Chief Data Officer

State of Washington•Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is committed to improving public safety by positively changing lives. We are seeking a visionary and strategic leader to serve as the Chief Data Officer, who will be responsible for advancing the department’s enterprise data strategy and ensuring that research, analytics, and evaluation efforts drive meaningful outcomes for the individuals and communities we serve. In this role, you will provide executive leadership for the department’s data management, research, program evaluation, and analytics functions. You will oversee the development and execution of complex, scientifically rigorous research and analytical initiatives that inform programmatic, operational, and budgetary decisions across the agency. By establishing sound data governance practices and aligning analytical resources with agency priorities, you will help ensure that decisions are evidence-based and focused on improving outcomes for incarcerated individuals and those under community supervision. Serving as the department’s Chief Data Officer, you will act as the principal strategist and subject matter expert on the management and utilization of DOC’s data assets. This position requires exceptional leadership, communication, and partnership skills to successfully guide enterprise data initiatives, develop innovative analytical approaches, and translate complex information into actionable insights for executive leaders and stakeholders. You will lead all phases of research and evaluation activities, including methodology development, data architecture and requirements, analysis, reporting, and the communication of findings to diverse audiences. As a trusted advisor and representative of the agency, you will engage with the Office of the Governor, the Office of Financial Management, the Legislature, agency and community partners, and other external stakeholders on matters related to data strategy, research, and performance improvement. Through the responsible stewardship of public resources and a commitment to evidence-based decision making, you will help shape policies and practices that enhance public safety and advance DOC’s mission. Reporting directly to the Assistant Secretary of Business, Enterprise, and Strategic Transformation (BEST), this position serves as a member of both the Program Leadership Team and the Extended Leadership Team, providing executive-level leadership and contributing to the department’s strategic direction and long-term success.

Requirements

A Ph.D. in Social, Criminal Justice, or Behavioral Sciences, or a related field from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) AND Two (2) years of experience conducting policy-relevant data analysis in a public sector setting OR A Master's degree in Social, Criminal Justice or Behavioral Sciences, or a related field from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) AND Four (4) years of experience conducting policy-relevant data analyses in a public sector setting. OR A High School Diploma or GED AND Ten (10) years of experience conducting policy – relevant data analysis in a public sector setting.
Two (2) years of experience supervising a research/analytics team
Advanced experience in SAS, SPSS, or other advanced statistical analysis software
Advanced training in multi-variate statistical methods and quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
Ability to define goals, analyze information, formulate logical and objective conclusions, recognize alternatives, and make recommendations to provide reliable professionally-sound, scientifically valid advice and consultation to senior level leadership to help guide program, policy, and budget decisions
Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication, and public speaking skills.
Ability to present complex ideas and information to a variety of internal and external audiences - both in written and presentation format - using plain talk principles
Ability to supervise, coach, and mentor staff members
Fosters an environment of supported learning
Ability to plan, lead, organize, and control the work performed by RDA
Assuring appropriate and optimum use of RDA’s resources and enhance the effectiveness of staff through professional development opportunities
Ability to work directly and collaboratively with the Department Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Assistant Secretaries, and other senior executives, external stakeholders, and internal staff at all levels across the Department on research, program evaluation, data analysis, and data management activities
Demonstrated critical and applied quantitative and qualitative analytical skills
Able to break down, sort, and synthesize information, identify key messages and central themes, form accurate conclusions about the meaning of the information, display through clear charts and graphics, and develop appropriate action steps and recommendations

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. or Master’s degree in social, Criminal Justice or Behavioral Science or related field recognized by the Dept. of Education and Council of Higher Education (CHEA)
Strong organizational and project management skills
Ability to create systemic and long-term efficiencies through the application of LEAN principles

Responsibilities

Working with executive leadership to establish the vision for managing data as a business asset – to maximize the return on data assets
Establishing the strategic direction for building the department’s data management program and optimizing how the business uses data
Defining and oversight of how the department prioritizes, maintains, and applies data and information to support the strategic plan and business processes
Determining the department’s data governance strategy, including overseeing data policies, data consistency, procedures, standards, and roles
Developing processes for how the agency prioritizes, maintains, and presents data and information to measure performance
Identifying new kinds, types and sources of data to enable business innovation throughout the organization
Collaborating with the Chief Information Officer to understand the information technology infrastructure and the investments needed to address business needs, how IT and RDA can partner to solve business problems, and to align strategies for achieving long-term goals
Collaborating with the Chief Information Security Officer to create policies and controls for the appropriate protection of information assets
Ensuring the department is adhering to external regulations on data utilization, reporting, and distribution
Allocating resources to work that align with DOC's strategic plan, assist with decision making, and result in improved outcomes
Defining scope, goals, and objectives for complex research studies, with prioritization to internally conduct research and evaluation studies with substantial impact to DOC
Ensuring all research and evaluation projects (internal and external, large and small-scale) are approved by the Washington State Institutional Review Board (WSIRB)
Ensuring all projects involving research and/or data sharing involve a legal contract to protect DOC interests
Ensures RDA produces valid, rigorous, professionally-sound, policy-relevant, information in simple, digestible formats
Managing projects to ensure timely, on-budget completion of quality products that directly inform decisions
Evaluating and recommending research and grants partnerships based on alignment with DOC priorities, the strength, rigor, and policy/practice impact of the proposal, expertise of the applicant, and available resources
Providing technical advice and consultation to members of the PLT, ELT, and other key stakeholders requiring correctional data to inform decisions
Providing consultation and senior-level analytical support to DOC's implementation of Results Washington and Results DOC with valid, consistent, and timely data