Data Strategy Lead (12896, Grade 30)

Are you passionate about using data to improve public services? Do you enjoy collaborating with a dynamic team to solve complex operational challenges? Can you use technology, analytics, and strategic thinking to help an organization make better decisions? If this sounds like you, come join us on the Management Services Division team at Montgomery Parks in Wheaton, MD. Montgomery Parks is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative professional to serve as the Data Strategy Lead. This position will help shape how the Department uses data to guide operational, planning, asset management, performance measurement, and budget decisions. The Data Strategy Lead will work across divisions to improve the integrity, consistency, and usability of operational and asset data. This position will collaborate with budget, GIS, Enterprise Asset Management System EAM, data analytics, program management, and leadership teams to develop practical standards, dashboards, reports, and processes that connect service delivery, asset condition, resource needs, and organizational priorities. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical, problem-solving, facilitation, and communication skills; experience developing or supporting dashboards, reports, metrics, data standards, or performance management tools; and a demonstrated ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable information for technical and non-technical audiences. About Montgomery Parks Montgomery Parks is an award-winning park system and part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). Supported by more than 1,000 dedicated employees, we care for 416 parks, including trails, and natural spaces across Montgomery County, with team members working in a wide range of roles including park operations, public programs, park planning, public safety, and administration. Our work is visible in everyday moments, from safe, well-maintained trails to welcoming parks and community programs. Careers with Montgomery Parks offer purpose, stability, and the opportunity to make a visible, lasting impact where people live, work, and connect. Learn More About Montgomery Parks: Examples of Important Duties Data Strategy and Governance

• Develop and maintain a practical department-wide data strategy that improves how operational, asset, budget, GIS, and performance data are defined, managed, and used.
• Establish data governance standards, roles, and processes that strengthen data ownership, stewardship, quality, consistency, security, and accountability across divisions.
• Identify priority data gaps, inconsistencies, and opportunities for improvement, and coordinate practical solutions that support reliable reporting and informed decision-making.
• Increase the department’s capacity to complete data cleanup work by directly performing data review, correction, standardization, and validation tasks in addition to coordinating broader cleanup efforts.

Performance Measurement and Reporting

• Lead efforts to develop consistent performance measures, data standards, and reporting practices that support program-based budgeting and asset condition assessment priorities.
• Partner with leadership, budget staff, program managers, and operational teams to connect service delivery, assets, costs, and resource needs to decision-making.
• Build and support dashboards, reports, and data products that help managers evaluate performance, monitor asset conditions, identify trends, and communicate results.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Process Improvement

• Facilitate cross-functional working groups to align business processes, data definitions, reporting priorities, and performance management practices.
• Analyze data quality issues, workflow gaps, and reporting inconsistencies, and recommend improvements that strengthen data integrity and organizational decision support.
• Create documentation, implementation roadmaps, standard operating procedures, and training materials to support adoption of new data standards and reporting practices.

• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience developing or supporting dashboards, reports, metrics, data standards, or performance management tools.
• Strong collaboration, facilitation, project management, and change management skills.
• Experience with tools or systems such as Power BI, Tableau, SQL, GIS, EAM, or other operational data systems.
• A commitment to using data to improve public services, support stewardship of public resources, and strengthen community outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Enterprise Asset Management, Geographic Information Systems, or related operational systems.
• Experience supporting program-based budgeting, performance-based budgeting, cost analysis, resource allocation, or budget decision support.
• Experience with asset condition assessments, asset lifecycle planning, work order data, maintenance management, or capital and operating budget planning.
• Experience in parks and recreation, public service, local government, or a similar field., * Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Geographic Information Systems or any related field.
• Four (4) years of experience in applications support and development.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years.
• Depending upon area of assignment, a valid driver’s license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing. Working Conditions

• Primarily works in an office setting; may work outdoors on an incidental basis.
• Work is primarily sedentary and requires very light to light physical effort.
• Works in an environment with high volume and moderate pressure to meet deadlines.
• Work must be performed accurately and may require occasional overtime, after-hours, weekend or on-call work.

Additional Details

• The salary range shown reflects the full earning potential for this role. Your actual pay will be based on your experience.
• Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

• We offer a flexible and competitive benefits package., You have 45 days from your hire date to elect your benefits. Your coverage begins on the first of the month following receipt of your enrollment forms and required documentation. Retirement Programs

• Defined Benefit Plan (Mandatory Participation) - Plan E excludes FOP members.

Plan Employee Contribution Plan C 9.5%* of base salary (FOP members only) Plan E 4% of base salary up to maximum Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) and 8% in excess of SSWB.

• 457 (b) Plan (Optional) [Pre-tax and Roth]
• Traditional and Roth IRAs (Optional)
• Retiree Healthcare - Eligibility requires, at least 10 years of eligible service and continuous enrollment in M-NCPPC plans (or proof of continuous enrollment in comparable plans) during the 36 months immediately preceding your retirement date. Premium cost share based on years of service

Health Insurance Plans (FOP Members Pay 23% for Medical, Prescription and Dental and same as all other employees for Vision.) All other employees pay percentage below.*

• Medical

• Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) - (15%)
• UnitedHealthcare Select Exclusive Provider Organization Health Plan (EPO) - (20%)
• UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Point of Service (POS) - (20%)
• Prescription - CVS Caremark - (15%)
• Dental - Delta Dental PPO and DeltaCare USA HMO - (20%)

• Vision - EyeMed - (80% of Low Option plan paid by Commission. Any balance paid by employee.)

• Low, moderate, and high options are available. Frequency of covered services differs.

Flexible Spending Accounts (Employee Pays 100%)

• Medical Account - Maximum annual contribution: $3,300
• Dependent Care Account - Maximum annual contribution: $7,500

Long-Term Disability Insurance (Mandatory Participation)

• Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80% (FOP Members Pay 100%)
• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary, maximum of $6,000/month

Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary that exceeds $108,000; capped at $216,000

Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80%)

• Two (2) times base salary; maximum benefit is $200,000 for each
• Automatic coverage with opt-out provision

Supplemental and Spouse/Dependent Life Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Supplemental - 1,2,3,4, or 5 times base salary; maximum benefit is $750,000
• Spouse/Dependent Combination - $10,000/$5,000, $20,000/$10,000, or $30,000/$15,000

Sick Leave Bank (Contribution and Benefit hours prorated for part-time employees)

• Employees have 60 days from date of hire to enroll.
• Employee contributes 8 leave hours each year
• Annually covers up to 688 hours for own serious medical condition, and 480 hours for parental responsibilities (birth, adoption or foster care), and 80-160 hours for serious medical condition of an immediate family member

Leave Programs

• Annual: 15 days per year
• Personal: 3 days per year (12-month waiting period)
• Sick: 15 days per year
• Holidays: 11 days per year

Other Benefits

• Credit Union
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Legal Services Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Work-Life Program