Data Strategist, T&L

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600 schools and employing approximately 40,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office of Teaching and Learning (T&L) provides school administrators and teachers with the professional learning and resources needed to engage students in rich and rewarding learning experiences. The Office of T&L comprises various academic and support departments, which work collaboratively to support student growth and progress in meeting or exceeding state standards for academic excellence.

Job Summary:

As part of the T&L Business Operations and Data team, the Data Strategist will support a portfolio of Teaching and Learning departments in the planning and implementation of data-driven strategies to support the continuous improvement of T&L programs and services. This position will serve as a data content and process expert for assigned T&L departments and will collaborate closely with other T&L business operations and data team members. The Data Strategist will report to the Data Manager.

The Data Strategist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Support T&L departments in the development of their strategic plan priorities, activities, goals, and metrics aligned to the priorities of the T&L strategic plan

• Support departments in the development and maintenance of metrics and measurements to monitor progress and determine the success of various district efforts and projects; assist with the creation of associated metric guides, explanatory materials, and supporting resources.

• Collaborate closely with department leaders to develop familiarity and expertise on departmental teams, programs, and operational strategy; utilize department expertise and data to provide input and guidance regarding strategic improvements and decision-making

• Provide departments with consultative support and guidance in the effective use of data to support strategic priorities

• Participate in department meetings, using data to facilitate a deeper understanding of department programs, awareness of school needs, and learning across departments

• Guide departments in the design of teacher, student, and administrator surveys related to professional learning, student programming, and other events

• Lead data & reporting coordination with key external partners, including government agencies and district vendors

• Conduct needs assessments, develop analytical frameworks and reports, train users, and manage ongoing tool usage

• Serve as the research expert for assigned T&L departments, providing guidance and support with incorporating data research into strategic planning

• Build the capacity of T&L departments to engage in robust cycles of department strategic planning and data inquiry

o Support the development of strategic plan priorities, activities, and goals

o Support designated departments in the development, implementation, and evaluation of their Continuous Improvement Plan by building capacity around strong cycles of inquiry and the use of data for strategic planning

• Perform analysis on large and complex datasets from multiple sources to provide meaningful information and inform strategic decision-making

• Evaluate data for structural integrity, consistency, and quality and identify remediations when data quality issues are identified

• Develop expertise on where various data are housed to extract information quickly and accurately

• Ensure data quality and integrity across departments

• Compile, manipulate, and analyze data using appropriate statistical techniques

• Participate in the District's Data Analyst User Group

• Perform related duties as required

Other Requirements:

• Must work with approved enterprise analytic toolsets (SAS or SQL)
• Adhere to a set of guiding principles for analytic practice as established by the Data Governance Council

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Data Strategist must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field from an accredited college or university is required. Focus in Computer Science, Statistics, Psychometrics, Education, or related fields of study is preferred

• Master's degree preferred

Experience Required:

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience as a data analyst or data strategist in a role requiring relationship management, including the following, is required:

o Experience writing code with data analytic tools/software (SAS, R, SPSS, STATA, etc.)

o Experience using data to drive critical conversations and continuous improvement among peer and non-peer colleague groups

• Experience developing and facilitating training for internal and external stakeholders on the effective interpretation and strategic use of data strongly preferred

• Experience working in or with an urban education system with a focus on teaching and learning, social, emotional, and behavioral supports strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to use or learn SAS or SQL required;

• Expertise in a range of data analytic tools and statistical software, including advanced knowledge of Excel and Google Workspace (G Suite) applications

• Strong consultative, organizational development and strategic planning skills

• Knowledge of strategic planning and project management tools and process

• Ability to establish priorities and effectively manage time to complete multiple activities or projects concurrently, while maintaining a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail and data quality assurance

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate data and methodological details clearly and accurately to non-technical audiences

• Strong analytic, data management, and data visualization skills

• Excellent strategic thinking and planning skills; ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps

• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible to support schools and principals

• Ability to deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced environment, respond promptly to multiple constituencies, and meet established deadlines

• Capable of success both working independently with general guidance and as a collaborative member of a team

• Capable of coordinating efforts and facilitating collaboration with a variety of individuals whose priorities may differ

• Ability to establish priorities and effectively manage time to complete multiple activities or projects concurrently

• Ability to work in a cross-functional team with technical and non-technical personnel from a variety of departments

• Ability to probe and derive the correct technical requirements from a non-technical customer for a particular data-related question

• Flexibility to meet changing departmental needs and priorities

• Capable of adhering to a high level of professionalism at all times across professional interactions

• Knowledge and expertise with Salesforce preferred

• Knowledge of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) data systems preferred

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.

• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. "Up-to-date" on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.

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