Statistical Analyst I

Role Overview

This opening is with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and supports the Cannabis and Natural Medicines Health Monitoring section within the State Public Health Laboratory. The team tracks data trends, reviews scientific literature, and investigates reported adverse health events connected to cannabis and natural medicine use in Colorado.

The position exists to help the section meet its statutory duties for collecting and analyzing data related to cannabis and natural medicine use and associated health outcomes. This is a term-limited role, and funding is not guaranteed beyond 06/30/2023. The selected candidate must be prepared to resign on that date or when funding ends, whichever happens first.

Organization Mission and Values

CDPHE describes its work through the Colorado for All philosophy, focused on building a state where everyone has the chance to succeed. The department emphasizes equitable service delivery, cultural responsiveness, and inclusive employment practices. It encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds and supports equal opportunity for all qualified candidates.

What You Will Handle

The role combines data acquisition, statistical analysis, reporting, and coordination. You will work with multiple internal and external data sources, apply statistical methods and software to analyze those datasets, prepare tables and visuals, and help package finalized information for dashboards and reports. The position also involves scheduling data requests and analyses, supporting secure data transfers, and coordinating with agency partners.

Key Duties

• Gather information from a range of sources, including state and federal partners, to support surveillance objectives.
• Draft precise requests for raw data as directed by individual programs or agencies.
• Review each data source in detail, including its variables, collection tools, and any limits on interpretation or use.
• Clean, structure, and format datasets so they are ready for analysis.
• Make sure all stored and shared data follows data-sharing agreements and relevant federal, state, and departmental rules.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with contacts who manage the data sources used by the section.
• Apply statistical techniques and software to data from both new and established sources.
• Assess data quality, type, scope, and content to determine which statistical methods are appropriate.
• Perform analyses that support reports and dashboards produced by different agencies.
• Help validate code for new datasets and dashboard products.
• Repeat standardized analyses according to SOPs to keep existing dashboards current.
• Interpret findings and summarize results for descriptive reporting and significance checks.
• Create preliminary tables and charts based on analysis results.
• Prepare draft written summaries of analytical findings.
• Support production of formal statistical reports, including tables, charts, background context, methods, and comparisons across data sources.
• Package finalized datasets for use in reports and dashboards.
• Manage requests for data received by the section.
• Help present data and findings in verbal, written, and visual formats.
• Look for potential new data sources that could strengthen surveillance work.
• Assist with building the section’s annual analysis calendar.
• Coordinate internal and external request timelines so collection and sharing happen on time.
• Support planning for annual cleaning, preparation, and analysis activities.
• Coordinate secure transfer of data with partner agencies for required reporting.

Residency and Employment Conditions

This job is available to current Colorado residents and, at the time of application submission, to non-current residents as well. If selected, the employee must establish Colorado residency. Candidates should also be ready for background screening, emergency response duties, Continuity of Operations Plan activation, and travel of up to two weeks per year, both within and outside the state.

The work environment includes a hybrid arrangement, even though the role is based in Denver, Colorado.

Minimum Experience and Education

Candidates may qualify through work experience alone or through a mix of education and experience totaling four years. Relevant experience includes public health statistical analysis, epidemiological research, disease surveillance, or closely related work. Experience with data tools such as SQL, SAS, R, or Tableau is required.

Acceptable related study includes Statistics, Mathematics, Biostatistics, Data Science, Public Health, Epidemiology, or a closely related field.

Preferred Background

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Data Science, or a related discipline.
• At least two years of independent statistical analysis using SAS, R, and/or Python.
• Ability to explain complex data to audiences with different levels of expertise.
• Background working with health-related data.
• Experience using Tableau or similar visualization tools.
• Strong ability to manipulate, analyze, and visualize varied datasets.
• Sound critical-thinking and problem-solving ability.
• Experience documenting data-processing and analysis steps.
• Familiarity with relational databases and SQL.
• Comfort using Google Workspace and Microsoft Suite tools.
• High standards for timeliness, accuracy, and completeness.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong verbal, written, and listening communication skills.
• Comfort working in a fast-changing priority environment.
• Willingness to learn new skills on the job.

Working Conditions and Requirements

• Passing a pre-employment background check is required.
• The employee must be available for emergency deployment, including events such as bioterrorism, chemical incidents, disease outbreaks, or other all-hazards situations.
• The employee must also be available when the Continuity of Operations Plan is activated and be able to report immediately to the regular or alternate work location.
• Travel of up to two weeks per year may be required for meetings and conferences.
• The role includes a hybrid work arrangement.

Application Materials

• A completed State of Colorado application is required.
• If education is being used to meet qualifications, unofficial transcripts or a diploma must be attached.
• Veterans must include a DD214 with the application.

Selection Process

Applications will first be reviewed to confirm minimum qualifications. Qualified candidates move forward into a merit-based comparative analysis, which may include a structured review of application materials by subject matter experts against the preferred qualifications. From there, a top group of up to six candidates may be invited to interview.

Accessibility and Equal Opportunity

The State of Colorado states that it provides accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and maintains an employment process grounded in equal opportunity and inclusive hiring practices. The agency does not discriminate on protected characteristics and supports reasonable accommodation requests during the application and hiring process.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Some positions in the department may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Appeal Rights

Applicants removed from consideration or from an employment list may request review by the State Personnel Director. Any appeal must be submitted in writing using the official appeal form and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email within ten calendar days of receiving notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

E-Verify

CDPHE uses E-Verify to confirm work eligibility for newly hired employees in the United States.

Additional Benefits

• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Retirement coverage through PERA options, along with medical and dental plans.
• Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans.
• Paid life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Eleven paid holidays each year, plus generous personal leave.
• Tuition assistance.
• Wellness programs.
• Professional development across many subject areas.
• Career growth opportunities across the state system.

Term-Limited Notice

This job is time-limited and funding cannot be assured beyond 06/30/2023. The selected employee must be willing and able to resign on that date or when funding ends, whichever comes first.