H-1B Visa Data Science Specialist Jobs
H-1B visa jobs for Data Science Specialist roles qualify as specialty occupations, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in statistics, computer science, mathematics, or a directly related field. Sponsoring employers file a Labor Condition Application with DOL and an I-129 petition with USCIS, covering up to three years with extensions to six.
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DSHS FTAA – Data Science & Informatics Specialist 1
Join our team as a research-focused statistical programmer and use your data analyst skills to support studies that improve social and health services for more than 2.6 million DSHS clients. The Research and Data Analysis (RDA) Division within the Finance, Technology, and Analytics Administration (FTAA) uses linked administrative data to evaluate programs, examine service use and outcomes, and inform policy and operational decisions.
In this role, you’ll use SAS and SQL to extract, link, clean, validate, and analyze large person-level administrative datasets, as well as primary data collected using REDCap. Working alongside researchers, program experts, and partner agencies, you’ll create reproducible analytic files, statistical tabulations, measures, and reports that support applied research and program evaluation.
Some of what you'll do:
- Write, test, document, and maintain SAS programs and SQL queries for research, evaluation, and program performance projects.
- Extract, link, clean, transform, and manage large person-level administrative datasets from multiple state systems, including service, eligibility, claims, encounter, cost, and outcome data, with an emphasis on substance use and mental health conditions and health-related social needs.
- Develop reproducible analytic datasets, cohorts, variables, measures, and data documentation using sound research data-management practices.
- Conduct descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, data tabulations, quality assurance, and validation to support applied research and program evaluation.
- Assess data completeness, consistency, and fitness for use; investigate anomalies and resolve data-quality issues with source-system and program experts.
- Translate research questions and study specifications into clear analytic approaches, programming logic, and accurate results.
- Prepare tables, reports, visualizations, technical documentation, and presentations that communicate methods, limitations, and findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
Apply confidentiality, privacy, security, and data-sharing requirements when working with sensitive administrative data, including HIPAA and FERPA requirements.
Desired skills, knowledge, and abilities:
- Proficiency as a statistical programming for data extraction, manipulation, linkage, validation, analysis, and reporting; experience with SAS and knowledge of DATA steps, procedures, macros, and reusable code is highly valued.
- Experience using SQL to query and combine data from relational databases.
- Experience working with large, complex administrative records, such as eligibility, enrollment, claims, encounters, services, costs, transactions, or program outcomes. Experience using Medicaid or behavioral health related claims data is ideal.
- Knowledge of applied research and program evaluation methods, including cohort construction, measure development, descriptive statistics, statistical testing, and interpretation of results.
- Strong data-quality and documentation practices, including code review, validation, version control concepts, metadata, data dictionaries, and reproducible workflows.
- Familiarity with primary data collection tools, such as REDCap, and applied knowledge with managing user access and privileges and providing support and technical assistance to end-users.
- Ability to understand how research questions translate into analytic specifications and be able to explain methods, assumptions, limitations, and findings from analytic datasets with other research staff clearly.
- Experience with R, Python, Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar tools is helpful but does not replace the need for strong SAS programming skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with researchers, program staff, database professionals, and external partners while protecting confidential data.
Who should apply?
We encourage applications from statistical programmers, data analysts, research analysts, and other professionals who have:
- A bachelor’s degree in statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, economics, public policy, sociology, public health, data science, mathematics, computer science, informatics, or another quantitative or research-focused field and one (1) year of experience performing data analysis, statistical programming, or applied research.
OR
An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience totaling five (5) years.
Additional required experience:
In addition to the qualifications above, applicants must have at least one (1) year of experience in each of the following areas:
- Using SAS to manage, transform, validate, and analyze data.
- Working with large administrative datasets, such as social or health service records, eligibility or enrollment files, medical claims or encounters, transactions, costs, or other person-level program data.
- Supporting research, program evaluation, policy analysis, or performance measurement by preparing analytic datasets, statistical tabulations, measures, or reports.
