Machine Learning Specialist

Agency

Adult Correction

Division

COO - Organizational Performance

Job Classification Title

Applications Systems Specialist II (NS)

Position Number

60056214

Grade

DT11

About Us

The NC Department of Adult Correction is one of the largest state agencies with more than 14,000 employees. It is responsible for safeguarding and preserving lives and property through prevention, protection, and preparation as well as the care, custody, and supervision of all adults sentenced for violating North Carolina laws. This department includes state prisons with custody, healthcare, and facility operations staff as well as probation/parole officers who supervised sentenced people in the community. Other divisions include Administration, Health Services, Rehabilitation & Reentry, Special Operations and the Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission. We have a mission that matters!

Description of Work

Are you a data scientist, statistician, or quantitative researcher who wants your work to have a direct impact on public safety? Do you have a background in criminal justice, public policy, or social science and strong programming skills? The Innovation and Analysis Section is looking for a Machine Learning Specialist to lead the design and deployment of advanced models and data pipelines that enable data-informed decision-making across the agency.

The Machine Learning Specialist supports the Innovation and Analysis Section within the Organizational Performance Division, leading the design and deployment of advanced machine learning models and data pipelines to enable data-driven decision-making across the agency. This role develops scalable workflows using Databricks (on Azure), Spark, and Delta Lake, integrates data from multiple enterprise systems, and ensures compliance with governance and security standards. The position also supervises a Data Engineer, provides technical leadership on predictive modeling, and maintains production ML assets aligned with agency objectives.

You’ll work with a modern, cloud-based analytics environment that includes Databricks on Azure (Spark, Delta Lake, MLflow, DatabricksWorkflows), Posit Workbench and Posit Connect for interactive development and publishing, Python and R, and GitHub for version control. This is a hands-on technical leadership role with real influence on how the agency uses data and analytics.

Key Duties Include:
- Design, develop, and maintain machine learning models for operational and strategic use cases.
- Build and optimize data ingestion and transformation pipelines using Databricks.
- Implement automated workflows for model training, scoring, and monitoring using MLflow and Databricks Workflows.
- Conduct feature engineering, model evaluation, and performance tuning for predictive modeling initiatives.
- Monitor model drift, data quality, and operational stability to ensure reliable production performance.
- Provide technical consultation on machine learning feasibility, design, and responsible AI practices.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, reproducible workflows, and audit logs for compliance.
- Supervise and mentor a Data Engineer, coordinating shared responsibilities for pipeline and model development.
- Collaborate with IT, program staff, and leadership to align ML solutions with agency goals and governance standards.
- Translate complex analytical findings into clear, actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $91,600.00 - $160,299.00
This Position Is Pending Reclassification
The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Experience building, deploying, and monitoring machine learning models in a production environment.

• Experience working with criminal justice, public safety, or related public sector data.

• Strong foundation in statistics including regression, classification, or causal inference.

• Experience with cloud-based data platforms such as Databricks.

• Experience supervising or mentoring technical staff.

State Benefits Information:

The State of North Carolina offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Health Insurance options

• Retirement Plans

• NCFlex Supplemental Benefits

• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Community Service Leave

• Paid Parental Leave

Visit the State Benefits website for additional information.

About the Division of Innovation and Analysis

The Innovation and Analysis Section is located within the Organizational Performance Division. Its primary mission is to drive data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement across the agency. It leads the implementation of the Priority Questions Research Agenda, conducts agency-wide statistical analysis, and manages dashboards and data visualization tools to support staff access to actionable insights. The team also responds to data requests, researches best practices, collaborates on innovative initiatives, and evaluates programs and processes to identify opportunities for improvement.

Supplemental Application Information:

Application Process

NCDAC uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

Applicants must complete the application in full. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the State application. Applications must include:

• Complete education history (including high school)
• Full work experience details
• Certificates and licenses, if applicable
• Education must be from appropriately accredited institutions.
• Information provided must support responses to supplemental questions. Incomplete applications may impact screening and salary determination.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check and drug screen.

If multiple applications are submitted, only the most recent application received before the closing date will be considered.

Education Equivalency Verification

The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. 
• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

PREA Requirement

The NC Dept. of Adult Correction must adhere to the US Dept. of Justice Final Rule on the "National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape." Click this link for information on hiring and promotion prohibition requirements for all positions in the NC Dept. of Adult Correction: PREA Hiring and Promotion Prohibitions

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), NCDAC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor's degree in computer science or an IT related field or related technical degree from an appropriately accredited institution and six years of progressive experience in business application, business intelligence, or enterprise application consulting or development

OR

Associate degree in computer science or an IT related field or related technical degree from an appropriately accredited institution and seven years of progressive experience in business application consulting or development

OR

High School or General Education Development (GED) diploma and ten years of experience in business application, business intelligence, or enterprise application consulting or development

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Scot Timothy Watanabe

Email:

recruiters@dac.nc.gov