2F21
PAY RANGE: EP19
(Fiscal)
(Health and Human Services)
(Public Safety)
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is full performance level research and information management work conducting analytical studies for a law enforcement, correctional, public or behavioral health, human services, or revenue collecting department or agency. Employees in this class have responsibility for researching, collecting data and performing statistical analysis needed to monitor trends, patterns, and changes in revenue, populations, socioeconomic and demographic factors, technology and operating activities that impact quality and delivery of service to the community and clientele, or patterns and trends in tax and water collections and delinquencies. Work includes utilizing computer hardware and software for reporting purposes and management analysis. Responsibility for the design, implementation and maintenance of computer based management information systems necessary for the evaluation and analysis of ongoing programs or trends is an important aspect of the work. Employees assigned to the law enforcement agency have responsibility for performing analysis of specific crimes to project crime trends. Employees in the Public Safety Specialty Early Intervention System assignment are responsible for researching and evaluating risk management and other intervention data and conducting analysis for diverse stakeholders. Employees assigned to the Fiscal specialty have responsibility for data analyses related to economic development and tax policies or tracking revenue and performing analysis of fiscal related procedures. Work is performed under the supervision of a technical or administrative superior.
ALLOCATING FACTORS
· Positions must perform research and information management analytical studies.
· Positions in the Health and Human Services specialty must be located in the Department of Public Health, the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services, or the Department of Human Services.
· Positions in the Public Safety specialty must be located in either the Police Department or in the Philadelphia Prison System.
· Positions in the Fiscal specialty must be located in the Revenue Department or the Department of Human Services.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
ALL SPECIALTIES
Designs research questions and projects; constructs research instruments; conducts research using bibliographic and various other data collection methods; interviews selected participants; makes field observations; designs and constructs computer files and analytical processes, and output reports for research projects.
Performs evaluation and analysis of data using standard statistical and ethnographic methods or database analysis methods; prepares reports documenting results of findings and recommendations; may participate in formal or informal presentation of research findings.
Confers with departmental representatives; reviews policies, procedures, forms and systems used for data collection.
Designs new or modifies current systems and programs, based on assessed needs using query languages, report writers, interactive database programs, spreadsheets and/or application generators; performs related duties which include modifying computer data bases, designing source and output documents, developing schedules for the input of data, and testing new programs; may provide training for staff members and providers when new procedures are implemented or old procedures revised.
Designs and maintains summary reports for staff use or for state reporting purposes or reporting to internal City departments, as well as PICA (Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority) and other state or federal oversight agencies; designs programs to elicit special statistical or analytical reports upon request; evaluates such requests for appropriateness of purpose, methodology and desired outcome.
Attends conferences, reviews literature and investigates new techniques in program analysis and evaluation.
Performs related work as required.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SPECIALTY
Develops procedures for the reporting of service information by public health providers; institutes methods of monitoring information received in regard to timeliness, completeness and accuracy; designs and implements procedures and programs to update information.
Provides technical assistance and training to provider agency staff on research, evaluation and information systems activities.
Participates in developing grant proposals for research evaluation, and information systems projects.
Researches, creates queries, determines data categories and range of reporting periods using computer software; uses specific criteria to extract information; develops case categories including age, race, location etc; uses software to verify extracted information; uses the data to produce specified documents such as charts, graphs, and tables.
Utilizes various data sources to generate routine reports on adoption and foster care based on the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis Reporting System (AFCARS); conducts a computerized test to find errors in existing records; runs queries, and uses computer software such as ESPERANT, COGNOS, ACCESS, and the Family and Children Tracking System (FACTS) to manipulate, analyze and “clean” existing records; runs queries prior to court dates and extrapolates information on assigned cases to send them to the Law Department for verification and correction prior to preparing final court records; prepares detailed reports for administrators, managers, and social workers including Child Protective Service Investigations Reports, Older Youth Placement Population Reports, General Protective Service Assessments, Permanency Hearing Reports, and Placement Reports
PUBLIC SAFETY SPECIALTY
Performs analysis using crime, economic and demographic data to project crime trends; conducts literature reviews and best practice research to identify innovative policing programs for implementation; works with program managers and unit commanders to establish performance measurement systems.
Performs comparative research on data compiled by public safety departments in other municipalities.
Early Intervention System Assignment
Provides date and analytic technical assistance to PPD Early Intervention Unit; organizes disparate data sources, and document data and workflow; research, analyzes, and evaluates various areas of risk management data to identify and map various databases to appropriately configure EIS modules; creates custom tables, charts, and maps utilizing information from multiple databases.
Conducts gap analyses, report findings, and offer recommendations for system improvements that are evidence-based and that support best practices; maintains data integrity of the department's EIS databases and other internal departmental databases; identifies and remediates corrupted data and fix coding errors and related problems where necessary.