- Documenting code, data sources, variable definitions, analytic decisions, and quality-assurance results so work can be reviewed and reproduced.
- Using REDCap, or other primary data collection tools, for data administration and survey design, as well as user management and providing technical assistance.
- Creating dashboards using Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar data visualization tools.
Using SQL or another query language to retrieve and join data is preferred.
Ready to start a rewarding career? Apply today!
Along with your application, please include:
- An updated resume
- A letter of interest
- Three professional references with contact information
Questions?
Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Ricky Luna at ricky.luna@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number #07396.
The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
Supplemental Information
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Description
DSHS FTAA – Data Science & Informatics Specialist 1
Join our team as a research-focused statistical programmer and use your data analyst skills to support studies that improve social and health services for more than 2.6 million DSHS clients. The Research and Data Analysis (RDA) Division within the Finance, Technology, and Analytics Administration (FTAA) uses linked administrative data to evaluate programs, examine service use and outcomes, and inform policy and operational decisions.
In this role, you’ll use SAS and SQL to extract, link, clean, validate, and analyze large person-level administrative datasets, as well as primary data collected using REDCap. Working alongside researchers, program experts, and partner agencies, you’ll create reproducible analytic files, statistical tabulations, measures, and reports that support applied research and program evaluation.
Some of what you'll do:
- Write, test, document, and maintain SAS programs and SQL queries for research, evaluation, and program performance projects.
- Extract, link, clean, transform, and manage large person-level administrative datasets from multiple state systems, including service, eligibility, claims, encounter, cost, and outcome data, with an emphasis on substance use and mental health conditions and health-related social needs.
- Develop reproducible analytic datasets, cohorts, variables, measures, and data documentation using sound research data-management practices.
- Conduct descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, data tabulations, quality assurance, and validation to support applied research and program evaluation.
- Assess data completeness, consistency, and fitness for use; investigate anomalies and resolve data-quality issues with source-system and program experts.
- Translate research questions and study specifications into clear analytic approaches, programming logic, and accurate results.
- Prepare tables, reports, visualizations, technical documentation, and presentations that communicate methods, limitations, and findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
Apply confidentiality, privacy, security, and data-sharing requirements when working with sensitive administrative data, including HIPAA and FERPA requirements.
Desired skills, knowledge, and abilities:
- Proficiency as a statistical programming for data extraction, manipulation, linkage, validation, analysis, and reporting; experience with SAS and knowledge of DATA steps, procedures, macros, and reusable code is highly valued.
- Experience using SQL to query and combine data from relational databases.
- Experience working with large, complex administrative records, such as eligibility, enrollment, claims, encounters, services, costs, transactions, or program outcomes. Experience using Medicaid or behavioral health related claims data is ideal.
- Knowledge of applied research and program evaluation methods, including cohort construction, measure development, descriptive statistics, statistical testing, and interpretation of results.
- Strong data-quality and documentation practices, including code review, validation, version control concepts, metadata, data dictionaries, and reproducible workflows.
- Familiarity with primary data collection tools, such as REDCap, and applied knowledge with managing user access and privileges and providing support and technical assistance to end-users.
- Ability to understand how research questions translate into analytic specifications and be able to explain methods, assumptions, limitations, and findings from analytic datasets with other research staff clearly.
- Experience with R, Python, Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar tools is helpful but does not replace the need for strong SAS programming skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with researchers, program staff, database professionals, and external partners while protecting confidential data.
Who should apply?
We encourage applications from statistical programmers, data analysts, research analysts, and other professionals who have:
- A bachelor’s degree in statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, economics, public policy, sociology, public health, data science, mathematics, computer science, informatics, or another quantitative or research-focused field and one (1) year of experience performing data analysis, statistical programming, or applied research.
OR
An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience totaling five (5) years.
Additional required experience:
In addition to the qualifications above, applicants must have at least one (1) year of experience in each of the following areas:
- Using SAS to manage, transform, validate, and analyze data.
- Working with large administrative datasets, such as social or health service records, eligibility or enrollment files, medical claims or encounters, transactions, costs, or other person-level program data.
