State of Maryland

A Research Statistician IV is the highest level of independent, statistical research work requiring a doctoral degree.  Employees in this classification are is responsible for all assigned aspects of research programs; projects or other ongoing data-oriented operations.  Employees in this classification, with no previous employment in research, may receive preliminary assignments to one or more projects or programs directed by senior or more experienced colleagues for purposes of orientation and training.  Employees in this classification initiate and/or direct programs and projects and provide program directors and top administrators with needed vital statistics as well as statistical bases for planning, organizing and evaluating agency sponsored services; for describing the health status of the population; and for projecting future needs for health related services and manpower and facilities needed to deliver such services.  Employees in this classification are expected to maintain effective working relationships with agency colleagues, with subordinates, professionals from other agencies and/or private agencies, public officials and the general public.  Employees in this classification participate as a member or leader of intra-departmental, inter-departmental and other inter-disciplinary teams and committees and are available as consultants within the special areas of competence.  Employees in this classification may be asked to contribute to planning the policy making for the total agency in addition to the primary responsibilities. Employees in this classification supervise a sizable staff of lower-level Research Statisticians, nonprofessional statistician and support personnel.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision, direction and assignments from a division director or a designate. Work effectiveness is evaluated through conferences and written 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 IV is differentiated from the Research Statistician III in that the Research Statistician IV performs the highest level of independent, statistical research work and has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Research Statisticians while the Research Statistician III performs advanced, more complex research duties.

Directs and supervises one or more administrative unit of the agency’s statistical section;

Assumes responsibility for overall direction and continuous evaluation of established and ongoing systems for data collection and analysis;

Initiates, designs, coordinates, and/or directs continuing programs of research within specified areas or functional specialties;

Initiates studies of the validity and reliability of data collected and develops procedures aimed at improving the quality of such data;

Consults with program administrators with respect to identifying data needed for program planning and evaluation;

Interprets the results of statistical studies to program heads and top level administrators;

Participates in assessing data needs for the total agency and in planning coordinated programs for data collection and analysis;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge and understanding, at the expert level of proficiency, of research methodology, principles and techniques of descriptive and inferential statistics, sampling theory and measurement theory and procedures of the principles for designing and executing statistical research studies in public health, health or welfare related fields or public administration;

Knowledge of program administration, analyses and evaluation;

Knowledge of relevant concepts from social, behavioral, economic and biological sciences;

Ability to design and direct research projects of considerable scope and complexity;

Ability to administer statistical divisions including selection; orientation, training and supervision of sizeable numbers of lower-level Research Statisticians and nonprofessional employees;

Ability to analyze agency programs in order to assess management information requirements and design needed systems and projects for producing descriptive, evaluative and planning data;

Ability to interpret and present statistical findings clearly and concisely, to professional colleagues, administrators, program directors, public officials and the general public;

Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in all aspects of the work;

Ability to identify key problem areas within the field for investigation and to establish priorities for needed projects;

Ability to work cooperatively and responsively with interdisciplinary groups in planning, coordinating, and interpreting statistical projects;

Ability to function in a consultative capacity to other professional agency members.

Education:   A Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university including fifteen credit hours in research methodology, theoretical or applied statistics and measurement theory.

Experience: Three years of experience in statistical research after the possession of the Doctorate degree.

                                                              OR  

Education:   A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university including nine credit hours in research methodology, theoretical or applied statistics and measurement theory.

Experience: Six years of experience in statistical research after the possession of the Master’s degree.

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 and experience. 

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 not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.