Data Analyst (Anticipated Vacancy) (SY25-26)

Boston Public Schools; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Boston Public Schools is seeking a Data Analyst to join its Planning and Analysis team. This critical role involves analyzing enrollment trends and supporting strategic planning initiatives for the district. Candidates are expected to possess strong analytical skills, a background in relevant fields, and a collaborative mindset aimed at enhancing educational outcomes for students.

Qualifications

• Excellent analytical ability and experience in project management.
• Experience translating data into actionable reports and findings.
• Current authorization to work in the United States required.

Responsibilities

• Develop tools to improve methodology for projecting enrollment.
• Analyze trends in enrollment dynamics within the district.
• Design analyses to assess impacts of potential policy changes.

Skills

Curiosity

Quantitative Orientation

Persistence

Technical Skills

Vision

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Formal training in computer science, statistics or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

STATA

R

Tableau

SPSS

SQL

Job description

This position is an anticipated vacancy. It is expected to be vacant. However, the current incumbent has a right to rescind their retirement, leave, or resignation up until the day of the expected vacancy date. Your hire will not be confirmed until the position is vacated, and you may start the year as a Long-Term Substitute if the position does not become vacant by the start of the school year.

Location: Planning and Analysis – BPS

Reports to : Director of Planning and Analysis

BPS is hiring a new analyst to join our team and expand our capacity to predict student enrollment trends, match academic programs to neighborhood needs, and to help the organization plan more thoughtfully. This is a unique opportunity to enter a large, urban school district and influence the way we serve our students.

The Organization

Founded in 1647, Boston Public Schools (BPS) is the oldest public school district in the country. With approximately 49,000 students from over 114 different countries, and a budget of approximately $1.1 billion, BPS is the largest school district in Massachusetts and is one of the most diverse as well. BPS has been recognized as one of the top urban school districts in the United States; in 2006, it was awarded the Broad Prize for Urban Education as the most improved urban school district in the nation.

The Team

The Planning and Analysis team consists of a small group of dedicated data strategists whose work focuses on how students flow throughout the district. We partner with external and internal teams to try to manage the unpredictable: where, when, for which program and at what grade level will students enroll in our schools. We need someone who can join our creative team to develop new and thoughtful ways to understand student enrollment.

We approach this work in a variety of ways, including: redesigning and automating reporting and other business processes; analyzing the impact of and making recommendations regarding potential policy changes; leading analytic projects in support of long-term planning within the district; and working with cross-functional teams to ensure new policies are implemented successfully. Our work is project rather than department based, so the new Data Analyst will have the opportunity to work in multiple areas including student assignment and choice, school and academic design, projecting future year enrollment, and long-term master enrollment planning. In addition, our work is very collaborative, so this is a great opportunity to work closely with a group of motivated and highly skilled data strategists as you advance your analytical, visualization and presentation skills.

Ideal Candidates

Candidates should have a demonstrated history of infusing the following traits into their work:

Curiosity - We need people to help our organization drive improvement . We feel that this requires a healthy desire to discover how and why things work the way they do. We also want candidates to be able to look for those explanations in data – and anything else that will help.

Quantitative Orientation – Some people think that everything is measurable, that all information can have a more precise and reliable measurement. This is who we want on our team; someone whose approach to everything is rigorous, inquisitive, and analytical.

Persistence – You will have to deal with messy datasets and new and evolving problems in an organization that is learning how to use data effectively. We need you to be able to work through a problem until it is solved, not until you reach a road block.

Technical Skills – If quantitative orientation is about a candidate’s will to use data, this trait is about the skill. We need someone who is trained in computer science, statistics, mathematics, and/or economics. But we also want someone who is constantly acquiring technical skills and understands the value of a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving.

Vision – This role is about more than just using quantitative skills to answer other people’s questions. We need someone who can help identify problems and opportunities, and who knows how to ask the right questions to address them.

Teamwork – We believe that excellent teams, composed of high-performing team members, can have an enormous impact. New team members are valued for their diverse experiences and commitment to service. They must also continuously seek input from a diverse set of perspectives and think critically about the impact of their work.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate on and develop tools to improve the methodology for projecting future year enrollment. Review and evaluate feedback from school leaders and provide supporting analyses to help understand enrollment patterns.
• Perform analysis to better understand trends underlying enrollment dynamics within the district and in support of long-term enrollment planning.
• Leverage data and various databases to improve decision-making, understand trends and create management tools for school and district leaders.
• Partner with school leaders in understanding analyses and collecting needed data in order to develop school-specific strategic enrollment plans.
• Design and execute analyses to assess the impact of potential policy changes. Inform the discussion with important findings and recommendations in formal memos and/or presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Respond to both immediate and longer-term data requests with key insights and thoughtful analysis.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree is preferred.
• Excellent analytical ability. Formal training in computer science, statistics or a related field preferred.
• Project management skills and strong orientation toward teamwork and collaboration.
• Experience translating data into easy-to-interpret, actionable reports, presentations, and findings.
• Advanced mastery of Microsoft Excel required.
• Familiarity with at least one analytical software platform (such as STATA, R, Tableau, SPSS, SQL) or at least one coding language is required, with a preference for candidates with knowledge of R and STATA.
• Candidates with skills or experience in geospatial analysis, are highly encouraged to apply.
• Current authorization to work in the United States - Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment

Terms: Managerial Tier C51, Full-Time

Note: Occasional weekend and evening work is required.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics, natural or protective hairstyle, military status, immigration status, English language proficiency, or any other factor prohibited by law in its programs and activities. BPS does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to work or learn. If you require an accommodation pursuant to the ADA for the application process, please contact the Accommodations Unit at [e-mail].