- Supporting research, program evaluation, policy analysis, or performance measurement by preparing analytic datasets, statistical tabulations, measures, or reports.
- Documenting code, data sources, variable definitions, analytic decisions, and quality-assurance results so work can be reviewed and reproduced.
- Using REDCap, or other primary data collection tools, for data administration and survey design, as well as user management and providing technical assistance.
- Creating dashboards using Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar data visualization tools.
Using SQL or another query language to retrieve and join data is preferred.
Ready to start a rewarding career? Apply today!
Along with your application, please include:
- An updated resume
- A letter of interest
- Three professional references with contact information
Questions?
Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Ricky Luna at ricky.luna@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number #07396.
The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
Supplemental Information
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
See all H-1B Visa Data Science Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Data Science Specialist
Align your degree to your specialization
USCIS evaluates whether your degree field directly supports the Data Science Specialist duties in the petition. A degree in statistics, computer science, applied mathematics, or information systems carries the strongest alignment. A business or general IT degree may require a more detailed specialty occupation argument from your employer.
Verify prevailing wage before negotiating offers
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your SOC code and worksite location. Run your role and location through the OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer so you know the wage floor USCIS will scrutinize.
Find sponsors through Migrate Mate's verified employer data
Target employers with active H-1B visa LCA filing history for data science roles. Migrate Mate surfaces employers with verified DOL Labor Condition Application filings, letting you focus on companies that have already demonstrated willingness to sponsor rather than guessing from job postings.
Confirm each worksite gets its own LCA
If your Data Science Specialist role involves work at client sites, secondary offices, or remote locations not listed on the original LCA, your employer must file a separate certified LCA for each distinct worksite before you begin work there. Raise this with your employer's immigration counsel early.
Use O*NET to document specialty occupation duties
The O*NET profile for data science occupations lists degree-level tasks that support a specialty occupation finding. Cross-reference your job description against the O*NET task list and push your employer to reflect that language in the job duties section of the I-129 petition.
Account for the H-1B cap in your job search timeline
Most Data Science Specialist positions are with cap-subject employers, meaning your petition competes in the annual H-1B selection process. Because the selection rules have changed recently, confirm current timelines with USCIS and your employer's counsel before setting a start date.
H-1B Visa Data Science Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Data Science Specialist role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. Data Science Specialist positions typically qualify as specialty occupations because they require at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as statistics, computer science, applied mathematics, or data science. USCIS evaluates the specific job duties and degree requirements stated in the petition, so the job description must reflect degree-level analytical and modeling responsibilities throughout.
How do I find employers who actively sponsor H-1B visas for data science roles?
Search Migrate Mate to browse employers with verified DOL Labor Condition Application filings in data science occupations. LCA filings are public record and confirm that an employer has already navigated the H-1B sponsorship process for roles in your field, which is a stronger signal than a job posting that simply lists H-1B sponsorship as a benefit.
What happens to my H-1B status if I move to a different office location after my petition is approved?
Your employer must file a new certified LCA for any worksite not covered by the original petition before you begin working there. For short-term placements at client or project sites, DOL short-term placement rules may apply, but those are time-limited. Failing to maintain a valid LCA for each worksite is a compliance violation that can jeopardize your status.
Can I work as a Data Science Specialist contractor or consultant on an H-1B?
Yes, but the sponsoring employer must be your actual employer of record, not the end client. USCIS scrutinizes consulting arrangements closely for data science roles and will look for evidence that the petitioning employer controls your day-to-day work. Your petition must include a detailed itinerary of work, and each client worksite requires its own certified LCA from your employer.
How long does H-1B status last for a Data Science Specialist position?
USCIS initially grants H-1B status for up to three years, with the option to extend for another three years, reaching a six-year maximum under standard rules. Extensions beyond six years are possible if you have an approved I-140 immigrant petition or a PERM labor certification that has been pending for at least 365 days, allowing you to remain in H-1B status while your green card case progresses.