Data Scientist (Immediate Opening)

Oversee daily operation of one or more functions of a department or a campus. Directs staff in the development and implementation of function or campus policies, procedures, and programs. Adheres to both district policy and governmental regulations concerning function or campus operations. Manages team or campus structure, development, training, and planning., The Data Scientist in the division of Audit and Performance leads the performance side of the function, reporting to the Chief of Audit and Performance. The work goes beyond compliance to ask whether the district’s operational, administrative, and program systems result in student learning. This role is responsible for designing and executing data-driven inquiries into operational effectiveness, resource impact, school systems, and other strategic questions posed by the Board of Trustees. They will perform ongoing data aggregation, cleaning, and analyses of student and educator performance, assessment data, and demographic data to provide critical input and insights into major district programs.

Where assurance and compliance audits ask “did we follow the rule” performance asks, “is this working and how do we know.” This role exists to build that capacity inside SAISD’s audit department: rigorous, defensible, student- outcome oriented analysis the district leadership and the Board can act on with confidence. The Data Scientist brings strong technical data science capability to this work including statistical modeling, dashboards, and predictive analytics, in service of collaboratively produced conclusions the Board and district leadership can rely on. will also maintain strong interpersonal relationships with teachers, principals, and other SAISD departments to lead and support strong continuous improvement practices across the district. The Data Scientist will help to inform strategic data management decisions to increase access and use of real-time data.

Essential Functions / Key Responsibilities

1. Build, evaluate, and refine statistical models and assessments aligned to the annual Audit Plan and the Board’s Goals and Guardrails., 2. Analyzes critical needs in assigned areas and works collaboratively to design, implement, refine, and evaluate processes for continuous improvement.

2. Identifies and assesses potential risks, providing recommendations to mitigate them.
3. Leads data-driven inquiries into critical educational questions.
4. Create, refine, and conduct performance metric calculations for the accountability systems.
5. Develop and maintain dashboards, visualizations, and other reports to help a variety of non-technical

audiences understand data insights for use in informed decision making.

1. Build and maintain low-code web and mobile applications used to collect and report on real-time data.
2. Create geographic visualizations of demographic data based on established methodologies and identify

other uses for geographic representation of student data.

1. Collaborate with other district departments and schools to identify areas for increased efficiency,

effectiveness, and improved processes, especially with regards to data collection, storage, access, reporting, and analysis.

1. Advise on qualitative and quantitative data collection strategies for a variety of formal and informal research questions for pressing real world decisions requiring quick solutions.

2. Conduct ongoing data cleaning and analysis projects as needed to support critical district initiatives.
3. Coordinate research and analysis activities utilizing various data sources and employ programming to

clean and organize the data.

1. Find new insights from datasets and communicate root-causes and solutions to decision makers.
2. Coordinate with the Data Warehouse department to communicate and advise on data storage and

structure needs.

1. Perform other related duties as assigned within the appropriate skill and experience capabilities expected, * Computer, computer software programs and peripherals, copier, fax, and other equipment applicable to

position.

• Frequent exposure to: temperature extremes (hot and cold), humidity extremes, noise.
• Occasional exposure to: biological hazards, communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.

Physical Demands/Requirements:

• Maintain emotional control under stress; work with frequent interruptions/deadlines; frequent sitting,

standing, walking, climbing, balancing, pulling and pushing; reaching, repetitive hand motions, hearing, speaking clearly, visual acuity and prolonged data input; occasional lift/carry light, moderate 15-44 pounds.

Supervisory Responsibilities / Direct Reports

• Supervises and evaluates performance of assigned professional and paraprofessional staff within the

performance function

• Responsible for the effectiveness and development of the performance function as a whole

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Statistics, Data Science or Computer Science

from an accredited college or university or 4 years equivalent experience

• 3+ years of professional business experience to include

o 3+ years of related experience in data science, statistics, or data analysis

• Candidate must have satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee

(approximately $50.00) paid by the employee.

Preferred Requirements

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Statistics, Data Science, Computer Science, or

related fields

• 10+ years of progressive business experience to include

o 3+ years of related experience in data science, statistics, or data analysis

• Research experience within the nonprofit, social, and/or educational sector
• Proven track record of managing and executing large-scale data analysis and performance management

initiatives

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proficient with one or more programming languages (Python, R, SPSS, STATA, etc.).
• Experience with SQL Programming.
• Demonstrated experience applying data science and statistical methods to real-world data problems.
• Experience designing, building, and implementing data visualization and reporting tools for a variety of, * Effective communication skills, both oral and written, with diverse groups of individuals utilizing tact and

diplomacy.

• Ability to develop and present technical material to a non-technical audience.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of executive and managerial

personnel and other internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to prioritize and schedule work based on competing demands of multiple projects.
• Demonstrated problem-solving capability in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate data needs.
• Exceptional focus on detail to minimize errors of omission and transcription.