State of Maryland

A Research Statistician I is the entry level of statistical research work requiring possession of a Master’s degree and involves participation in the collection and analysis of data requiring the application of more advanced statistical techniques, independent interpretation of findings and responsibility for final reports.  Employees in this classification may have full responsibility for the design and completion of larger projects.  Employees in this classification, before beginning independent work on assigned projects, are expected to submit for review protocols which include a statement of objectives, review of related literature if appropriate, and proposed methodology and final reports from such projects are also subject to review and evaluation.  Employees in this classification, as assigned, participate as a member or consultant to teams, which may be interdisciplinary, established to identify or study problem areas, set priorities and plan needed research or program evaluation projects.  Employees in this classification, as they progress in experience, may be assigned to work independently with program directors or other administrative personnel in assessing needs for descriptive and/or evaluative data and to plan, execute and present required data analyses.  Employees in this classification may also be assigned primary responsibility for the direction of specified ongoing statistical programs, sub-programs or small statistical units.  Employees in this classification may be required to advise, guide and assistant statisticians.

Employees in this classification receives close supervision, guidance and assignments from higher-level research personnel or from program directors who review the work while it is in progress and upon completion.  Work effectiveness is evaluated through conferences and reports.

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 Statistician I and Research Statistician II are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Research Statistician I performs duties under close supervision while and the Research Statistician II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Develops methods and procedures for collection and evaluation of data for routine and special reports and research studies;

Plans and organizes required procedures for coding, tabulating, and analyzing data;

Designs studies of limited scope;

Prepares research protocols;

Directs small studies, interprets findings and prepares final written reports;

Performs and supervises the performance of complex data analysis;

Participates in the design of more complex studies or projects;

Directs, supervises and reviews the work of assistant statisticians engaged in collection, compilation and analysis of data;

Confers with program directors and staff in order to assess their requirements for statistical information;

Plans and organizes needed routine or special reports and projects;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge and understanding of the principles for designing and executing statistical research studies in public health, health or welfare related fields or public administration;

Knowledge of data collection instruments and procedures including sampling techniques and assessments of accuracy of reporting and validity and reliability of measurements;

Knowledge of methods of data analysis including the use of standard descriptive and inferential statistical techniques;

Knowledge of preparing protocols for assigned studies or projects;

Ability to design, organize and execute studies of limited scope;

Ability to direct, guide and supervise subordinate employees in procedures related to data collection and analysis;

Ability to evaluate statistical findings, draw appropriate conclusions and recommendations as indicated;

Ability to prepare final reports;

Ability to direct and administer small ongoing statistical programs, projects or units to which employee is assigned;

Ability to work with professionals in program and administrative areas in order to assess their requirements for routine statistical tabulations and reports;

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, colleagues, supervisors, and other suppliers and users of data.

Education:    A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of nine credit hours, or the equivalent graduate credit hours in research methodology, theoretical or applied statistics or measurement theory.

Experience: None.

Note: 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 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 Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as 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.

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.