Data, Analytics, and Research Analyst

Description

Under the direction of the Director of Research, the Data, Analytics, and Research Analyst supports the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data that informs efforts to improve student outcomes across early childhood, PK-12, and higher education in Dallas County and statewide. The successful candidate will bring real depth in the education and policy context and in research and quantitative methods.

The Analyst will apply and extend that foundation across a wide range of analytic and research approaches over time, from descriptive and business analytics to dashboarding and applied statistical research. They will work closely with the Data and Research team and collaborate with colleagues across Commit who serve districts, higher education institutions, educator preparation programs, policymakers, and community partners. 

This job description is a summary and is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee.

The salary range for this role is $66,000–$78,500 annually.

Please note that for external candidates, the expected salary range is approximately $66,000-$72,000 depending on experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Data Analysis

•  Analyze a variety of education, student outcomes, and workforce data to help identify trends, patterns, and root causes aligned to Commit Partnership priorities. 
• Support the discovery, collection, tracking, and analysis of new and existing project metrics that inform stakeholder action.

2. Research & Methods

• Apply existing strengths in research or analysis while extending them across a range of methods over time, including descriptive and exploratory analysis, business analytics, data visualization and dashboarding, and applied statistical and research techniques.
• Bring sound judgment about how to approach a question and take initiative to learn new methods as project needs evolve.

3. Data Visualization & Dashboarding

• Develop clear visual reports, dashboards, and presentations from both qualitative and quantitative data that communicate complex insights to varied audiences, including district and higher education partners, educator preparation programs, policymakers, students, families, and community members.

4. Communication

•  Create, compile, and edit content for published materials, communications, grant reports and applications, and presentations for multiple audiences. 
• Support the creation and maintenance of slide decks and other materials for team convenings and partner meetings.

5. Collaboration and Partnership

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand business questions and identify meaningful analytical approaches.
• Partner with colleagues and external stakeholders to strengthen data-informed decision-making and build shared analytic capacity.
• Seek feedback, share learning openly, and contribute to a collaborative team culture.

6. Tools

• Use Excel and PowerPoint regularly to support analysis and communication.
• Build proficiency with tools such as Power BI, R, Alteryx, SQL, Python, Tableau, or similar analytics platforms.
• Demonstrate initiative in learning new tools and methodologies as organizational needs evolve.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Public Policy, Economics, Statistics, Data Analytics, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or related field
• 2-3 years of applied research or analyst roles
• Strong quantitative reasoning and the ability to communicate complex findings clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Keen attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy across all aspects of work.
• The ability to think critically and adapt quickly to produce high-quality work in a fast-moving environment.
• A self-starter who manages multiple priorities and communicates proactively up, down, and across the team.
• Comfort with ambiguity and an openness to feedback, mentorship, and continuous learning.
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as a collaborative team member.
• Working knowledge of tools such as Tableau, Power BI, Alteryx, SQL, R, or Python.

Preferred Qualifications

• A graduate degree in data science, statistics and measurement, or education policy; or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience working with education data.
• Experience supporting school districts, nonprofits, public agencies, or consulting organizations.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies or project management practices.

Language Skills

• Ability to understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate need. 
• Ability to communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. 
• Ability to describe in simple terms aspects of background, immediate environment, and matters in areas of immediate need. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to read and write in Standard English. 
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others. 
• Ability to interact with persons of various social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds. 
• Ability to listen perceptively and convey awareness. 
• Ability to interact diplomatically with the public in a continuous public contact setting. 
• Ability to work as part of a team and in a collaborative environment. 
• Ability to maintain level-headedness in the face of resistance and contrary opinions.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate work. 
• Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining organization and quality. 

Work Environment

This position primarily operates in a professional office environment but may require travel to meetings, partner organizations, fundraising events, or community events. The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate.

Physical Activity & Requirements

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use repetitive motions of the wrists, hands and/or fingers. This is a sedentary position; however, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, grasp, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and lift up to 10 pounds.

Hearing, talking and vision abilities required by this job include perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and extensive reading.

Job Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Commit does not sponsor visas of any kind.