DATA SCIENTIST - EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT (HOMELESSNESS)
Salary
$115,353.84 - $155,453.52 Annually
Location
Los Angeles County, CA
Job Type
Full time
Job Number
HH1763B-EA
Department
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELESS SERVICES & HOUSING
Opening Date
10/15/2026
Closing Date
10/22/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Position/Program Information
Type of Recruitment
Open Competitive - Emergency
Filing Dates
Applications will be accepted from Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) until Thursday, October 22, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (PT). All applications must be received before 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Thursday, October 22, 2026, to be accepted.
Exam Number
HH1763B-EA
The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness, and the County is working to revise and expand our response to help all who are affected. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.
The Department of Homeless Services and Housing (HSH) is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Health Program Analyst III vacancies related to the homelessness crisis.
Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.
During your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%.
Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Data Scientist.
Essential Job Functions
Collaborates with division, department, and countywide stakeholders to solicit, define, and manage data science projects from conception through implementation, including identifying and developing statements of business problems; conducting exploratory data analysis and data mining; developing model specification requirements; and conducting advanced statistical analyses.
Develops and presents visualizations of findings and recommendations that can be used to support business decisions and allocate resources.
Works with departmental stakeholders to document business requirements and helps frame business problems so that appropriate corresponding data science techniques can be identified and applied.
Collaborates with department subject matter experts to understand, identify, and select available and relevant sources of data for use cases, including internal, external, structured, and unstructured data sources.
Works with departmental Information Technology organization to support collection, integration, and retention requirements for large sets of structured and unstructured data from various sources and consults with data engineers and architects on the design and architecture of relevant data systems and processes.
Collaborates with other Data Scientists, Analysts, and IT staff to select, evaluate, improve, and document tools and systems in order to strengthen divisional and departmental analytic capacity.
Independently conducts advanced analytical studies for the resolution of business problems and transfigures data into critical information by selecting and deploying appropriate advanced statistical techniques such as machine learning, bivariate and multivariate analyses, predictive/prescriptive analytics, and optimization.
Uses statistical computer scripting, domain-specific, and programming languages and other software and tools to digest, manipulate, prepare, augment, evaluate, analyze, summarize, and visualize data.
Plans, designs, and manages experiments, consumer surveys, and other data collection projects to augment existing sources of data as necessary to solve business problems.
Reviews the work of Predictive Data Analysts and other lower-level analysts assigned to project for quality-control purposes.
Conveys findings and conclusions of work orally, in writing, visually, in presentations, and by developing interactive tools as appropriate to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences, including technical and nontechnical staff, stakeholders, and members of the public.
Works with program staff to understand the implications of analyses and to ensure that findings are actionable and support data-driven program, policy, and operational decision-making.
Assists in implementing recommended business process changes in ways that both retain fidelity to best practices identified through the analysis and recognize the operational realities underlying existing business processes.
Works with functional teams to develop and implement products, services, and tools, such as dashboards and reports, emerging from the analysis.
Contributes to advanced analytic products (e.g., Recommender Engines, Auto Classification algorithms, Predictive Scoring, geo-spatial clustering, NLP classifier, etc.) and helps place them in production.
Recommends ongoing improvements to methods and algorithms that lead to findings, including new information.
Provides business metrics for departmental projects to show improvements both initially and over multiple iterations. Provides ongoing tracking and monitoring of performance of decision systems and statistical models and troubleshoots and implements enhancements and fixes to systems as needed.
Accesses ongoing training and professional development to maintain familiarity with current industry and academic research to apply the latest and most useful statistical learning techniques to help extract pattern and trends from data.
Develops relationships with local academic data science programs to foster recruitment of data science interns and is responsible for overseeing their work on departmental data science projects.
Requirements
Requirements to Qualify
Option I: Two (2) years of experience applying advanced statistical analyses, including predictive analytics, to produce actionable recommendations to support data-driven program, policy, and operational decision-making, at a level equivalent to the Los Angeles County class of Predictive Data Analyst.*
Option II: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in a field of applied research such as Data Science, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Statistics, Business Analytics, Psychology, or Public Health that included 12 semester or 18 quarter units of coursework in data science, predictive analytics, quantitative research methods, or statistical analysis -AND- Four (4) years of experience applying machine learning, predictive analytics, data management, and hypothesis-driven data analysis to produce actionable recommendations to support data-driven program, policy, and operational decision-making. A Master's or Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in a field of applied research such Data Science, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Statistics, Business Analytics, Psychology, or Public Health may substitute for up to two (2) years of experience.
You MUST meet the above requirement(s) in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment.
Special Requirement Information
To receive credit for your education, include a copy of your official diploma or letter/certificate -AND- official transcript from an accredited institution within seven (7) calendar days of the end of the filing period. Please submit documentation to SAtajanyan@hsh.lacounty.gov and indicate your name, the exam name, and the exam number. The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English; if it is in a foreign language, it must be translated and evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit:
We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.
License
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
Physical Class
II - Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.
Desirable Qualifications
One (1) year of experience within the last four (4) years in one or more of the following:
Working with large, fragmented administrative datasets -- including individual-level records from social services, healthcare, or government programs.
Selecting and applying statistical or machine learning models appropriate to the business problem, including model assumptions and limitations.
Producing recurring reports or dashboards from administrative data systems using tools such as Tableau, Looker, Power BI, Databricks Dashboards, Sparks, Azure Synapse, or equivalent platforms.
Developing dashboards or automated reports that translate analytic outputs into actionable information for program managers or operational staff.
