Education Data Strategist

Fairfax County Public Schools; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 1,116,636 - 1,938,168; Full time

Job summary

Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia is seeking a data analytics professional to collect, review, and interpret student and operational data to inform senior leadership and strategic planning.

Responsibilities include designing databases, dashboards, and data tools; developing ML models to automate data-driven decisions; and guiding school and central staff on data utilization to improve instructional and student support services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, education, or a related field.
• Five years of experience in data analysis and interpretation, including student/operational data and instructional information.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of instructional test analysis, student services, or data analysis.
• Knowledge of data systems common to the K-12 education setting and familiarity with student testing administration, student support, and/or employee data.
• Knowledge of and ability to utilize statistical, reporting, and database packages (Tableau, SPSS, Oracle, Snowflake, and Apex).
• Skill in coding solutions and ability to develop data tools, data analytics, and visualizations, often under tight time constraints in emerging environments.

Responsibilities

• Performs appropriate qualitative and quantitative analysis of student and/or operational data utilizing database systems and statistical software for data integration, management, and analyses.
• Plans, designs, and develops databases, web applications, and dashboards/data visualizations for senior leadership, school administrators, and staff to support enterprise-wide data collection and provide student-level data and analysis.
• Develops and deploys machine learning models and algorithms to automate data-driven decision-making processes.
• Manages complex data-related projects such as the development and maintenance of web applications that support department activities such as inventory, financial analysis, scheduling, student services, and instructional and administrative data needs.
• Builds online forms such as those used to collect information and/or consent from stakeholders, such as school families.
• Consults with divisionwide staff on data collection needs, creates requirement documents and performs the necessary coding in the appropriate database to collect data from staff, students, parents, and community.
• Designs and develops data tools for assessing student performance, progress, and achievement.
• Collaborates with data engineers to design, develop, and maintain data pipelines and infrastructure that supports data analytics and reporting needs of the organization.
• Performs quality assurance testing to ensure validity and accuracy of data products to include accuracy of federal/state/county/division test results and other student data.
• Performs system maintenance and tracks internet traffic to ensure the systems created are secure.
• Investigates any unusual activity and works with other DIT professionals to diagnose problems and implement solutions as necessary.
• Determines the best approach and software to prepare written and oral reports, analyses, statistical documents, and presentations for a range of audiences and projects, such as staffing projections, target review, and school planning, as assigned.
• Develops high-quality presentations, documentation, and analytical materials for consumption by senior leadership.
• Participates in decision-making related to operational, strategic, student support, and instructional planning, reteaching, and intervention.
• Collaborates with and responds to ad-hoc requests from senior leadership, school administrators, and offices.
• Assists management with the development of project timelines.
• Provides consultation, training, professional development, workshops, and customized support to schools, regions, and department administrators to assist them with statistical analysis and in using assessment results to determine strengths and weaknesses in instructional and student services programs.
• Consults with and provides technical assistance to department administrators and staff.
• Remains current on data, visualization, and analytics trends, topics, and technologies to provide advanced solutions to senior managers and leadership.
• May prepare journal-type articles to publicize Division research and evaluation.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned.

Skills

Data analysis and interpretation

Statistical methods

SQL

Python

R

Data visualization

Machine learning basics

Presentation of findings

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, education, or a related field

Advanced degree(s) beyond minimum degree requirement may be considered for some experience

Tools

Tableau

SPSS

Oracle

Snowflake

Apex

Power BI

Qlik

Git

AWS

GCP

Azure

Job description

Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia is seeking a data analytics professional to collect, review, and interpret student and operational data to inform senior leadership and strategic planning.

Responsibilities include designing databases, dashboards, and data tools; developing ML models to automate data-driven decisions; and guiding school and central staff on data utilization to improve instructional and student support services.