and conduct research projects and program evaluations, including selection of appropriate methodologies, data collection, implementation and direction of data analysis, use of statistical package for data manipulation and statistical analysis, interpretation of results and preparation of written and oral reports
• Summaries and reports may include recommendations for policy and program changes
• Performs tasks directly or guides other staff in these tasks
• Review the accuracy of routine statistical reports
• Work individually or in project teams
• Develops analytical tools (e.g., data forms, processing packages, conceptual models, etc.)
• Develop computer programs for statistical analysis and select and interpret inferential statistics
• Makes recommendations for program changes based upon research results
• Oversee routine numerical summary reporting
• Work individually or in project teams
• Coordinates other support of the research and evaluation units with the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, including helping with numerical summary reports and special extracts, questionnaires or surveys
• Speak or prepare written summaries for the Department in areas of research
• Supports other Offices in the department by designing and conducting research and program evaluation projects
• Make policy and program recommendations
• Includes use of statistical packages for data manipulation and statistical analysis
• Maintains data systems
• Proposes, develops, and implements changes in information processing procedures

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.

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

• Application Procedures: 
• In order to be considered for this position, you must apply on-line through this posting website.  (We no longer accept paper applications.) 
• When completing your on-line Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. 
• We cannot give you credit for your qualifications, experience, education and training in the job selection process if you do not provide it in your on-line application.
• You can check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website.
• We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application.  Be sure to check your email often.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please contact the Human Resources Office so proper arrangements can be made. Otherwise, you will be given specific instructions on requesting an accommodation if you are invited to an assessment and/or interview.

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is a tobacco-free workplace.

Pre-Employment Drug Testing:
All final applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. Testing will also be performed for the presence of marijuana. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment unless the applicant submits medical documentation of legally prescribed medications or a recommendation for medical marijuana.

Pre-Employment Background Investigation:
The final applicant selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check.  An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is prohibited from hiring:
 

• Individuals under a federal or state weapons disability if the position requires firearms certification/recertification and use;
• Individuals who have engaged in sexual abuse in a prison or other confinement facility; have been civilly or administratively adjudicated, or convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, implied threats of force, or if the victim did not or was unable to consent; 
• Individuals convicted of soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism, terrorism, or money laundering to support terrorism; 
• Individuals who have been convicted of or pled guilty to a felony where a direct correlation exists between the position and prior criminal behavior.  

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.