Data Specialist Student Services

Description

Tacoma Public Schools

Expected Start Date: September 2024

FTE: 1.0

Hours per day: 8.0

Salary Level: $34.50 - $44.09 depending on experience

Benefits:This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools.


Examples Of Duties

This position performs complex, diversified, and specialized data processing-related duties in support of special education compliance with state and federal reporting for the District; applies unique technology and data with advanced reporting software; collaborates with District staff, administrators, and state and federal auditors; ensures compliance with District grant requirements, under direction of the department administrator; supports department staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Utilizes unique technology and specialized data in support of special education compliance with state and federal reporting for the District; applies the technology and data with advanced reporting from business intelligence software, for District-wide use in system alignment, support, and instructional improvement for Students with Disabilities (SWD).

2. Compiles, processes, maintains various reports, forms, and documents for state and federal data system reporting utilizing individualized education plan (IEP) online system, specialized business intelligence reporting functions, and the District student information system to support special education program analysis.

3. Enters, verifies, manages, and maintains special education tracking documentation for monthly enrollment, as required for state data and funding records; researches to verify and gather further information to ensure accurate data and consistent computer records according to Student Services department criteria; collaborates with other school districts on student information to offer a continuum of student services.

4. Communicates frequently with school/building special education staff to notify them of inaccurate or missing records, to verify information, and/or to obtain additional information for audit purposes; assists with appropriate action required and the urgency of each situation; creates reports for staff and other departments, as requested, for the purpose of maintaining special education documentation and supporting the Student Services department and District staff.

5. Ensures data integrity with the information systems by analyzing and verifying calculations and functions; monitors practices to identify variant procedures; responds to complex data and procedural questions regarding special education data and online support; assists with data compliance with the applicable grants in order to provide accurate reporting.

6. Acts as point person for special education and Student Services department to ensure system and reporting compliance with federal and state grants, and for continuous improvement; complies with mandatory state and federal deadlines; under guidance of the Student Services Administrator(s), ensures compliance with District grant requirements.

7. Serves as liaison and collaborates with District staff, administrators, and state and federal auditors to identify and resolve compliance and programmatic issues and application concerns; may consult with outside agencies, as required; reviews, analyzes, and assists with system changes and/or application releases; reports results, recommendations to department administrator and applicable compliance staff; communicates as necessary to District and outside partners for the purpose of resolving issues.

8. Maintains understanding of pertinent aspects of the applicable information systems, including, the individualized education plan (IEP) online system; organizes and documents users' needs, resolutions, and program functions; assists with development of training materials, including video productions and reports, to support user and administrative needs ensuring accurate compliance with procedures, data, and reporting.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Maintains and updates knowledge and skills necessary for success in the position by attending meetings, OSPI webinars, workshops and/or other in-service activities as assigned; may serve on related committees as assigned.

2. Performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis.

3. Regular, reliable, predictable attendance or physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.

CONDITIONS

Office environment; experiences prolonged confinement to workstation and exposure to video display; requires detailed and precise visual concentration; may experience frequent interruptions; may be required to deal with, and defuse, if appropriate, sensitive situations and/or people; may be required to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb, and/or be mobile.


Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Associate's degree or two-year vocational certificate in Computer Science, Business Administration or related field; three years of progressively responsible experience using information systems; two years of experience working with grant, state and federal regulations, guidelines and policies in a public-school setting, preferred; and/or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work.

Licenses/Special Requirements

Washington State driver's license with access to personal transportation.

Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance.

Allowable Substitution

Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be evaluated by the Human Resources Department for comparability.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of District, state and federal reporting procedures, policies, and regulations to optimize data integrity.

Knowledge of basic data auditing concepts and procedures.

Knowledge of information system functions and concepts.

Knowledge of basic report writing and/or SQL skills.

Knowledge of student information system.

Knowledge of business intelligence software.

Knowledge of and demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and database software.

Knowledge of office software.

Skill in identifying problems and recommending solutions.

Skill in mining data from a variety of sources.

Skill in obtaining specifications for reporting needs.

Skill in obtaining, clarifying, and exchanging information.

Skill in using spreadsheet and word-processing software and preparing necessary reports.

Skill with word processing and relational databases.

Skill in data entry and keyboarding.

Skill in providing and promoting quality customer service.

Ability to support the philosophy and components of the Student Services department.

Ability to effectively interact with District staff and outside agencies.

Ability to apply analytics to work projects and processes.

Ability to effectively communicate technical information to non-technical personnel.

Ability to write clear, concise, and useful requirements documentation.

Ability to follow test scripts and document findings.

Ability to work and interact with special needs students and program personnel.

Ability to maintain highest degree of confidentiality.

Ability to maintain accurate records.

Ability to organize and coordinate activities.

Ability to prioritize, coordinate, multi-task and meet deadlines.

Ability to work independently.

Ability to operate word processing applications.

Ability to enter data with a high degree of accuracy.

Ability to obtain, clarify, and exchange information.

Ability to participate as a team member.

Ability to perform arithmetical calculations.

Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socio-economic setting.


Supplemental Information

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. District administration has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the primary functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Tacoma Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

• Civil Rights Coordinator: Renee Trueblood, 253-571-1252,civilrights@tacoma.k12.wa.us
• Title IX Coordinator: Wayne Greer, 253-571-1191,wgreer@tacoma.k12.wa.us
• 504 Coordinator: Elise Friedrich-Nielsen, 253-571-1065,efriedr@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Mailing address: P.O. Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98401-1357.