Data Specialist
The Case Method Institute for Education and Democracy is a pioneering nonprofit organization that works with over 1,300 teachers nationwide to bring the case method pedagogy, and Harvard College cases on the "History of American Democracy," to over 80,000 high school students. (Please visit www.cmi.org to learn more, or click on the CMI profile in Handshake.)
As the Institute expands rapidly, its data management and analysis needs continue to deepen and evolve. The Institute is seeking a Data Specialist with familiarity with and/or comfort learning software systems and data processes, and a general aptitude for tackling new projects and engaging with the broader mission of our program. Specifically, the Institute’s Data Specialist will play a key role in the organization’s ability to continuously assess and improve the effectiveness of our efforts, particularly as we grow. The Data Specialist will work with the Director of Research to expand, refine, and systematize the Institute’s data collection; to analyze performance- and impact-related data to identify trends, inform projections, and guide support for individual teachers as well as the program as a whole; and to develop and implement strategies for ensuring that the Institute can efficiently and effectively process data at significantly greater scale. The Data Specialist would also work to enhance and streamline our data software capacities, possessing either familiarity with or a willingness to learn platforms such as Sharepoint, Qualtrics, and Quickbase, and how to integrate data across platforms.
This role would be the ideal fit for someone with a background in data processing and analysis who is excited about applying these skills in a mission-driven organization dedicated to transforming high school teaching, enhancing student outcomes, and strengthening the democratic foundation of our country.
Key qualifications for this role include:
➢ Passion for mission – demonstrates a deep commitment to the Institute’s mission to improve education and advance democracy, and evinces a profound respect for teachers and students
➢ Written communication – displays a proven strength in written communication and a willingness to iterate on written documents in consultation with other team-members
➢ Technical Skills – ideally comfortable with programming languages useful for the processing of large datasets such as R, SQL, and/or Python, and able to master new technical skills quickly and independently; familiarity with Text Analysis and STATA a plus
➢ Big Data Experience – experience structuring, cleaning, and analyzing large datasets, and generating data models that can measure and assess complex outcomes
➢ Curiosity and Problem-solving – able to and enthusiastic about analyzing data to identify interesting questions, understand problems, and implement creative solutions
➢ Attention to Detail – consistently submits error-free work, independently correcting mistakes
➢ Organization and Adaptability – able to balance many competing priorities to adjust quickly