Data Scientist

BACKGROUND

Elevate Postsecondary Partnership (“the Partnership”) is a dynamic, cross-sector collaboration facilitated by the United Way of the Blue Mountains. Together, we work to strengthen the educational pipeline from cradle to career, ensuring every student in the Blue Mountain region has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Through the Horizons Regional Grant, the Partnership is implementing a multi-year strategy to increase postsecondary enrollment and success. This work has revealed a critical need: a coordinated, regional data system that integrates administrative, intervention-level, and postsecondary data to support real-time decision-making and longitudinal studies.

To meet this need, the Partnership is collaborating with the Ed-Fi Alliance, Education Analytics, and the Washington School Information Processing Cooperative (WSIPC) to build a standards-based Operational Data Store (ODS) and relational data warehouse. The Data Scientist will lead the development, integration, and use of this system to drive research, inform programmatic decisions, and build long-term regional data capacity.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Data Scientist will work for the United Way of the Blue Mountains and will play a central role in building the Elevate region’s data infrastructure and supporting partners’ use of data to improve high school-to-postsecondary outcomes. This position combines advanced technical expertise, research design, data engineering, visualization, and strategic leadership.

The Data Scientist will work closely with Elevate staff, consultants, WSIPC, Ed-Fi, Education Analytics, and local school district partners to build a sustainable data system; answer key research questions; develop dashboards and reports; support data governance; and build data literacy across the region. This role also provides hands-on technical assistance, professional learning, and coaching to K–12, postsecondary, and community partners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Data System Development & Integration

Collaborate with WSIPC, Ed-Fi, and Education Analytics to design and implement an Ed-Fi–enabled ODS and relational data warehouse.

Integrate administrative data from multiple districts with locally held intervention-level data (e.g., College & Career Readiness Advisor tracker, senior exit surveys).

Support and adapt College & Career Readiness Advisor tracker in Airtable.

Build and maintain data pipelines, data standards, and documentation to ensure consistent, high-quality data across the region, including systematizing for sustainability.

Support FOYOST implementation by facilitating NSC data sharing and supporting district participation.

Assist partners in aligning local data systems with Ed-Fi standards to support interoperability.

Conduct data cleaning, verification, processing, and standardization across multiple sources.

Ensure compliance with FERPA, COPPA, CEDARS, ERDC, and other state and federal regulations and reporting.

Identify challenges and areas for improvement.

1. Research, Analysis & Reporting

Design and conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses to answer the Partnership’s priority research questions.

Build dashboards, visualizations, and reports using data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, Podium, Rally, or similar platforms.

Produce infographics, communication products, and data stories for diverse audiences.

Coordinate survey administration and analysis to gather qualitative insights from partners and students.

Support the Local Measurement, Learning, and Evaluation (LMLE) partner in analyzing intervention effectiveness and dosage.

Prepare reports and presentations for the Partnership, school boards, funders, elected officials, and community stakeholders.

1. Partner Technical Assistance

Provide hands-on support to K–12, postsecondary, and regional partners in using data to guide strategies and improve outcomes.

Facilitate data-informed conversations to interpret findings, set goals, and develop action plans.

Coach partners in aligning data use with targeted universalism and continuous improvement frameworks.

Support partners in adopting data governance protocols and best practices.

Assist partners in aligning local data collection and reporting processes with Ed-Fi standards.

Support exploration and responsible use of AI tools that integrate with Ed-Fi standards.

Translate complex technical concepts into accessible, actionable insights for non-technical audiences.

1. Professional Learning & Capacity Building

Design and deliver professional learning sessions, workshops, and toolkits on data literacy, visualization, and data-informed decision-making.

Train partners on how to use visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Excel, Podium, Rally) and interpretation of postsecondary readiness metrics.

Provide ongoing technical assistance to small and rural districts with limited data capacity.

1. Governance, Security & Collaboration

Collaborate with Partnership and partners on ongoing data literacy, capacity, and use, including attending all Partnership meetings and providing data updates.

Support development of governance structures, including MOUs, data sharing agreements, and common data definitions.

Collaborate with WSIPC and legal partners to ensure data security, privacy, and compliance.

Participate in statewide conversations about Ed-Fi implementation and share lessons learned with other regions.

Contribute to the emerging statewide Research Practice Partnership by modeling effective use of Ed-Fi standards.

Work collaboratively and flexibly with internal teams and external partners to align data and improvement efforts with regional strategic goals.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Education Research, Public Policy, Computer Science, or a related field.

Minimum five years of experience in data analysis, research, or data systems development, preferably in education or public sector settings.

Strong understanding of Washington State and national K–12 data systems (CEDARS, SIS platforms, ERDC, National Student Clearinghouse).

Demonstrated experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Knowledge of basic database design and build principles like data modeling and extact-transform-load (“ETL”) processes.

Proficiency with SQL, Python, R, or similar analytical tools.

Experience with data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI, Excel).

Experience coordinating surveys and analyzing qualitative data.

Ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences.

Strong facilitation, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and complex projects.

Familiarity with Ed-Fi, or other education data standards.

Commitment to equity, data ethics, and supporting rural and underserved communities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Education Research, Public Policy, Computer Science, or a related field.

Experience designing or leading professional learning on data literacy or decision-making.

Experience with Education Analytics’ EDU/Stadium platform.

Experience with Airtable.

Knowledge of continuous improvement frameworks and targeted universalism.

Understanding of data governance, sharing, privacy, and security principles.

Experience coaching organizations through interoperability transitions.

OTHER

This is a full-time, year-round position based in the Blue Mountain region. Some travel to school districts, partner meetings, and statewide convenings is required. Occasional evening or weekend availability may be needed for presentations or community events.

COMPENSATION

Total compensation will range from $95,000 to $110,000, depending on qualifications, experience, and benefit selections and will include:

Sick, vacation, and holiday pay

Retirement contribution

Mileage reimbursement

Contribution towards insurance plan

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit the following materials to amy@uwbluemt.org with the subject line “DATA SCIENTIST APPLICATION”:

Cover letter

Resume

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. United Way is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Pay: $95,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Walla Walla, WA 99362

• Paid time off
• Retirement plan