Data Engineer - Research And Evaluation

Data Engineer
Research & Evaluation - 63 E Main St
Mesa Public Schools is an award-winning district and voted Best Place to Work in Mesa. With over 9,000 employees, we are the largest school district in Arizona. Families have sent generations of students through our schools, as we are the premier educational choice in Arizona.
Overview: Mesa Public Schools is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Data Engineer. You will assume a strategic role in developing and maintaining the data infrastructure for our K-12 system. Working closely with cross-functional teams, including a Senior Research Analyst and Business Intelligence Lead, a Senior Data Engineer and other Research and reporting team members, you will lead the creation and implementation of a cohesive and extensive enterprise-wide data model. Collaborating with a diverse team of data experts and educators, you will play a pivotal role in leveraging data insights to enhance educational outcomes.
Base Salary:
$71,710.00
Performance Pay:
Available annually
New hire experience:
1% of the base hourly rate granted for each year of verified like experience (within ten years) beyond the requirement, up to a five-year maximum
New hire education:
1% of the base hourly rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position
Class/Calendar:
D61-IS, 12 months
Hours:
Full-time
FSLA:
Exempt
Benefits:
Vacation, sick leave, holidays, matched retirement, health and life insurance
QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, STEM, or other related field, advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 2 years of data analysis and/or engineering in a K-12 educational system or related field
• Proficient knowledge of data analytics, data wrangling and data blending/integration
• Proficient knowledge of data visualization and/or reporting tools (e.g. PowerBI, Tableau, IBM Cognos, etc)
• Ability to write and utilize SQL to extract, ingest and manipulate data
• Understanding of database and cloud architectures, with experience in cloud-based data storage and warehousing.
• Demonstrated ability to independently conduct ad-hoc data analysis and reporting
• Experience creating performance reports/dashboard for non-technical team members
• Proficient in data processing technologies and agile development processes
• Strong analytical abilities and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of computer applications in the use of Research and analysis ( Excel, R, etc)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Technical Expertise and Cloud Adoption

• Provide technical knowledge for major data strategies, driving the organization's success in adopting modern data models and cloud technologies.
• Guide technical architecture for projects such as data replication, metadata management, DBaaS, data modeling and data security.
• Develop proof-of-concept prototypes and initial implementation models to support the vision and strategy of the district.
• Leverage your deep understanding of SQL and knowledge of development languages (e.g. Python, R) to guide the development and maintenance of Data Engineering pipelines, supporting modeling and analytics needs.
• Define and maintain reusable data development patterns, engineering standards, version control and data frameworks.

Database Technology and Platform Designs

• Apply expert knowledge of database technology to support legacy DBMSs and design overall data platform solutions.
• Utilize knowledge and understanding of ETL/ELT processes to create and/or expand the current data model
• Utilize a variety of technologies, including SQL, R, Python, and other relevant tools, to manage and analyze large amounts of education data.
• Implement data hygiene practices to ensure statistical efficiency, accuracy, and quality in educational data.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with global and district-level stakeholders, including educators, IT professionals, compliance teams, and risk management, to identify, support, and implement data-driven projects.
• Establish relationships with IT leaders, systems leaders, Data Engineers, and technical specialists to advance proposed architectural solutions.

Team Membership

• Represent the team in architectural discussions, focusing on data aggregation, data flows, deployment strategies and governance.
• Have a passion for innovation with a test and learn mindset, ensuring the team remains adaptable to evolving educational needs.

Agile Development and Delivery

• Embrace Agile methodologies in the development process, supporting the effective scaling of digital pilot initiatives from ideation to working pilots and deliverables.

Other Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Research and Evaluation team to build consistent, accurate and available data solutions in specialized software (i.e. PowerBI, Tableau, Excel, etc)
• Independently define problem statements and extract user requirements for data analysis and business intelligence solutions
• Develop and present analyses and reports using data visualization and storytelling best practices
• Produce documentation to ensure consistency, quality and transparency across the district
• Participate in data quality issue analysis and resolution recommendations
• Combine data files from multiple sources efficiently and effectively to create a clean data set for analysis
• Write custom SQL queries
• Foster a continuous learning, professional development and growth mindset amongst team members
• Maintain department procedures and policies in alignment with district, state and federal statutes and regulations
• Prepare various reports for professional, technical, and non-technical audiences to provide and/or convey information
• Collaborate with senior engineer and other team members in the department to ensure accurate visualizations, data elements and consistent practices are adhered to.
• Produce documentation to ensure data consistency, quality and transparency across the district
• Provide training on the proper and effective use of data tools
• Assist other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities

SUPERVISION
Senior Data Engineer
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ORGANIZATION: The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex or gender, sexual orientation, disability, age or marital status.