The Data Scientist position with the Polk County Property Appraiser requires regular in-office attendance (Bartow, Florida) and is not a remote role.
*Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and not require employer sponsorship now or in the future.
Job Overview
This professional technical position supports the Property Appraiser’s Office by performing advanced data analysis, data engineering, reporting, and visualization to improve valuation accuracy, operational efficiency, and statutory compliance. The Data Scientist develops dashboards, analytical tools, automated workflows, and high‑quality datasets that enhance the work of the Appraisal Department.
The Data Scienctist improves data quality, prepares and integrates datasets, develops decision‑support tools, and conducts analytical studies used in mass appraisal, valuation, and roll production. Work is performed under the direction of the Appraisal Director and the Land Manager.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Collaborate with senior-level staff to build and maintain a complex code base that performs a wide range of production and analytic tasks.
2. Integrate data from CAMA systems, GIS platforms, deeds, permits, and external sources, ensuring consistency across internal systems.
3. Build, maintain, and optimize SQL queries that support modeling, appraisal, and data entry operations.
4. Maintain data dictionaries, documentation, and technical specifications for datasets used across the office.
5. Develop dynamic and interactive dashboards using Power BI (or similar tools) for appraisers, management, and leadership.
6. Create tools and data products that assist staff in understanding parcel characteristics, value changes, and classification trends.
7. Develop visual tools and summary reports that help communicate model performance, market behavior, and data distributions.
8. Manage complex interfaces with senior-level staff to deliver data science projects that provide improvements to efficiency, transparency, and fairness.
9. Assist in evaluating sales data and land location factors to support the Manager and Regression Modeler.
10. Assist in training staff on data literacy, dashboard usage, and accessing analytical tools.
11. Research and recommend new tools, technologies, and methods that enhance analytics, visualization, automation, and reporting.
12. Manage data collection, cross-channel data integration, predictive analytics, reporting, dashboards, and data visualization.
13. Collaborate with senior-level staff to develop strategies to identify and pursue opportunities to use data science within the PCPA to improve services.
14. Identify data inconsistencies and collaborate with appraisal, GIS, and IT staff to resolve issues and improve data quality.
15. Create repeatable workflows for high‑volume or statutory tasks (e.g., annual updates, abstract validation, roll monitoring).
16. Perform other duties as assigned and must participate in departmental meetings, cross-training, educational courses, seminars, and organizational efforts as directed.
17. Position may require driving to offsite training, occasional travel to agency offices and other required work-related locations.
Education and/or Work Experience
1. Education: Equivalent of two years of college level classes with major coursework in Computer Science or a closely related field – AND –
2. Experience: Two or more years’ knowledge of software development and maintenance through prior work experience in-house or with another county agency or Property Appraiser’s office. Knowledge of Power BI and SPSS or Python is desirable.
* Each year of post-secondary education may be substituted by one (1) year of work experience.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
The deputy will be required to complete the following training after hiring:
- Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate (PL-300)
At least one of the following cybersecurity training courses:
o CyberReady Florida Technical Foundations from USF/Cyber Florida
o The Cyber Florida Class: Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 (CSF 2.0) Practitioner Course
Join us to be part of a team where your expertise will shape the future of intelligent data-driven solutions!
Equal Employment Opportunity/ADA Statement
The Polk County Property Appraiser is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability status, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
Veteran’s Preference
Veterans’ preference in appointment and retention shall be granted in accordance with Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, when applicants are determined to be substantially equally qualified for a position. Eligible veterans and eligible spouses must submit the required supporting documentation at the time of application to be considered for preference.
Pay: From $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
