Research Specialist

About the role

The Texas Civil Commitment Office (TCCO) is a small state agency with a critical public safety mission—providing intensive supervision and treatment to civilly committed sexually violent predators. TCCO is a separate state agency administratively attached to the Health and Human Services Commission. TCCO seeks dedicated professionals passionate about public safety, supervision, and treatment.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains research data sets, documents data structure and definitions, develops audit and monitoring tools utilizing Microsoft Excel advanced functions as well as entering data into existing tools and gathering, compiling and organizing data to produce reports pertaining to the Texas Civil Commitment Office (TCCO) program and functions.
• Completes fiscal year conversion of audit and monitoring tools to transfer year-end data into tools for the new fiscal year.
• Maintains a position desk reference manual of processes for job duties, including; report preparation, data analysis, data sources, data structure and definitions, and other duties as assigned.
• Conducts both long- and short-term studies. Plans and conducts research on the agency’s programs, including current and historical state policies and regulations and the policies and regulations related to similar programs in other jurisdictions.
• Interacts with users, subject matter experts, executive management, and/or outside entities in defining problems, understanding the agency’s programs, and gathering information for reporting.
• Explores opportunities for process automation to maximize efficiency.

Requirements

• Experience in data collection and analysis utilizing Microsoft Excel.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in business or public administration, government or political science, statistical analysis, research methodology, mathematics, or management information systems is generally preferred.

Qualifications

Knowledge of running queries, report writing, and presenting findings. Knowledge of statistical concepts and methods and their application to research analysis; of measurement, testing, and evaluation; and of research methods, principles, techniques, and philosophies. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills to include compiling multiple datasets, utilizing trend forecasting, creating models and reports, conditional formatting and developing forms. Skill in creating written reports regarding findings and tailoring reports to a variety of audiences. Skill in gathering and analyzing data to inform executive management decision-making. Skill in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, in the use of a computer and applicable software, and in using statistical tools and programs. Skill in attention to detail and self-editing to produce quality data and written reports. Ability to work independently and manage multiple research projects simultaneously. Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, interpret and analyze large data sets. Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate research projects; to evaluate research data; to ensure the development of measuring instruments with respect to reliability, relevance, and validity; to interpret and publish research findings; and to communicate effectively. Advanced skill in critical thinking and problem solving.

Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills to include compiling multiple datasets, utilizing trend forecasting, creating models and reports, conditional formatting and developing forms.
• Skill in creating written reports regarding findings and tailoring reports to a variety of audiences.
• Skill in gathering and analyzing data to inform executive management decision-making.
• Skill in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, in the use of a computer and applicable software, and in using statistical tools and programs.
• Skill in attention to detail and self-editing to produce quality data and written reports.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple research projects simultaneously.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, interpret and analyze large data sets.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate research projects; to evaluate research data; to ensure the development of measuring instruments with respect to reliability, relevance, and validity; to interpret and publish research findings; and to communicate effectively.
• Advanced skill in critical thinking and problem solving.

Benefits

TCCO offers a comprehensive benefits package to include paid time off, a defined benefit pension plan and 100% paid employee health insurance for eligible full-time employees.