Use statistical tools to identify, analyze, and interpret patterns and trends in complex data sets; prepare memos, presentations, and reports of findings to PPD and other partners.
FISCAL SPECIALTY
Revenue Department Assignment
Analyzes data reflective of Department of Revenue operations including revenue collections and customer service; provides information on business development and growth; utilizes the City mainframe systems (TIPS, BASIS2, FAMIS) to effectively perform data integrity and preparation work; designs research lists for data purification and/or tax compliance; conducts programming using SQL Server; write queries in Access; may supervise student interns.
Department of Human Services Assignment
Performs data synthesis and analysis to assist in monitoring or improving operating efficiencies; evaluates and develops fiscal procedures and a variety of statistical reports; prepares comprehensive reports and correspondence, identifying revenue status and financial conditions to executive staff.
Creates a revenue tracking plan to ensure accurate and timely reimbursement of all federal and state funds; prepares and presents periodic reports on departmental budget and other financial transactions; uses existing and developed data to plan, forecast, and interpret revenue sources and changes in revenue.
Utilizes computer software such as, FAMIS, ACIS, COGNOS and FACTS to obtain and review financial information; uses Excel and Access to synthesize, analyze and interpret information.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF
· social science research and investigative methodology, its application to a variety of problems, and the methods employed in the presentation of results
· the standard sources and uses of information in the social sciences
· standard statistical procedures and their application to research
· principles, methods and techniques for research and data collection
· principles and practices of utilizing computers for management reporting and analysis
· computer based systems and associated principles and practices used for data gathering, organization, reporting and analysis, such as data base management, graphics, word processing and spreadsheets geographical information systems and computer mapping for the Public Safety and Fiscal specialties
· the current uses and programming principles of query languages, report writers, interactive database programs, spreadsheets and/or application generators such as FOCUS or SPSS, as they relate to social science research
· the current uses and capabilities of electronic data processing equipment, with particular emphasis on personal computer (PC), mid range computer and mainframe applications
· financial and economic principles and theory, including accounting principles for the Fiscal specialty
· machine learning and algorithms using Python or R for the Early Intervention Systems assignment for the Public Safety specialty
SKILL IN
· conducting research projects and determining appropriate research methods utilizing current research techniques
· performing complex statistical analysis
· using computer software packages to manage and produce data such as tables, maps and/or graphic displays
· written analysis and oral presentation
ABILITY TO
· utilize current query languages, report writers, interactive database programs, spreadsheets and/or application generators and mid-range computer, personal computer (PC) and mainframe systems to improve agency operations
· learn additional query languages, report writers, interactive database programs, spreadsheets and/or application generators or other software as necessary
· learn database management software such as SQL Server Management Studio and its related language
· utilize City mainframe computer systems such as TIPS, BASIS2 and FAMIS to accurately compile data needed for various research projects and reports for the Revenue Department assignment
· write queries to extract data for reporting or information requests
· learn tax regulations and reporting requirements for the Revenue Department assignment
· skillfully perform and complete multiple time dependent tasks
· effectively communicate theoretical and analytical concepts and findings, both orally and in writing
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 1/23.)
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SPECIALTY
EDUCATION
Completion of a Master's degree at an accredited college or university in public health, public administration, political science, psychology, sociology, or a related field.
AND
EXPERIENCE
One year of experience conducting social science research studies or analytical research studies related to public or behavioral health or human services administration, which has included utilizing non-procedural computer application, such as a query language, report writer, interactive database program, spreadsheet and/or application generator for information reporting and analysis.
PUBLIC SAFETY SPECIALTY
EDUCATION
Completion of a Master's degree at an accredited college or university in criminology, criminal justice, psychology, political science, public policy, sociology, information technology, management of information systems, information science, data analytics or a related field.
AND
EXPERIENCE
One year of experience conducting analytical research and statistical analysis using relational applications or programming related to academically published articles, social policy or public safety. .
NOTES:
1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree and additional experience may substitute for the Master’s degree.
2. Completion of a doctoral degree (PhD) in the above-mentioned fields in the minimum education requirement may substitute for the experience.
EDUCATION:
Completion of a Master's degree at an accredited college or university in finance, economics, statistics or a related field.
AND
EXPERIENCE
One year of experience producing detailed data-driven reports and analyses, which has included utilizing a database program and spreadsheets for information reporting and analysis including responsibility for developing planning strategies and preparing comprehensive reports for review by management to improve operating efficiencies.
ALL SPECIALTIES
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources, which includes a Bachelor's degree as an educational minimum.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
Class Established 4/87
Spec Revision: CSC – 3/12; Ad. Board – 4/12
Spec Revision: CSC – 10/13; Ad. Board – 11/13
Spec Revision: CSC – 6 /14; Ad. Board – 7/14
Spec. Revision:
CSC – 9/22
Ad. Board – 10/22
Latest Spec Revision:
CSC – 12/22
Ad. Board – 1/23
JL