Data Scientist / Developer -W/ clearance

Role Overview

The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services is seeking a Data Scientist/Developer to support a proof-of-concept initiative leveraging Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning to enhance the child welfare intake process.

This role will focus on designing, developing, and validating advanced analytical models to improve decision-making, optimize resource allocation, and positively impact outcomes for at-risk children.

Key Responsibilities

Process Analysis & Discovery

• Analyze current intake processes, workflows, and outcomes
• Identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement
• Evaluate existing data sources and decision-making frameworks

Solution Design (AI/ML & NLP)

• Design and develop enhanced intake models using NLP and machine learning techniques
• Quantify and validate the impact of proposed solutions

Data & System Strategy

• Assess current and future data sources and system dependencies
• Adapt solutions to align with evolving IT systems

Prototype Development

• Build and deploy a proof-of-concept application
• Integrate data sources (real or simulated)
• Conduct testing and validate model performance

Design Review & Governance

• Conduct design reviews and ensure model transparency and reliability
• Implement data protection strategies, especially when using LLMs

Stakeholder Collaboration & Demonstration

• Work closely with state stakeholders and technical teams
• Deliver a multi-day demonstration showcasing the solution
• Provide hands-on sessions for stakeholders

Agile Delivery

• Participate in Agile development processes and iterative delivery cycles

Required Qualifications

•  
• Bachelor’s/Master’s in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or related field
• Experience in federal data science programs (TS/SCI environment preferred)
• Strong expertise in building AI/ML models from scratch (not just libraries)
• 2+ years of hands-on ML model development (custom/statistical methods)
• Strong math foundation:
• Calculus
• Linear Algebra
• Statistics
•  

Technical Skills

• Programming: Python, C++, Java, SQL
• Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server
• Frameworks/Tools: React, NextJS, NodeJS
• Cloud Platforms: AWS
• Expertise in NLP and Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Model validation, testing, and performance evaluation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on federal or government data science programs
• Exposure to geospatial analysis and pattern-of-life modeling
• Experience deploying ML solutions in production environments
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills