Statistical Analyst I

About the Organization

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) works to improve health outcomes and protect the places where Coloradans live, work, learn, and play. The agency follows a “Colorado for All” approach and aims to ensure that people of all backgrounds and identities have fair access to opportunity and services. It actively encourages applicants from diverse communities to apply.

Important Job Terms

This role is term-limited, and funding is not guaranteed beyond 06/30/2023. The selected employee must be prepared to resign on that date or sooner if funding ends first. The position is open only to current Colorado residents at the time of application. If hired, the employee must establish and maintain Colorado residency.

Why Work Here

• Free parking and access to RTD bus routes
• Flexible work arrangements
• Retirement options through PERA, plus medical and dental coverage
• Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, with optional 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays each year and generous personal leave
• Tuition support
• Wellness programs
• Professional learning across many subject areas
• Opportunities to grow within the state system
• Some positions may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program

About the Work Unit

The Cannabis and Natural Medicines Health Monitoring section tracks data trends, reviews medical literature related to use and health impacts, and investigates adverse health event reports. This unit sits within the Cannabis and Natural Medicine Sciences Program in the State Public Health Laboratory.

Role Purpose

This position supports the section’s statutory responsibilities by helping collect, clean, analyze, and report data related to cannabis and natural medicine use and health effects in Colorado.

What You Will Do

• Gather data from a range of internal and external sources, including state and federal agencies, to support surveillance goals.
• Draft precise data requests for raw files as directed by each program or agency.
• Review data sources in detail to understand available variables, collection methods, and any limitations affecting use or interpretation.
• Prepare datasets by cleaning, structuring, and formatting them for analysis.
• Make sure data handling follows all sharing agreements and applicable federal, state, and department rules.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with agency contacts and other data owners.
• Apply statistical methods and software to analyze both existing and newly acquired data.
• Assess data quality, type, scope, and volume to determine appropriate analytical approaches.
• Perform statistical work for agency reports and dashboards.
• Support senior analysts by validating code for new data sources and dashboards.
• Repeat standardized analyses according to SOPs to refresh existing dashboards.
• Interpret findings and prepare concise summaries for descriptive analysis and significance testing.
• Generate draft tables, charts, and graphs based on analysis results.
• Write preliminary summaries of findings for review.
• Help produce final statistical reports, including tables, graphics, background, methods, and cross-source comparisons.
• Package finalized datasets for use in reports and dashboards.
• Manage and fulfill data requests received by the section.
• Support the presentation of data in verbal, written, and visual formats.
• Look for new data sources that can strengthen the section’s surveillance work.
• Assist with coordinating the annual analysis schedule.
• Help organize internal and external timelines for data collection, sharing, cleaning, and analysis.
• Coordinate secure data transfers with partners for required reporting.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates may qualify through either work experience alone or a combination of education and relevant experience. Four years of qualifying experience are required in total.

Preferred Experience

• Master’s degree in public health, data science, or a closely related discipline
• At least two years of independent statistical analysis using SAS, R, and/or Python
• Ability to explain data clearly to audiences with different levels of technical understanding
• Experience working with health-related datasets
• Experience using Tableau or similar visualization tools
• Strong ability to manipulate, analyze, and present diverse datasets
• Sound critical thinking and problem-solving ability
• Ability to document data preparation and analytical steps carefully
• Experience with relational databases and SQL
• Familiarity with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office tools
• Strong focus on timeliness, accuracy, and completeness
• Excellent attention to detail
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team
• Strong verbal, written, and active listening skills
• Ability to adapt in a fast-changing environment
• Willingness to learn additional skills on the job

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment background screening is required
• Must be available to report immediately during emergencies such as a bioterrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak, or other all-hazards events
• Must also be available for activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), with immediate reporting required if activated
• Travel of up to two weeks per year is required for meetings and conferences, including out-of-state travel and solo travel
• This is a hybrid position

Application Requirements

• Completed State of Colorado application
• If qualifying through education, submit transcripts (unofficial accepted) or diploma with the application
• Veterans must attach a DD214 to the application

Selection Process

• Applications received by the closing date will be reviewed for minimum qualifications
• Candidates who meet the minimum requirements move forward in the process
• State hiring follows a merit-and-fitness comparative analysis process
• The comparative review may include a structured application review by subject matter experts against preferred qualifications
• Up to six top candidates will be invited to interview with the hiring manager

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations

The department is committed to equal employment opportunity and full inclusion. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law. Reasonable accommodation requests related to disability will be supported as part of the agency’s inclusion commitment.

Appeal Rights

Applicants removed from an employment list or excluded during the selection process may request review by the State Personnel Director. A written appeal must be submitted using the official appeal form within ten calendar days of receiving notice, and it must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email. Additional details are available in the Colorado Code of Regulations related to board rules and appeal procedures.

Additional Notes

CDPHE participates in E-Verify to confirm work eligibility for newly hired employees in the United States. The agency also notes that some positions may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.