Data Analyst 2, Analytics and Program Integration

State of Iowa; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, &

Health and dental insurance options

IPERS retirement benefits

Life insurance and long-term-disabiity

Supplemental benefits and retirement-s

Job summary

Iowa Department of Education's Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services seeks a Data Analyst 2 to support analytics, program integration, and data-driven decision making for nutrition programs across Iowa.

The role focuses on data management, reporting, and system improvements, collaborating with schools and childcare providers to strengthen data integrity and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• Passion for public service and improving outcomes for Iowa students and communities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Technical aptitude and curiosity for learning new systems and tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate technical information into understandable language for a variety of audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to navigate complex situations and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Gather, organize, and analyze information from databases, spreadsheets, and other data sources.
• Develop reports, visualizations, and written summaries that communicate findings clearly.
• Identify, track, and monitor key performance indicators aligned with bureau and department goals.
• Support data-driven decision-making through meaningful reporting and analysis.
• Serve as a liaison between bureau staff and data system contractors to translate business needs into effective system solutions.
• Manage system service and access requests from end users, including schools, childcare providers, and other stakeholders.
• Resolve system issues through data corrections, configuration updates, or process improvements.
• Develop recommendations and workflows that improve efficiency and strengthen system performance.
• Provide technical recommendations related to system enhancements and future development opportunities.
• Coordinate multiple concurrent system enhancements and updates.
• Plan and conduct system testing and document outcomes.
• Partner with internal teams and end users to ensure enhancements move successfully into production.
• Support secure data storage, retention, disposal practices, and data integrity standards.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Technical aptitude

Multi-priority management

Organizational skills

Written and verbal communication

Translate technical to lay terms

Interpersonal skills

Collaborative teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, MIS, or industrial management

Tools

Microsoft SQL tools

T-SQL

SQL Server

Job description

Applicants must reside in Iowa at the time of hire

Help Strengthen the Systems that Support Iowa Students

At the Iowa Department of Education, our mission is to ensure all students experience a world-class education. Achieving that mission takes more than classrooms and curriculum- it also requires strong systems, reliable data, and people who can turn information into meaningful action.

The Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services is seeking a Data Analyst 2, Analytics and Program Integration to serve as a key member of the Data, Reporting, and Program Support Team. In this role, you will help maintain and improve the systems that support nutrition programs across Iowa. Your work will help ensure that participating schools, child care organizations, and other partners have efficient processes and dependable systems that ultimately support children and families throughout the state.

If you enjoy solving problems, improving processes, managing complex systems, and transforming data into practical insights, this role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful statewide impact.

What You’ll Do

As a member of our team, you will help manage and improve critical data systems and processes that support bureau operations and program delivery.

Data Management & Reporting

• Gather, organize, and analyze information from databases, spreadsheets, and other data sources
• Develop reports, visualizations, and written summaries that communicate findings clearly
• Identify, track, and monitor key performance indicators aligned with bureau and department goals
• Support data-driven decision-making through meaningful reporting and analysis

System Administration & Process Improvement

• Serve as a liaison between bureau staff and data system contractors to translate business needs into effective system solutions
• Manage system service and access requests from end users, including schools, childcare providers, and other stakeholders
• Resolve system issues through data corrections, configuration updates, or process improvements
• Develop recommendations and workflows that improve efficiency and strengthen system performance
• Provide technical recommendations related to system enhancements and future development opportunities

Project Coordination & Quality Assurance

• Coordinate multiple concurrent system enhancements and updates
• Plan and conduct system testing and document outcomes
• Partner with internal teams and end users to ensure enhancements move successfully into production
• Support secure data storage, retention, disposal practices, and data integrity standards

What We’re Looking For

Successful candidates will bring or have the ability and desire to develop, the following:

• Passion for public service and improving outcomes for Iowa students and communities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Technical aptitude and curiosity for learning new systems and tools
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to translate technical information into understandable language for a variety of audiences
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Ability to navigate complex situations and meet deadlines
• Commitment to working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate may have experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Experience using Microsoft SQL tools within recent platform versions
• Experience writing complex T-SQL queries against SQL Server databases
• Experience managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Experience working in environments with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
• Strong attention to detail and ability to apply established procedures with accuracy and efficiency
• Experience with office software applications including spreadsheets and reporting tools
• Experience implementing government regulations or policy requirements
• Experience with USDA Child Nutrition Programs preferred

Schedule:

Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Occasional evenings, weekends, and in-state or out-of-state travel may be required.

What’s In It for You?

• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of Iowa students, families, and communities
• Join a collaborative and supportive work environment
• Work alongside passionate colleagues committed to public service
• Opportunities for learning, growth, and professional development
• Collaboration with experts and partners across the country
• Employee discounts through a variety of vendors
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including:
  • Paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, military leave, and jury duty leave
  • Low-cost, high-quality health and dental insurance options
  • Retirement benefits through IPERS
  • Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
  • Optional supplemental benefits and retirement savings opportunities

For more information, check out Benefits Beyond the Paycheck.

Applicants must reside in the State of Iowa at the time of hire

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Six years of full-time work experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science.

2) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, management information systems, or industrial management, and experience equal to two years of full-time work (as described in number one). An unofficial transcript MUST be attached. Note: Computer Science degrees do NOT meet this qualification

3a. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science, where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, management information systems, or industrial managementequals one year of full-time experience; and

3b. A total of two years of graduate-level education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university coursework in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, management information systems, or industrial management equals one year of full-time experience. An unofficial transcript MUST be attached.

4a. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science, where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and

4b. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, management information systems, or industrial management. An unofficial transcript MUST be attached. Note: Computer Science Master’s degrees do NOT meet this qualification

5a. Two years of full-time work experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science; and

5b. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours ofaccredited college or university coursework in any field equalsone year of full-time experience; and

5c. Possession of a professional certificate in data science, business analytics, or data analytics. An unofficial transcript and copy of Certificate MUST be attached.

6) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Data Analyst 1.

An unofficial transcript MUST be attached for educational experience to be considered.