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DATA/RESEARCH ANALYST

State of Arkansas
7 hours ago
Full-time
On-site
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
$57,351 - $84,879 USD yearly
Bachelor's

Position Number: 22102324 
County: Pulaski 
Posting End Date: April 29, 2026

 

 

Job duties: 

 

 

The Data Specialist for Grants and Federal Reporting supports the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (OSAMH) by serving as the primary analyst for all non‑Medicaid data management and reporting activities.

 

This role supports the agency’s ability to secure funding, maintain compliance, and demonstrate program effectiveness through accurate and timely federal reporting.

 

The Data Specialist is responsible for receiving, consolidating, and analyzing data to support grant applications, annual and quarterly reports, and compliance requirements across multiple behavioral health programs.

 

The position plays a critical role in translating complex data into clear, usable formats to support program monitoring and reporting, and communicates technical data findings clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

 

This role works closely with program staff, OSAMH finance teams, and federal contractors to support grant reporting for mental health and substance use disorder programs, including, but not limited to, Mental Health Block Grant applications and annual reports, contributions to the Annual State Profiles Report, Social Services Block Grant reporting, and Substance Use Disorder Unit grant reporting.

 

The Data Specialist ensures data accuracy through validation and reconciliation processes, supports financial and programmatic reporting, and maintains documentation to ensure compliance with federal grant requirements and audit standards.

 

 

Preferred Qualifications: 

 

 

• Experience analyzing and managing large, complex datasets and producing clear, actionable reports

 


• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including working with data from multiple formats and creating dashboards or visual summaries

 


• Familiarity with federal reporting or grant management systems

 


• Experience using SQL for data extraction and manipulation

 


• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) and analytical/statistical tools (e.g., SAS, R, Python)

 


• Ability to coordinate data needs across teams and translate technical information into plain language

 


• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and reporting cycles

 


• Experience supporting grant reporting, compliance, or federal data submissions

 


• Ability to work collaboratively on complex, multi-step processes and perform effectively under tight timeline


 

The Department of Human Services is a place for people passionate about serving others and changing lives for the better. We care for Arkansans of all ages and ensure places like child care centers and nursing homes are safe. We are the safety net for the most vulnerable Arkansans. Whether you answer the phones, take applications, protect children, or help care for residents or patients at one of our facilities, you make a difference by working at DHS. Plus, working for the State has great perks, including a pension, maternity leave, paid state holidays, and much more. At DHS, we take care of our employees so you can help care for others.

 

Position Information

Job Series: Program Operations – Data / Research

Classification: Data / Research Analyst

Class Code: PDA01P

Pay Grade: SGS07

Salary Range: $57,351 – $84,879

Job Summary

The Data / Research Analyst is responsible for gathering, cleaning, analyzing, and interpreting large datasets to generate actionable insights that drive strategic decision-making throughout the organization. This role bridges the gap between raw data and meaningful business outcomes, ensuring data integrity while applying statistical and analytical techniques. The ideal candidate leverages advanced analytical tools and methodologies to uncover trends, identify opportunities, and support research initiatives that influence product development, market strategies, and operational efficiency.

Primary Responsibilities

Identify and source both internal and external datasets relevant to business objectives. Develop protocols for data acquisition, cleaning, and validation to maintain high data quality and consistency. Use statistical tools and programming languages (such as Python, R, or Structured Query Language) to analyze datasets and identify significant trends, correlations, and anomalies. Conduct exploratory data analysis, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis to model relationships and predict future outcomes. Synthesize complex data findings into clear, concise reports and dashboards using data visualization tools like Tableau, Power Business Intelligence, or similar software. Present findings in a manner that supports informed decision-making and strategic planning. Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including marketing, product development, and operations—to define research objectives and methodologies. Provide consultative support for strategic projects by integrating data insights into business recommendations. Stay current with the latest trends and best practices in data analysis, machine learning, and statistical methodologies. Recommend and implement process improvements, ensuring that research practices evolve with the agency’s needs. Ensure all research activities comply with data governance policies and industry regulations. Maintain thorough documentation of methodologies, data sources, analytical processes, and outcomes.

Knowledge and Skills

Solid programming skills in languages such as Python, R, or Structured Query Language. Familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power Business Intelligence) and statistical analysis software. Strong aptitude for quantitative analysis and identifying actionable insights from complex datasets. Ability to approach problems methodically and use data-driven reasoning to support solutions. Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively share technical insights with non-technical personnel. Proven ability to translate complex data findings into clear and persuasive narratives. Meticulous in verifying and validating data to ensure accuracy and reliability. A critical thinking mindset that questions assumptions and consistently seeks improvement. Ability to work well within multi-disciplinary teams and adapt to evolving project requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Economics, Mathematics, or a related field.

Minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible experience in data analysis, research, or quantitative analysis.

Experience working with statistical software, data visualization tools, and database management systems is highly advantageous.

Satisfaction of the minimum qualifications, including years of experience and service, does not entitle employees to automatic progression within the job series. Promotion to the next classification level is at the discretion of the department and the Office of Personnel Management, taking into consideration the employee’s demonstrated skills, competencies, performance, workload responsibilities, and organizational needs.

Licensure/Certifications

N/A OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.