Job Title: Senior Data Scientist
Job Code: MS 156573
Client: State of Mississippi – MDCPS
Location: 100% Remote (Client based in Jackson, MS)
Duration: Contract through 09/30/2026
Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (40 hrs/week, occasional overtime)
Job Overview
The Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services (MDCPS) is seeking a highly skilled Senior Data Scientist to support a proof-of-concept initiative leveraging Natural Language Processing (NLP) and advanced Machine Learning techniques to improve child welfare intake processes.
This role will focus on designing, developing, and validating predictive models and AI-driven solutions that enhance decision-making and improve outcomes for at-risk children.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop a technical framework including milestones, deliverables, and risk mitigation strategies
- Lead design, development, and validation of ML and NLP-based solutions
- Evaluate algorithmic and architectural trade-offs (performance, scalability, accuracy, risk)
- Design and build machine learning models from scratch
- Apply statistical modeling, NLP, and adaptive systems
- Convert human decision-making and social processes into computational models
- Analyze current intake workflows and identify process gaps and optimization opportunities
- Design AI-driven intake solutions using modern technologies
- Ensure models are transparent, explainable, and statistically sound
- Work closely with state stakeholders, SMEs, and technical teams
- Conduct design reviews, testing, and validation
- Provide regular status updates and technical guidance
- Oversee development and implementation of prototype solutions
- Support demonstrations and pilot evaluations
- Contribute to roadmap development for future integration
- Participate in Agile development processes
- Support iterative delivery and continuous improvement
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or related field
- Experience working on U.S. Federal Government data science programs with TS/SCI clearance
- Strong expertise in Data Engineering, including processing 700M+ records in under 30 minutes
- Experience with CCWIS data models and child welfare analytics
- Deep knowledge of Machine Learning, Statistical Algorithms, and Adaptive Systems
- Proven experience building ML models from the ground up
- Experience evaluating algorithmic trade-offs (accuracy, scalability, performance)
- Experience building non-rule-based decision systems using stochastic inputs
- Ability to translate social processes into computational models
Preferred Skills / Keywords
- Natural Language Processing (NLP)
- Predictive Modeling & Advanced Analytics
- Geospatial Analysis & Social Network Analysis
- Simulation & Computational Modeling
- Data Security & Risk Analysis
- Agile Methodology
- Prototype Development & Design Reviews
Primary Skills
Data Science, Machine Learning, NLP, Statistical Modeling, Algorithms, Data Engineering, Predictive Analytics, Simulation, Computational Modeling, Risk Analysis, Functional Design, Data Security
Never miss an opportunity! Create an alert based on the job you applied for.