Human Services Data Scientist - Associate

Full Job Description

This position is based at the King County Medical Examiner’s Office (KCMEO), part of the Prevention Division of Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC). KCMEO is responsible for investigating sudden, unexpected, and unnatural deaths in King County, Washington. Serving a diverse population of over 2.3 million residents, KCMEO investigates 3,000 to 4,000 deaths every year. A dedicated team of medicolegal death investigators operates 24/7 to respond to death reports, conduct scene investigations, collect evidence, and transport decedents to the KCMEO morgue. Forensic pathologists, supported by autopsy technicians, perform post-mortem examinations and review medical histories and test results to determine cause and manner of death. The office includes a Real-Time Fatal Drug Overdose Surveillance team that conducts preliminary screening of drug evidence and postmortem samples, monitors fatal overdose trends, and coordinates a statewide network to share timely overdose data with partner agencies. KCMEO has been accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) since 1978. It is affiliated with the University of Washington and located on the campus of the regional trauma center. The office also hosts one of the few forensic pathology training programs in the country.

The Associate Human Services Data Scientist (Short-Term Temporary) will support forensic epidemiology surveillance and public health informatics automation at the King County Medical Examiner’s Office (KCMEO). Working closely with the Human Services Data Scientist, this role helps ensure timely and accurate death reporting to public health systems, prevention partners, and the general public. This position involves hands-on technical work, including scripting and application development using SQL, R, VB.NET, Python, and JavaScript. Data visualization platforms like Power BI and Tableau will be used regularly to support reporting and analysis. Strong communication skills and professional collaboration are essential to ensure that data products and tools meet user needs and align with the mission of KCMEO. Ideal candidates will bring a solid foundation in data science and engineering, a commitment to public service within a medical examiner’s office, and a passion for applying technical expertise to improve public health outcomes.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice:

Named after Dr.

Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world.

It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities.

With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups.

Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Requirements

• Assist in the maintenance development of medical examiner data automation tools, including web-based and desktop applications used for toxicology report digitization, autopsy report abstraction, cross-system data transfer, multi-source data review, natural language processing, and statistical analysis.

Under the supervision of the Human Services Data Scientist, adapt KCMEO’s data automation tools to support implementation by medical examiners, coroners, and public health agencies nationwide.

Provide technical assistance and end-user training to ensure successful integration and usability across diverse operational environments.

• Write SQL queries and develop R or Python scripts to prepare data for internal analysis and external data requests.
• Perform data quality audits and cleaning to ensure completeness, accuracy and readiness for analysis and reporting.
• Support the maintenance and updating of data dashboards using Tableau and Microsoft Power BI.
• Troubleshoot FHIR API communication issues between KCMEO’s case management system and Washington State’s vital records system, as needed.
• Draft reports and presentation materials to communicate project progress and findings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with both technical team members and non-technical end users to identify opportunities for improving data workflows, automation processes, and analytical tools.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the mission of KCMEO and public health initiatives

Qualifications

Required:

• Demonstrated proficiency in at least one programming language, such as R, SQL, Python, VB.NET, JavaScript, or SAS.
• Foundational capability and interest in full-stack development, including user interface design, data querying, and data visualization.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in data science, software engineering, public health informatics, information technology, computer science, epidemiology, public health, or a related field.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with individuals from diverse educational and professional backgrounds.
• Demonstrated public service mindset, with respect and empathy for all communities in King County, including those from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Strong work ethics, including adherence to schedules, timely delivery of work products, and commitment to data privacy and professional integrity in all KCMEO activities.
• Resilience to work in the context of a medical examiner’s office, with regular information and sensory exposure related to deaths, forensic investigations, and postmortem examinations.
• Willingness to learn new skills and adopt new tools as project needs evolve.
• Availability to work 16-19 hours per week during typical business hours.

Desired:

• Prior experience developing and deploying informatics tools for data processing in public health or medicolegal death investigation settings.
• Demonstrated success in applying Natural Language Processing (NLP), Machine Learning (ML), or Generative AI tools in operational workflows, while maintaining strict data confidentiality.
• Proficiency in constructing and troubleshooting complex, multi-step scripts for data transformation, automation, and analysis.
• Strong interest in a career in public health informatics or forensic epidemiology, with a clear passion for using data science to improve public health systems and outcomes.
• Proven stewardship in public health data work, including ethical handling of sensitive information and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ability to proactively engage in projects, ask thoughtful questions, identify potential issues, and offer constructive solutions.
• Demonstrated growth mindset, including the ability to reflect on and learn from both mistakes and successes.

Additional Information

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce.

To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity.

Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards.

We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer:

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply:

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)

Please note: Cover letters, resumes, and additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.

When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description.

This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.

• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Work Schedule:

This is a part-time position. The selected candidate will work 16 to 19 hours per week and will have flexibility to schedule the hours anytime Monday through Friday, between 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, based on project needs and availability.

Work Location:

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office located at the second floor of Harborview Medical Center. Address is 908 Jefferson St., Seattle WA 98104.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Union Membership:

This position is represented by Local 21.

Contact:

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Sarah Dunkinson (sdunkinson@kingcounty.gov).