Research Python Programmer/Data Analyst

Why RTI

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

About the Hiring Group

RTI’s Center for Data Interoperability is seeking dynamic and detail-orientated candidates for a full-time Research Programmer/Analyst with Python, SAS or SQL analytic programming experience. The Research Programmer/Analyst will work with researcher teams to analyze and synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative administrative health data from multiple sources into meaningful results. Individuals in this role will provide analytic development and statistical programming expertise to project teams conducting research using healthcare data, especially large and complex health insurance claims and survey data, in a fast-paced environment.

This position is based in Research Triangle Park or any other U.S. location as a telecommuter.

What You'll Do

Approximately 85% of working time will require:

• Applying coding expertise and best practices to query, merge, and analyze complex healthcare data from large relational databases
• Leveraging a variety of quantitative methods to standardize, blend, and distill data from multiple disparate sources, transforming them into analytic insights for use in client reports, journal manuscripts, abstracts, or posters for professional meetings
• Iteratively developing and maintaining SAS, SQL, or Python code with an emphasis on increasing efficiency, minimizing computational errors, implementing process improvements, and other approaches that add value to business processes and analytic results
• Participating in thorough code review and documentation, as well as parallel coding efforts for other programmers to maintain quality standards and ensure that code may be efficiently transferred among team members as needed
• Constructing analytic datasets and databases to support deliverables for various public health and healthcare financing engagements
• Collaborating with project team members to review, critically evaluate, and refine business requirements, and then translate those requirements into programming logic
• Demonstrating established functional leadership skills on projects, including advising and mentoring fellow programmers, proactively resolving day-to-day issues of small to medium complexity, incorporating sound coding best practices and standards, and developing these behaviors among early-career staff

Approximately 15% of working time will require:

• Supporting strategic initiatives within the larger programming group and health practice area such as identifying emerging technologies for potential adoption, creating efficiencies or novel coding approaches both within and across projects, mentoring staff, and collaborating with analysts and other programmers to support research objectives
• Participating in industry conferences and continuing education on healthcare-related and/or technical coding topics (including learning new coding languages) as applicable to the role and evolving business needs
• Routinely sharing insights gained from the above activities with fellow programmers, leaders, and other division staff through activities such as presentations at staff meetings, contributions to collective codebase utilities, and training early career staff

What You'll Need

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA or advanced degree in data science, computer science, statistics, social sciences, health policy or related field with at least 8 years of programming experience OR the equivalent combination of education and experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience is defined as a Master’s degree in the same areas mentioned above and at least 6 years of relevant experience
• Minimum of 8 years of combined experience with Python, SAS or SQL analytical coding with demonstrated expertise in the linkage of various types of data files. At least 4 years of the minimum experience must be comprised of leveraging Python and/or SQL for analytic programming purposes
• Programming experience using data stored in relational databases such as Teradata, Snowflake, DB2, Oracle, and SQL Server
• Healthcare industry experience, analytic experience in work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and/or knowledge of healthcare terminology and taxonomy/classification systems (e.g., ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS)
• Experience designing and implementing flexible, reusable, scalable, computationally efficient and easily maintainable programming code for use across multiple projects
• Demonstrated understanding of analytic programming quality and best practices, including experience with QA/QC procedures (e.g., peer review of code, parallel programming) and the ability to teach these skills to others
• Demonstrated experience with all phases of the Analytic Development Life Cycle
• Organizational and planning skills that enable independent work while contributing to a team effort
• Analytic thinker with exceptional attention to quality and detail
• Good interpersonal skills, including written and oral English-language skills, the ability to effectively manage competing deadlines, and the ability to work independently on a day-to-day basis while regularly collaborating with project teams
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, have lived in the United States for at least 3 of the last 5 years, and should not require now, or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status

Preferred Qualifications: 

• At least 2 years of experience in a functional or technical leadership role with experience teaching others coding best practices, conducting thorough code reviews, and guiding teams through one or more phases of the Analytic Development Life Cycle
• Experience with other open-source programming languages such as R, Java, and Perl
• Experience leveraging relational database management concepts to build or enhance large systems of analytic datasets
• Programming experience within CMS data systems such as the Integrated Data Repository (IDRC), Chronic Conditions Warehouse (CCW), or Centralized Data Repository (CDR)
• Understanding and use of issue tracking and code versioning tools such as Jira or Git
• Experience with Linux/Unix
• Ability to provide quality programming output while also identifying overall enhancements to programming or project team processes to advance quality, efficiency, and collaboration efforts

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EEO & Pay Equity Statements

For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

For Applicants in Massachusetts Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

Equal Pay Act Minimum/Range

$132,000 - $163,000