Data Scientist I Outreach Analytics

If youre passionate about building a better future for individuals communities and our countryand youre committed to working hard to play your part in building that futureconsider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online competency-based degree programs WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century one that has received praise from academic industry government and media leaders. Whatever your role working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

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:

Job Description

Job Duties

• 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.

KSAs

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in a related discipline
• 3 years of related experience in Data Analysis Business Intelligence Data Science Statistics Decision Intelligence Research Learning Science or Behavioral/Cognitive Psychology.
• Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.

*This role is onsite at WGU HQ in Salt Lake City Utah*

Job Description Disclaimer: This position description provides the major duties/responsibilities requirements and working conditions for the position. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position however management reserves the right to revise or change as necessary to meet organizational needs. Other responsibilities may be assigned when circumstances require.

Position & Application Details

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.