Data Scientist I - Curriculum Analytics

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The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Technical 406

Pay Range: $95900.00 - $143800.00

Job Description

The Institutional Analytics and Research (IAR) team supports and enables most university teams departments and colleges to make data-informed decisions that lead to better student outcomes. Our analysts scientists researchers and managers are distributed across several teams: Faculty Analytics Institutional Research Curriculum Analytics Outreach Analytics and Student Success Analytics.

The Data Scientist is responsible for producing valuable information from very large sets of structured semi-structured and unstructured data. They establish and maintain strong relationships with peers and leaders across IAR Data Engineering Product Management Finance EdTech and Faculty staff. They utilize statistical models machine learning text mining natural language processing and other methods to create predictive models. These models may be integrated into new or existing workflows.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Documents data and analytics needs in projects of medium/high complexity with a student and equity-centered lens collaborating with peers cross-functional partners faculty staff and leaders. Translates user stories into technical requirements.
• Sets and manages expectations about analytics tasks and activities through clear timely and effective communication with partners and stakeholders.
• Identifies adequate data sources and data sets to evaluate hypotheses and produce forecasts.
• Analyzes large data sets from both structured and unstructured sources and develops statistical and predictive models.
• Collaborates with Data Engineering in the development of ETL/ELT processes and data pipelines.
• Identifies investigates and solves complex data issues contributing to the accuracy completeness consistency timeliness and validity of the universitys data.
• Utilizes software scripts and algorithms to perform complex data-related tasks (e.g. importing cleaning transforming analyzing displaying) without human intervention.
• Combines data analysis visualization and narrative structures to convey information in compelling ways that instigate deliberate action.
• Selects and deploys a variety of mathematical models forecasting methods (e.g. time series inferential regression) descriptive statistics and/or classification algorithms to make predictions and identify relationships based on limited sets of data.
• Conveys information effectively to peers partners and senior leaders using a variety of resources and formats (synchronous and asynchronous verbal and written) such as e-mails presentations meeting and workshops.
• Creates and organizes information about processes projects operations data assets and insights from analyses making it accessible in ways that increase the universitys knowledge and efficiency.
• Writes and interprets technical documentation (e.g. Entity-Relationship Conceptual Logical and Physical data models).
• Contributes actively to the enrichment of the universitys data management platforms (e.g. data dictionaries catalogs etc.).
• Tracks and reports own progress dependencies and challenges diligently.
• Designs small-scale solutions and collaborates effectively with other technical specialists (e.g. data engineers) in the construction of data products systems and applications.
• Understands and abides by the relevant policies and methods to access use transform store and delete data in responsible secure and compliant ways.
• Works actively in improving own skills and knowledge through internal and external formal and informal structured and unstructured learning. Is a lifelong learner and embodies a growth mindset.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced SQL proficiency with experience writing queries and subqueries modifying data (INSERT UPDATE DELETE) creating views and knowledge of the different join types filtering sorting aggregation window functions common table expressions (CTE) and performance tuning.
• Ability to interpret and design models that describe how data relate to one another and to the properties of the real-world entities they represent.
• Familiarized with versioning tools in the context of CI/CD (e.g. Github) and deploys models using the universitys machine learning operations (MLOps) self-service capabilities.
• Highly proficient and experienced in using tools like Tableau and Power BI to present data and information utilizing charts graphs and maps in ways that make it easy to understand trends patterns and outliers.
• Experience using Python R and/or Natural Language Processing in an ML environment requiring minimal supervision.
• Skilled at selecting and deploying methods and techniques like A/B Testing.
• Comfortable with common project management methodologies and frameworks (e.g. Waterfall Agile SDLC).
• Proficient in the MS office suite including advanced Excel knowledge.
• Proficient in flowchart and diagramming tools like Miro Visio Lucidchart and similar applications.
• Ability to apply sound judgment systems-thinking and analytical skills to assess risks perform root-cause analyses make recommendations and drive decisions that contribute to the achievement of the universitys objectives.
• Ability to perform assigned tasks with high levels of autonomy reliability self-direction and with a bias for action. Manages conflicting and concurrent activities with sporadic support from their leader(s).
• Knowledgeable of the universitys most relevant KPIs and the drivers that affect them.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree
• 3 years of related experience in Data Analysis Business Intelligence Data Science Statistics Decision Intelligence Research Learning Science or Behavioral/Cognitive Psychology.

Work Location:

• This position is in-office in Salt Lake City UT.

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Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical dental vision telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual 11 paid holidays and other paid leaves including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. Its not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.