PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS ANALYST

City of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Chicago is seeking a Principal Operations Analyst in the 1st Deputy Commissioners Office at 400 S. State Street. The role focuses on studies to improve operations, data collection, and performance measurement.

The position requires formal education in operations or related fields and strong analytical skills. The starting salary is $85,368, with opportunities for budget-approved expansion. Regular hours Monday to Friday, with an emphasis on leadership collaboration and innovative process

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus three years in operations analysis or related field.
• Master's degree plus two years in operations analysis or related field.

Responsibilities

• Meet with managers to define study scope and objectives.
• Evaluate complex systems and draft flow charts and models.
• Interface with senior leaders and stakeholders to identify improvements.
• Develop work plans and data collection processes for studies.
• Design surveys and use statistical analyses to evaluate data.
• Coordinate analysts in conducting operations studies.
• Develop and maintain databases for reporting.
• Construct mathematical models to evaluate data.
• Write and edit reports documenting results and recommendations.
• Develop new processes and performance measures for programs.

Skills

Operations analysis

Project management

Strategic planning

Data analysis

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree + 3 years experience

Master's degree + 2 years experience

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS ANALYST

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY

1st Deputy Commissioners Office

Number of Positions: 1

(additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $85,368

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm on 09/07/2026

Under general supervision, functions as a technical expert or team leader in the design and conduct of a broad range of studies to improve operations, and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Meets with managers to identify the scope of problems and define the objectives of studies
• Evaluates complex business and operational systems and drafts detailed flow charts and models to assess current work methods and processes
• Interfaces with senior leadership, program managers, and external stakeholders to identify, evaluate and define opportunities for improved efficiency, cost-savings and process improvements
• Develops work plans and data collection processes for achieving study objectives
• Designs in-depth survey questionnaires, scannable data collections forms, and/or web-based data collection systems and uses statistical analyses to evaluate collected survey data
• Coordinates and oversees professional analysts in the conduct of operations studies
• Researches techniques, methods, and processes to obtain information on specific areas under review
• Develops and oversees the maintenance of databases used to collect and report on information gathered
• Constructs complex mathematical models and uses computer applications to evaluate data
• Writes, reviews, and edits reports and manuals documenting study results and recommending changes to improve operations
• Develops and presents new or revised processes, procedures, and work standards to managers
• Develops performance measurements for new or modified programs and procedures
• Monitors and documents changes to ensure their effectiveness and recommends modifications as necessary
• Works with managers and consultants in program implementation
• Designs computer applications to automate manual processes, as required
• Defines specifications for consultants responsible for designing programs that will replace manual operations
• Facilitates training for staff to ensure strategic work plans are developed according to established guidelines

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: 400 S. State Street HWLC 10th floor

Days: Monday - Friday

Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree plus three (3) years of work experience in operations analysis, project management, strategic planning, program auditing or business management consulting, OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree plus two (2) years of work experience in operations analysis, project management, strategic planning, program auditing or business management consulting

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview which will include a written exercise and/or a skills assessment test as part of the interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral and written parts of the interview will be selected.

Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following

• Proficiency working with qualitative and quantitative data analysis
• Experience in performing complex statistical analyses and operational modeling
• Experience developing and managing data collection, analytics and administrative processes
• Experience in government infrastructure management operations
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on the information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow all required employment/hiring plan provisions, federal, state, and local laws, and collective bargaining agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience, the City of Chicago has adopted ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States, residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA), and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor