Director 1, Data Science

JOB SUMMARY

The Director for Data Science & Visualization is responsible for implementing best practices for educational data management across multiple domains, and sets the district-wide standard for the communication of complex data through visualizations. The Director leads a team of data scientists, analysts, and visualization experts who are informed by best practices in educational data management. The role requires a convergence of (1) data and analytics skills, (2) IT skills, and (3) business expertise in both quantitative K-12 data reporting at the district, state, and federal level, including but not limited to PEIMS (TSDS) reporting, accountability, Student Information Systems, Human Resources Information Systems, and formative and summative assessment data. The role requires proven success with transforming complex datasets into accessible visualizations or analytics tools in multiple platforms, as well as data cleaning, processing, and completion of complex high-profile requests with minimal lead time. This role will be responsible for range of deliverables including data sharing, transformation (ETL), and data management initiatives as identified by the Executive Director, plus meta-level data curation tasks such as the development of code books, data dictionaries, and maintaining team standards for documentation/methodology

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads and project-manages data and analytics work with data analysts, data technicians, 
• IT, academia, vendor representatives, consultants, auditors, and practitioners.
• Directs a cross-functional data team who lead initiatives as identified by the Director 2 for 
• Data Science and Compliance, including data sharing, data transformation, and data 
• management, as well as accessing, transforming, coding, and producing visualizations
• and analytics tools.
• Collects and analyzes large datasets from various sources as required for data 
• validation, analysis, evaluation, or implementation of projects. Provides coaching and 
• technical advice to team regarding querying large and complex data sets, writing 
• calculated fields, and using data blending, relationships, joins, and documentation of 
• methodology for replication.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

• Works with data warehouses, data integration and data modeling to support business 
• decisions, leveraging data to gain key insights into opportunities for growth.
• Effectively project plan future visualizations that align to the vision and mission of the 
• organization in collaboration with management.
• Conducts complex data validations with a strong aptitude for pattern and data validation 
• detection, using a variety of database management and statistical software; Conducts 
• quality assurance processes for team to verify data work is being done effectively; 
• provides analytical and business support and technical advice to other teams within and 
• external to HISD.
• Establishes and grows relationships with other District leaders to ensure services 
• provided by the team are timely and well-aligned to the vision and mission of the 
• organization, in collaboration with management.
• Creates systems to ensure the team stays up to date with best practices in data 
• management and data visualization, including building a culture of student privacy and 
• data security.
• Works in collaboration with department Directors to ensure vision for the work is 
• executed and provides support to other HISD teams such as the Public Information 
• Requests office. 
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; Master’s Degree preferred. Data science is rapidly emerging field that requires ongoing professional development in analytics, visualization, and data management. Additional annual training is also recommended in state and federal accountability and TSDS standards.

WORK EXPERIENCE

3 years Experience supervising and leading teams, proficiency in a variety of statistical software packages and proficiency in coding languages. Work with TSDS data sets strongly preferred.

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Microsoft Office, Office Equipment Experience with SQL and NoSQL databases, SPSS, Stata, Excel, R (Posit), Python and/or MATLAB PowerBI and Tableau both preferred

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic oversight for multiple departments and/or a major division or for the entire district. Provides strategic direction and develops long-range plans which impact multiple departments or divisions. Using in-depth knowledge of multiple disciplines, identifies and evaluates high impact issues, and provides strategy and direction to a major functional area or multiple departments. Establishes programs and policies, and ensures integration of operational objectives across multiple, major departments, program areas and possibly district-wide.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas. May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have considerable impact to multiple divisions or the district causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Negotiate and influence - interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Regularly assesses and diffuses complex, and escalated customer issues. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for solving systemic customer service problems. Regularly explores alternative and creative solutions to meeting the needs of the customer within HISD's policies and guidelines.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements. Ability to carry and/or lift less than 15 pounds.