What are the responsibilities and job description for the Data Analyst position at Wichita Public Schools - USD259?
Description
Job Title: Data Analyst - Power BI, Assessments, and Research
Position Function: The Data Analyst - Power BI, Assessments, and Research creates intuitive, data-driven solutions that inform decision-making across Wichita Public Schools. Guided by the district's mission-to prepare each student for life, college, and career through an innovative and impactful educational experience-and its shared beliefs in Student Success, Safety and Belonging, Family and Community Collaboration, Visionary Leadership, and the Common Good, this role centers on developing high-quality Power BI reports and dashboards. The Data Analyst collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to ensure data accuracy, champion a district-wide data culture, and support key priorities such as increasing graduation rates, college/career preparation, and fostering an inclusive school environment.
Employee Punctuality And Appearance
Equipment: This position may require the use of standard office equipment (computers, copiers, scanners) as well as Microsoft software and cloud-based tools (e.g., Azure, Teams). Must always comply with Wichita Public Schools¿ guidelines for equipment use and data security.
Travel: Limited travel between school sites and central offices may be required to consult with stakeholders, provide on-site training, and collaborate with project teams.
Physical And Mental Demands
Essential Performance Responsibilities:
Job Title: Data Analyst - Power BI, Assessments, and Research
Position Function: The Data Analyst - Power BI, Assessments, and Research creates intuitive, data-driven solutions that inform decision-making across Wichita Public Schools. Guided by the district's mission-to prepare each student for life, college, and career through an innovative and impactful educational experience-and its shared beliefs in Student Success, Safety and Belonging, Family and Community Collaboration, Visionary Leadership, and the Common Good, this role centers on developing high-quality Power BI reports and dashboards. The Data Analyst collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to ensure data accuracy, champion a district-wide data culture, and support key priorities such as increasing graduation rates, college/career preparation, and fostering an inclusive school environment.
Employee Punctuality And Appearance
- Must perform assigned duties and work all scheduled hours unless an approved leave is granted
- Any deviation from assigned hours requires supervisor approval.
- Required to dress in a manner reflecting a positive image of Wichita Public Schools and appropriate for a data analysis role
Equipment: This position may require the use of standard office equipment (computers, copiers, scanners) as well as Microsoft software and cloud-based tools (e.g., Azure, Teams). Must always comply with Wichita Public Schools¿ guidelines for equipment use and data security.
Travel: Limited travel between school sites and central offices may be required to consult with stakeholders, provide on-site training, and collaborate with project teams.
Physical And Mental Demands
- Ability to work in standard office environments
- Occasional lifting of 20-30 lbs
- Extended periods of computer-based work
- Must be able to adapt to evolving technology and processes
- Additional demands upon request of supervisor
- Technical Proficiency:
- Familiarity with Power BI (Power Query, DAX, dataflows) and SQL for data extraction and transformation
- Basic understanding of semantic data modeling (star schemas, dimensions/facts) without requiring extensive Kimball-based warehousing knowledge
- Knowledge of Microsoft tech stack (e.g., Azure services, Excel, SharePoint)
- Data Analysis & Visualization:
- Ability to interpret data trends, create compelling visualizations, and communicate actionable insights to non-technical audiences
- Knowledge of SPSS, SAS, Python, or R is a plus, but not required
- Collaboration & Communication:
- Excellent interpersonal skills to engage diverse teams, listen to stakeholder needs, and share insights effectively
- Ability to work in a team-based environment, contributing positively to shared goals and missions
- Alignment with District Mission & Beliefs:
- Commitment to the Wichita Public Schools mission of preparing every student for success
- Respect for the district's shared beliefs on Student Success, Safety and Belonging, Family and Community Collaboration, Visionary Leadership, and the Common Good
- Regular contact with district personnel, external vendors, and community partners
- Works under the direct supervision of the Information Systems and Technology Department and may collaborate with other departments to meet broader district objectives
- Expected to handle all stakeholder interactions with professionalism, tact, and positivity
Essential Performance Responsibilities:
- Power BI Development & Management:
- Build, maintain, and optimize Power BI datasets, dashboards, and reports to address district needs in assessments, research, and program evaluation.
- Employ basic data modeling principles in the semantic layer (star schemas, dimensions/facts) to ensure high-performance analytics without requiring extensive Kimball-based warehousing knowledge.
- Establish governance and security standards for Power BI content in alignment with Wichita Public Schools' data privacy obligations (FERPA/HIPAA).
- Data Integration & Semantic Modeling:
- Collaborate with stakeholders to clarify data requirements, focusing on identifying key metrics, dimensions, and hierarchies for meaningful analytics outcomes.
- Maintain consistent metadata and naming conventions to streamline data consumption and foster a shared understanding of district data.
- Work closely with the Data Engineer & Architect to integrate new data sources and refine existing pipelines for improved data accuracy and accessibility.
- Analytics & Visualization:
- Use Power BI, SQL, and related tools to perform data analyses, identifying trends to inform district improvement strategies tied to academic achievement and student well-being.
- Design visual narratives that highlight critical insights, supporting data-driven decision-making for principals, teachers, and district leadership.
- Align analyses with the district's mission, vision, and shared beliefs to ensure recommendations support improved graduation rates, postsecondary readiness, and safe, inclusive school environments.
- Automated Data Processes:
- Develop and maintain automated workflows for data transformation and report updates, reducing manual intervention and improving reliability.
- Proactively monitor dashboards for accuracy and performance, addressing issues swiftly to maintain data integrity.
- Collaboration & Training:
- Work closely with internal teams (IT, Curriculum, Operations) and external vendors to scope and deliver relevant Power BI solutions.
- Participate in project planning activities, including timelines and resource allocation, ensuring alignment with district strategic priorities.
- Provide training and support to district staff on data literacy and Power BI usage, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and self-service analytics.
- Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Analytics, or a related field required
- Understanding of relational database concepts; basic exposure to data modeling techniques in a semantic layer context
- Proficiency with Microsoft Power BI, including DAX and Power Query
- Solid working knowledge of SQL (T-SQL, PL/SQL)
- Familiarity with additional Microsoft tools (Azure Data Factory, Excel, SharePoint) a plus
- Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate (PL-300) or equivalent preferred
- Other relevant credentials-such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900), Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104), or Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP)-are beneficial
- Strong organizational skills and ability to balance multiple projects
- Excellent communication skills to explain complex data in an accessible manner