Collaborating with data engineers or IT staff to scope data needs, provide feedback on data systems, and integrate analytic workflows into data pipelines.
Applying version control (e.g., Git) and basic software development practices, such as code documentation and reproducibility standards.
Working on an Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) process using data input tools to clean and combine datasets.
Experience presenting data analysis findings to non-technical stakeholders including homeless service program staff, leadership, and external bodies.
Additional Information
Exam Content
During your initial work period, the appointing department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment.
Application and Filing Information
Applications must be filed online only and will be reviewed for interview consideration on an ongoing basis. If you have not been contacted within 60 days and the recruitment remains open or reopens for filing, we encourage you to submit a new application. This will allow you to reaffirm your interest and update any relevant information. Please note, applicants will not receive individual notifications regarding their application or whether they meet the requirements.
Many important notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add SAtajanyan@hsh.lacounty.gov, as well as noreply@governmentjobs.com, and info@governmentjobs.com to your email address and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.
You have the ability to opt out of emails from LA County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any email notification for any examination for which you apply with Los Angeles County. Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices.
Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the deadline as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty, you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.
Social Security Number
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.
Computer and Internet Access at Public Libraries
For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.
Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI)
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.
Department Contact Name: Suzy Atajayan
Department Contact Email: SAtajanyan@hsh.lacounty.gov
Teletype Phone: (800) 735-2929
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Employment Information
Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.
This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.
Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement:
The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/.
Testing Accommodations for Applicants:
The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit: https://hr.lacounty.gov/accessibility/.
Fair Chance:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).
Employment Eligibility:
Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.
Career PathFinder:
Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.
Veteran's Credit:
Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.
For more information on veteran's credit, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205102_PPG_115.pdf
Revised September 2025
For detailed information, please click here
01
The information you provide on this supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and used to determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the examination process. CHECK YOUR ANSWER CAREFULLY. Any mistakes you make and/or any incomplete responses you provide in completing these questions will be used to disqualify your application even if you possess the qualifying experience or education. Be specific as possible and include all information requested.
02
This position works in support of the Countys response to homelessness.
03
Many important notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add SAtajanyan@hsh.lacounty.gov as well as noreply@governmentjobs.com, and info@governmentjobs.com to your email address and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.
04
How much experience do you have applying advanced statistical analyses, including predictive analytics, to produce actionable recommendations to support data-driven program, policy, and operational decision-making at a level equivalent to the Los Angeles County class of Predictive Data Analyst? Experience at a level equivalent to the Los Angeles County class of Predictive Data Analyst is defined as using machine learning techniques to analyze complex data sets and find statistically significant, meaningful predictive patterns, relevant to program goals, that human intelligence could not identify on its own.
You may still qualify even if your job title isn't exactly the same as the ones listed. What matters is that your experience is at a similar level - meaning your job involves similar responsibilities, requires comparable skills and knowledge, and takes place within a similar organizational structure. Please provide a clear explanation of your experience to demonstrate that it is at the appropriate level.
05
Please describe your experience that supports your response to Question #4, and include the following information:
If you do not have experience in this area, please indicate "N/A".
06
Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in a field of applied research such as Data Science, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Statistics, Business Analytics, Psychology, or Public Health that included 12 semester or 18 quarter units of coursework in data science, predictive analytics, quantitative research methods, or statistical analysis?
To receive credit for your education, include a copy of your official diploma or letter/certificate -AND- official transcript from an accredited institution within seven (7) calendar days of the end of the filing period. Please submit documentation to SAtajanyan@hsh.lacounty.gov and indicate your name, the exam name, and the exam number. The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English; if it is in a foreign language, it must be translated and evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit:
https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf and https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205105_PPG_123_ACE_Resource_Guide.pdf ;
We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.
07
Do you have a Master's or Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in a field of applied research such Data Science, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Statistics, Business Analytics, Psychology, or Public Health?
To receive credit for your education, include a copy of your official diploma or letter/certificate -AND- official transcript from an accredited institution within seven (7) calendar days of the end of the filing period. Please submit documentation to SAtajanyan@hsh.lacounty.gov and indicate your name, the exam name, and the exam number. The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English; if it is in a foreign language, it must be translated and evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit:
https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf and https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205105_PPG_123_ACE_Resource_Guide.pdf ;
We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.
08
How much experience do you have applying machine learning, predictive analytics, data management, and hypothesis-driven data analysis to produce actionable recommendations to support data-driven program, policy, and operational decision-making? A Master's or Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in a field of applied research such Data Science, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Statistics, Business Analytics, Psychology, or Public Health may substitute for up to two (2) years of experience.
09
Please describe your experience that supports your responses to Question #8, and include the following information:
If you do not have experience in this area, please indicate "N/A".
10
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
The following questions relate to desirable qualifications. If you are eligible for hire, Hiring Managers may use your responses during the selection process. As such, it is important to answer these questions carefully and accurately to ensure you are fully considered.
11
How much experience do you have within the last four (4) years in one or more of the following?
12
Please indicate which areas you have the experience in. (select all that apply)
13
Please describe your experience that supports your responses to Questions #11 and #12, and include the following information:
If you do not have experience in this area, please indicate "N/A".
14
Do you have experience in presenting data analysis findings to non-technical stakeholders including homeless service program staff, leadership, and external bodies?
15
Please describe your experience that supports your response to Question #14, and include the following information:
If you do not have experience in this area, please indicate "N/A".
Required Question
Employer County of Los Angeles
Address
Los Angeles, California, 90010
Website http://hr.lacounty.gov
| Location | Los Angeles, CA |
| Salary | $115,353.84–$155,453.52 Per Year |
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