What are the responsibilities and job description for the Data Specialist position at Downtown Women's Center?
The Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) ends homelessness through safe housing and supportive services centered on wellness, employment, and advocacy. For nearly 50 years, DWC has led Los Angeles in providing women-and-survivor-centered housing and care that has ended homelessness for thousands of people. DWC’s proven model helps people move from crisis to long-term stability, while strengthening communities and improving systems. For more information, visit
https://downtownwomenscenter.org/
Summary
DWC seeks a full-time Data Specialist to support our data-driven work to end homelessness. This role helps ensure we clearly understand and communicate the impact of our programs, meet contract and grant requirements, and strengthen how we use data across the organization.
The Data Specialist works closely with program and operations teams to support data collection, maintain and monitor internal databases, and develop reports that reflect program outcomes and community impact. This role plays a key part in improving data quality, supporting compliance, and helping teams use data to inform decisions and strengthen services.
A strong candidate will bring experience in data collection and analysis, an understanding of social service programs, and a commitment to using data to support continuous improvement. This position reports to the Measurement and Evaluation Manager.
Essential Functions
Competencies
The Data Specialist does not supervise staff.
Work Environment
This role operates across both office and program environments within Downtown Women’s Center.
Downtown Women’s Center operates multiple program and administrative locations throughout the Skid Row neighborhood of Downtown Los Angeles. The organization’s primary hub is located on San Pedro Street (SP), where participant-facing services, staff offices, and Permanent Supportive Housing are co-located.
Programs at the SP site include the Day Center, Women’s Health Clinic, kitchen and meal services, Trauma Recovery Center, supportive services, and housing, among others.
This role primarily works in a professional office setting and routinely uses standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and printers. The position may also require engagement with program spaces and direct interaction with participants and residents to support data collection and reporting.
While some work may take place at other DWC locations or in the community, all employees may be expected to attend trainings, meetings, and other work-related activities at the San Pedro (SP) site
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate verbally and listen. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
The role requires frequent use of a computer, including extended periods of screen time, and involves prolonged sitting and sustained focus and attention to detail.
The position may also require lifting up to 20 pounds, as well as bending, reaching, and standing as needed.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional earlier start times (as early as 8:00 a.m.).
Work Schedule
This is a hybrid role with a minimum of three (3) onsite days per week. Employees may be required to work onsite full-time as needed for training, meetings, audits, or other operational needs.
Flexibility is required, particularly during audits, reporting cycles, and special projects. Work schedules and onsite expectations may be adjusted based on business needs and at the discretion of leadership.
Travel
Travel for conferences and trainings may occur. Travel for local meetings is required.
Required Education And Experience
Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. DWC does not sponsor employment visas, such as H-1B.
Fair Chance Act Statement
Downtown Women’s Center will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Downtown Women’s Center is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Right’s Department Fair Chance Act webpage.
Downtown Women’s Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants and actively seeks candidates who reflect the rich diversity of the communities that we serve. We are committed to a work environment that embraces and promotes individuality and inclusion. We believe that diversity and inclusion of varied perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences is essential to our organization’s effectiveness, and allows us to serve our clients in the respectful, responsive, and understanding way that they deserve. We define diversity in broad terms to include race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental or physical disability, marital status, pregnancy, military and veteran status, medical condition, geography, socio-economic status, and other unique attributes that make us who we are.
Downtown Women’s Center complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice
https://downtownwomenscenter.org/
Summary
DWC seeks a full-time Data Specialist to support our data-driven work to end homelessness. This role helps ensure we clearly understand and communicate the impact of our programs, meet contract and grant requirements, and strengthen how we use data across the organization.
The Data Specialist works closely with program and operations teams to support data collection, maintain and monitor internal databases, and develop reports that reflect program outcomes and community impact. This role plays a key part in improving data quality, supporting compliance, and helping teams use data to inform decisions and strengthen services.
A strong candidate will bring experience in data collection and analysis, an understanding of social service programs, and a commitment to using data to support continuous improvement. This position reports to the Measurement and Evaluation Manager.
