State of Maryland

A Research Analyst is the full performance level of research work involving the collection and analysis of data requiring the application of advanced statistical techniques, and the independent interpretation of collected data.  Employees in this classification may have full responsibility for projects or reports of limited scope or may have partial responsibility for the completion of larger projects or reports.  Employees in this classification, when performing independently, are expected to determine, develop and evaluate the method and sources of collection and to organize, prepare and submit the report, conclusions and recommendations.  Employees in this classification, when participating in larger projects or reports, are expected to suggest and recommend methods, techniques, sources and procedures and assist in the formulation of conclusions and recommendations.  Employees in this classification have minimal contacts with the public. Employees in this classification do not supervise.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision and assignments from higher level research or statistical personnel or from a program chief who reviews the work in progress and upon completion.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Research Analyst Trainee and Research Analyst are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Research Analyst Trainee learns to perform duties under close supervision while the Research Analyst performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Assembles, collects and compiles basic statistical data from regularly scheduled reports, field visits, existing records or completed questionnaires;

Prepares questionnaires, worksheets, sampling methods, and reporting procedures;

Determines sources of information, and their reliability, and the method of study;

Codes and tabulates statistical data on various aspects of employment, training and manpower needs, labor market trends, unemployment claims and benefits, and general economic conditions;

Reviews and edits completed questionnaires for completeness and accuracy;

Interprets and analyzes collected data and determines percentages, medians, means, and frequency distributions;

Prepares both narrative and statistical reports of a complicated nature and supporting or illustrative material such as charts, tables and graphs;

May assign and coordinate the work of subordinate research and clerical personnel;  

May assist in the preparation of estimates, projections, conclusions and findings;

May assist in the preparation of suggestions and recommendations for future action based on the completed research project;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the elementary research and statistical methods, techniques and procedures, including graphical methods, measures of central tendency, dispersion correlation, elements of small sample theory, confidence intervals, and construction and analysis of frequency distributions;

Knowledge of the elementary advanced research and statistical methods, techniques and procedures, including probability, sampling and distribution theory, point and interval estimation, tests of hypothesis, analysis of variances and regression, correlation analysis, non-parametric methods, index numbers, measurement of long-term trends, cyclical and seasonal fluctuations; of current sources of statistical information and their reliability;

Ability to prepare clear and accurate narrative reports of findings;

Ability to prepare and present statistical data in tabular, chart and graphic form;

Ability to formulate and present sound conclusions and recommendations;

Ability to independently apply elementary and advanced statistical techniques and procedures;

Ability to direct and conduct the compilation, analysis and presentation of statistical data;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff members, departmental officials and the general public;

Ability to operate a calculator and/or adding machine.

Education:    A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university including or supplemented by three or more credit hours in statistics beyond the elementary statistics course.

Experience: One year of experience in statistical or research work which must have included the application of statistical techniques.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional one year of experience in statistical research work, including the application of elementary statistical techniques for the required credit hours in advanced statistics.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Statistician classifications or Statistician and Intelligence Officer specialty codes in the Statistics field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.