Data Science Careers in Government and Public Policy

Information and data are fundamental for research and problem-solving in government and public policy institutions that rely on historical data to make decisions about new laws, protocols, and national standards. Data science careers in government and public policy may contribute to the development of laws and public policy and issues of national and economic security.

What is Public Policy?

The goal of public policy is to develop laws and regulations that solve real-world problems, and there are many government agencies and institutions that specialize in different forms of public policy. Data scientists in government and public policy use information and data to develop policies that will benefit the lives of all citizens. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (also known as the EPA) is a governmental agency that proposes policies to address environmental issues. Data scientists in the EPA use ecological data and research to offer public policy solutions to pollution, climate change, water contamination, etc., including changes to toxic waste disposal laws and recycling protocols.

The public policy sector has been greatly influenced by the emergence and growth of data analytics technologies. Data scientists now use big data and prescriptive analytics to develop new solutions based on the effects of past policy changes. Governmental data is also considered a form of sensitive data with varying levels of accessibility and security. Data science professionals must understand how to safely work with data and protect the security of internal and external correspondence and information-sharing. 

The Demand for Data Scientists in Government

The goal of government officials and policy analysts is to develop research and technology at where public policy analytics and government meet. For data scientists, the outcome of this research is to build better data analytics tools for government agencies and encourage officials to use data to inform their decision-making. Some US government agencies, like the US Census Bureau, FBI, FDA, and NASA, are well-known for being data-centric. But there are also policy agencies, like the Department of State, creating roles for data science professionals. 

In response to the demand for data scientists in government, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) created new protocols for assessing data science candidates. Data scientists and analysts can also use platforms like USAJobs to find hundreds of local and national government job listings. Some people break into public policy with degrees and certifications in the field. But data science professionals can gain public policy experience by building careers in local and national governmental agencies, many of which are found in national security, academic research, and public policy. 

Top Data Science Careers in Government and Public Policy

Policy Analyst

Policy analysts often do independent research and analysis. But to qualify for such work, policy analysts must first build experience in government and public policy. Tasked with large-scale research analysis in specific areas such as economic or environmental, policy analysts report their findings and propose legislative or political solutions. Data scientists working as policy analysts in the federal government often have advanced degrees in law and public policy. But data science students interested in this career path can build experience through internships and summer research fellowships in their local agencies or government. Data scientists can also access publicly available governmental data to create projects or a policy analysis portfolio that demonstrate their skills in this field. 

Cyber Security Officer 

National security includes information and data protection. Cyber security officers and researchers are in-demand in government agencies like the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and departments of the Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security. In this role, data science professionals apply their knowledge of computer networks and systems to protect information and data. Cyber Security Officers have a background in data and information science and when trained in defending a system against cyber-attacks may also specialize in digital forensics and network security. Research roles in cyber security are available for data engineers and software developers trained in creating information systems, software, and technology that can better protect governmental data.

Mathematical Statistician 

Data scientists with strong backgrounds in mathematics can also build careers in government as Mathematical Statisticians. Mathematical statisticians are found in government agencies that require quantitative research and planning such as the Department of Commerce and Transportation. Mathematical statisticians must have data science and statistical analysis skills as most positions perform research projects and studies that may be used to make policy recommendations and generate reports about specific areas of national concern. For example, mathematical statisticians may use employment data from various government agencies to project the growth of a specific industry and prepare reports that are broadly shared among citizens and government officials.

Civic Data Analyst

There are multiple Data Analyst jobs in government and public policy. Civic data analysts collect, analyze, and visualize data that is relevant and useful for the citizens of a city, state, or nationwide. Most civic data is collected by local government and used for urban planning and renewal projects. For example, civic data analysts at the Department of Transportation might use traffic data to improve public transportation or highway systems. In addition to working as civic data analysts, data analysts and scientists can build careers in civics technology, an emerging field that includes software and technology development to better serve communities.

Interested in Starting Your Data Science Career?

The U.S. government is the largest employer in the country, with about 2.7 million civilian employees. So, a career in public policy and national security is a worthwhile consideration for data science students and professionals. Noble Desktop’s data science careers and certificate programs teach students the skills needed to begin a career in data science. The Data Science Certificate includes training in Python programming, SQL database management, and an introduction to automated machine learning. The Data Analytics Certificate covers information technology, with training in business intelligence and data visualization tools useful across government sectors.