Essential Functions
- Support accurate and consistent data collection and reporting best practices across all programs
- Monitor, maintain, and query program data in internal systems such as HMIS Clarity, CHAMP, Exym, ClientTrack, Apricot, CalJobs, etc.
- Partner with program staff to track and validate data on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis (e.g., participants served, services provided)
- Conduct data collection activities, including direct engagement with participants and residents as needed to ensure accuracy and completeness
- Support and maintain DWC’s data dictionary as well as other database training manuals and guides, including troubleshooting and providing guidance for staff
- Train and support staff on data collection practices and compliance requirements, including database/EHR usage
- Aggregate and analyze data for grant reporting to public and private funders
- Ensure data collection and reporting aligns with contract and funding requirements
- Coordinate compliance reporting for internal and external stakeholders
- Support preparation for ad-hoc data requests, as well as audits and external reviews
- Maintain data infrastructure, develop wireframes and engage with technical partners to support dashboard projects
- Develop and share reports to support internal decision-making, including reporting for leadership and the Board of Directors
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of DWC’s mission
Competencies
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams)
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams
- Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and data analytic skills
- High level of organization and attention to detail
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines
- Technical proficiency with data systems and databases
The Data Specialist does not supervise staff.
Work Environment
This role operates across both office and program environments within Downtown Women’s Center.
Downtown Women’s Center operates multiple program and administrative locations throughout the Skid Row neighborhood of Downtown Los Angeles. The organization’s primary hub is located on San Pedro Street (SP), where participant-facing services, staff offices, and Permanent Supportive Housing are co-located.
Programs at the SP site include the Day Center, Women’s Health Clinic, kitchen and meal services, Trauma Recovery Center, supportive services, and housing, among others.
This role primarily works in a professional office setting and routinely uses standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and printers. The position may also require engagement with program spaces and direct interaction with participants and residents to support data collection and reporting.
While some work may take place at other DWC locations or in the community, all employees may be expected to attend trainings, meetings, and other work-related activities at the San Pedro (SP) site
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate verbally and listen. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
The role requires frequent use of a computer, including extended periods of screen time, and involves prolonged sitting and sustained focus and attention to detail.
The position may also require lifting up to 20 pounds, as well as bending, reaching, and standing as needed.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional earlier start times (as early as 8:00 a.m.).
Work Schedule
This is a hybrid role with a minimum of three (3) onsite days per week. Employees may be required to work onsite full-time as needed for training, meetings, audits, or other operational needs.
Flexibility is required, particularly during audits, reporting cycles, and special projects. Work schedules and onsite expectations may be adjusted based on business needs and at the discretion of leadership.
Travel
Travel for conferences and trainings may occur. Travel for local meetings is required.
Required Education And Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in public policy, Public Health, Social Work, or Social Science or related field required.
- Master’s degree in public policy, Public Health, International Development, Social Work, or Social Science or related field preferred.
- Experience with data analysis, monitoring, and evaluation
- Strong analytical and technical skills
- Experience with database and information systems
- Strong knowledge of Excel
- Experience with HMIS, preferred
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of government funding/grants and contracts preferred
- Strong administrative skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
- Cultural humility.
- Must be a CA resident and live no more than 80 miles from DWC; must be available for in-person meetings at DWC.
- Current valid California state driver’s license, insurance, with good driving record
- Must provide documentation of a negative TB test result within the last twelve months, on first day of hire.
Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. DWC does not sponsor employment visas, such as H-1B.
Fair Chance Act Statement
Downtown Women’s Center will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Downtown Women’s Center is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Right’s Department Fair Chance Act webpage.
Downtown Women’s Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants and actively seeks candidates who reflect the rich diversity of the communities that we serve. We are committed to a work environment that embraces and promotes individuality and inclusion. We believe that diversity and inclusion of varied perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences is essential to our organization’s effectiveness, and allows us to serve our clients in the respectful, responsive, and understanding way that they deserve. We define diversity in broad terms to include race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental or physical disability, marital status, pregnancy, military and veteran status, medical condition, geography, socio-economic status, and other unique attributes that make us who we are.
Downtown Women’s Center complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice