Data Analytics Specialist 1

THE POSITION

Do you enjoy working with data, developing, and utilizing data products to improve risk mitigation while reducing inefficiencies, and collaborating with stakeholders to support fraud prevention and detection? If you said yes, this role may be the right fit for you! The Public School Employee's Retirement Systems (PSERS) is expanding our Risk and Performance Data Office (RPDO) and is looking to hire one or more Data Analytics Specialist 1's to enhance our current team. We are looking for individuals who have professional quantitative analytical experience and can translate risk and performance needs into analytical requirements and standards for the PSERS agency. Apply today!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position is responsible for developing data products, dashboards, and analyses that help business units monitor performance, assess risks, and identify operational improvements. As a Data Analytics Specialist 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Collaboration: Work closely with the Chef Data officer on developing complex data visualizations that are interactive with self-service functionality, work with assigned business units to determine KPIs, and partner with Bureau of Information Technology and Information Security Office to establish automated data pipelines
• Fraud Prevention: Analyze, monitor, and review data for identification of current and emerging threats, determine items that need further investigation, and suggest solutions in developing products to meet needs
• Technical and Analytical Support: Gather risk related information for PSERS business areas; monitor and address any potential audit findings; and interpret data, data validity, and deployment of data to business units
• Presentation and Communication: Write executive summaries of fraud events for leadership, provide insights that inform decisions and advance organizational objectives, and determine appropriate analytical approaches that support fraud prevention strategies

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Hours may be negotiable, to be discussed during interview process.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. This position will be required to report to the office 1 day a week, and any additional days depending on operational needs. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to PSERS headquarters in Harrisburg, PA. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Successful completion of the Data Analytics Trainee program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Two years of professional quantitative analytical experience utilizing data preparation, statistical analysis, or data visualization software programs and a bachelor’s degree in statistics, applied mathematics, computer science, data science, economics, actuarial science, geographic information systems (GIS), or a related STEM field (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics); Thirty (30) graduate credits in data analytics or a closely related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform Essential Functions as presented in the linked Position Description.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
• your score may be lower than deserved.
• you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

Benefits

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.