Senior Survey Sampling Statistician

Position Description:

Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to improve well-being around the world. We collaborate closely with public- and private-sector partners to translate big questions into deep insights that improve programs, refine strategies, and enhance understanding. Our work yields actionable information to guide decisions in wide-ranging policy areas, from health, education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, disability, and international development. Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned. As an employee stock owner, you will experience financial benefits of Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) holdings that have increased in tandem with the company's growth and financial strength. You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength. Read more about our benefits here: https://www.mathematica.org/career-opportunities/benefits-at-a-glance

Mathematica is seeking a Survey Sampling Statistician to lead the design and execution of statistical sampling and estimation plans for a range of Human Services and Health studies in the areas of child development and welfare, nutrition, education, disability, health care, family support, employment, criminal justice, and related topics. Our clients include government agencies at the federal, state, and local level as well as private philanthropic and nonprofit clients. Some examples of recent projects include:

• Assessing the quality of early childhood education through staff and family interviews, and classroom and home observations
• Leading a nationally representative study of providers and children that participate in the CACFP to examine outcomes measuring provider wellness policies and practices, nutritional quality, and cost of producing CACFP meals and snacks, plate waste, and children's dietary intakes
• Designing and implementing a nationally representative survey of Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries, including those who engage in substantial work
• Conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses to determine the effectiveness of interventions, programs, policies, and practices across a range of populations and policy areas
• Improving child welfare outcomes for children and families using modeling techniques such as predictive analytics
• Evaluating teacher training and professional development, literacy and STEM curriculum, school choice, and school improvement programs
• Providing federal staff with support to conduct research and analysis of child nutrition program data, annual surveys of state agencies and school food authorities, and secondary analysis of state administrative data to monitor child nutrition programs
• Evaluating the impact of child nutrition programs on the diet quality and health outcomes of program participants and assessing the costs of meeting existing nutrition standards for schools participating in NSLP and SBP
• Assessing the implementation, impacts, costs, and benefits of child support cooperation requirements in SNAP designed to increase participation in the child support system, increase the income of families with low income, and reduce the need for public assistance.
• Creating and updating microsimulation models to conduct simulations of the effects of potential policy changes on SNAP eligibility and participation.

The Survey Sampling Statistician will join our large, interdisciplinary staff with backgrounds in public policy, sociology, economics, social work, psychology, and data science in the Human Services unit. The statistician will contribute to continuing growth in the unit and company by designing studies and leading sampling and estimation activities, directing projects, identifying and obtaining new opportunities, designing and leading analyses and evaluation activities, and mentoring staff.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute sampling and weighting plans for various surveys ranging from large national studies to smaller studies targeting specific populations
• Write reports and prepare presentations of statistical and technical methods and findings
• Actively participate in business development, bringing creative ideas to technical approaches, calculating precision and power for various designs, and writing associated sections of proposals
• Apply a wide array of statistical methods and analytic techniques in support of survey, evaluation, and research activities
• Present findings to policy, methodological, and researcher audiences and publish in professional journals
• Communicate with team members, clients, and external experts on design and technical issues
• Lead and mentor other statisticians working across the company
• Provide thought leadership in Human Services areas through communications, publications, and conferences in professional, practitioner, and research settings
• Present findings and develop innovative approaches to disseminating information to policy, practitioner, and researcher and statistician audiences

Position Requirements:

• Ph.D. in statistics, biostatistics, mathematics, survey methodology, or quantitative social science and three to five years of relevant work experience or M.S. in same disciplines with five to seven years of relevant work experience
• Experience in survey sample design is essential
• Experience in weighting, variance estimation for complex sample survey data, imputation, and survey methodology
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including and ability to translate technical concepts into non-technical language suitable for program practitioners, policymakers, state and federal agency staff, and program funders
• Experience with statistical programming in R, Stata, or SAS
• Preferred experience with survey paradata, total survey error, adaptive survey design, or data disclosure avoidance
• Preferred experience in multivariate modeling, experimental designs, propensity score matching and weighting, nonprobability samples and data calibration, and data linkage

Mathematica offers a strong benefits package, which includes a profit-sharing 401(k) plan, health, dental, disability, and life insurance plans, comprehensive paid time off, and tuition benefits. Training and professional development are also provided.

We take pride in our employees and in their commitment to excellence. We encourage staff to collaborate in developing creative solutions to difficult problems and to share the responsibility and enjoyment of carrying out complex projects. This collegial spirit has helped us earn our reputation for innovative and high-quality work. As a winner of the 'Excellence in Diversity Award,' we know that building an inclusive culture based on the diverse strengths of employees from different backgrounds is key to our success.

One of Mathematica's core values is a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our research is more robust because it is informed by a variety of diverse perspectives, and our mission to improve societal well-being is strengthened by a greater understanding of issues and challenges facing the populations we serve. Mathematica's ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion is woven into our everyday actions, policies, and practices-including decisions regarding recruitment, training, compensation, and promotion. We are dedicated to maintaining a work environment in which everyone is treated with respect and dignity. We offer Employee Resources Groups on a variety of topics, local diversity and inclusion activities in each office, and a Diversity council.

A cover letter, CV, and writing sample on a methodological or policy-related topic for a relevant area that demonstrates analysis skills (published report or brief, a meeting design or summary, or a tool or resource for practitioners) must be submitted at the time of application via our online application system. If chosen for an interview, the candidate should be prepared to make a presentation on the interview day.

This position offers an anticipated annual base salary of $115,000 - $155,000. This position will be eligible for a discretionary bonus based on company and individual performance.

Available locations: Cambridge, MA; Chicago, IL; Princeton, NJ; Washington, DC; Remote

Although Mathematica does not require vaccination from COVID-19 as a condition of employment, various projects or agencies may require documentation of vaccination (or an approved exception/accommodation).

Various federal agencies with whom we contract require that staff successfully undergo a background investigation or security clearance as a condition of working on the project. If you are assigned to such a project, you will be required to obtain the requisite security clearance.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.