Job Description

MISSION: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

Core Values:

• We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students.

• We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students.

• We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students.

• We are Servant Leaders: Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Office of Governance strives to improve the governance and overall system-performance of local education agencies (LEAs) through the coordinated efforts of two primary workstreams: Field Support and Compliance & Investigations. The collaborative approach with the field, across the agency, and within the office is centered on supporting educational progress and improving outcomes for students in all Texas public schools.

The Self-Reported Data Unit (SRDU) within the Compliance and Investigations Division is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and quality of self-reported data submitted to TEA by local education agencies through effective analysis, reviews, investigations, interventions, and monitoring of data. The Lead Data Analyst performs highly complex (senior-level) data analysis related to self-reported data concerns, primarily through standard statistical tools (SAS) and methods to identify data anomalies, inconsistencies, redundancies, or errors on indicators that are complex in nature or large in scale while also researching related program areas, policies, and laws that may impact the data. This position prepares and presents data concerns to leadership and relevant staff through technical reports that describe data analyses and findings and support recommendations for next steps, including potential special investigations and interventions. The Lead Data Analyst is expected to review the work of other team members and can assign and/or supervise the work of other data analysts.

This position works under limited supervision, with latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, and coordinates with and reports to the SRDU Director.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Please note that a resume and tailored cover letter are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Additionally, applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.

1. Data Anomaly Detection: works closely with leadership to identify relevant data elements, set meaningful thresholds, and develop sound methodologies when investigating self-reported data concerns; serves as a subject matter expert on data integrity, statistical methodologies, and anomaly detection

2. Data Analysis: performs analytical tasks that are on time, high quality, and accurate, including creating clean and well-documented SAS code that demonstrates understanding of business or policy decisions

3. Quality Control: performs accuracy and quality control checks of SAS programs and output, including reviewing the work of other team members

4. Internal Collaboration: collaborates with internal subject matter experts, general counsel, and other agency staff to understand the background and potential impact(s) of data concerns and to determine required action(s) to resolve the findings, which may include working with TEA program areas to ensure LEAs have access to the information and tools necessary to improve their data reporting; provides additional technical assistance and data analysis as needed

5. Report Writing: prepares and presents concise, comprehensive, and accurate reports summarizing data analyses and findings for relevant internal and external stakeholders, including agency leadership



Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university. Major coursework in data science, mathematics, statistics, economics, education, psychology, sociology, psychometrics, or a related field is preferred.

• Experience: At least four (4) years of experience in data analysis, research, and/or evaluation, including a minimum of two (2) years of experience in SAS.

• Substitutions: Education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military.

• Knowledge of the research process, including experience with problem identification, project planning and design, statistical analysis, and results interpretation.

• Highly skilled in conducting data analysis in SAS and working with large, institutional databases.

• Ability to interpret and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures concerning agency programs and procedures.

• Strong writing and presentation skills with ability to synthesize literature, data analyses, and results for a variety of audiences.

• Knowledge of Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS), Texas Education Data Standards (TEDS), Texas Administrative Code and associated rules, Title 19, Public Information Act, FERPA, and Texas Education Code, Chapter 39 preferred

• Meticulous attention to detail with an ability to produce high quality work in a dynamic environment.

• Self-motivated and highly organized; ability to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines.

• Desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback, and continuously improve.

• Willingness to work as a contributing member of a team and foster positive and effective working relationships with a variety of individuals (including executive leadership) and groups, internal and external to TEA.

As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the military employment preference.

To review the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to each job classification series in the State's Position Classification Plan (provided by the State Auditor's Office), please access the Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) Guide and click on the military "occupational category" that corresponds with the state classification in this job posting title.

This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency.

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.