Job Title: Data Technician

Location: Teacher Administrative Center, located at 3215 Cuming St., Omaha, NE 68131

Reports To: Executive Director, Research

Work Schedule/FLSA Status: 12-month / Salaried exempt

Salary Schedule: Technician 4 91D, Starting salary = $81,579.08. Salary credit may be awarded for applicable experience.

Position Purpose:

The Research Division, within which the Data Technician would work, is housed in the Department of Accountability and School Improvement (DASI), tasked with equitably improving student outcomes. The Research Division supports the district’s need to document and evaluate many of the district’s programs and practices. It has responsibilities in two general areas: Administrative Research and Instructional Research. Our division has been recognized by external agencies for excellence in data use and reporting, including the Council of Great City Schools, representing our nation’s largest public-school systems. The key to our division’s success is the incredibly capable individuals we hire to work in our open, caring, and supportive work culture. Data Technicians in our division serve our goal by ensuring valid and reliable data are available and intentionally compiled for sensemaking in support of reporting or decision-making needs. This includes the tasks of compiling data for data requests from internal or external individuals. The successful applicant will possess the necessary technical skills (i.e., strong Excel skills and familiarity with SQL, Adobe Acrobat, and visualization software like Tableau), exceptional conscientious, and problem-solving mentality. The Data Technician provides a bridge between raw data and usable insights to improve achievement for all students.

Essential Performance Responsibilities:

Data Preparation, Management, & Integrity

Develop, maintain, and document standardized data processes (e.g., cleaning, validation, merging).

Clean, recode, merge, and/or format datasets (from multiple sources) to prepare them for analysis and reporting.

Monitor data quality and implement error-checking procedures, documenting data limitations as needed, to inform analyses.

Maintain confidentiality of all staff and student data in accordance with FERPA and district policy.

Reporting

Prepare, review, and submit required district, state, and federal reports accurately and on time.

Support reporting needs for internal leadership (Board of Education, etc.).

Create/maintain visualizations, dashboards, or summaries to make data accessible to non-technical audiences.

Communicate data limitations and appropriate uses of information.

Design and maintain dashboards (Tableau or similar platforms), including updating data sources and ensuring accuracy.

Redesign existing reports to improve efficiency, clarity, and alignment with district branding standards.

Technical Support

Assist evaluation specialists and other roles by preparing clean datasets for analysis.

Troubleshoot data discrepancies and collaborate to develop resolutions through collaboration with other departments (e.g., Information Management Services, Student Information Services).

Assist in the development of automated reporting pipelines (SQL, Excel macros, etc.).

Continuous Improvement

Document processes and contribute to knowledge management.

Suggest improvements to workflows, tools, and reporting methods.

Additional Duties: Other duties as assigned by the supervisor or other administrative staff as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment: This position may require the ability to use basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machines. Must always comply with OPS’s guidelines for equipment use.

Travel: Local travel may be required.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

Must be able to respond rapidly to requests.

Must have organization, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Hearing and speaking to exchange information.

Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard.

Seeing to read a variety of materials.

Sitting for extended periods of time.

Bending at the waist, kneeling, or crouching to file and retrieve materials.

Reaching overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally.

Interrelations:

Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors.

Will be working under the direct supervision of the Executive Director to complete day-to-day tasks.

Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.

Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues.

Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance:

For the department to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave.

Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee’s supervisor.

All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools/Omaha School Employees' Retirement System and is appropriate for their position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

A minimum of a high school diploma or GED is required; a bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Experience using Excel, Access, and other Microsoft Office products with a high degree of proficiency.

Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat to edit, combine, and prepare documents for reporting.

Experience working with databases and writing, editing, and/or updating SQL queries for data extraction and analysis, preferred.

Experience creating and maintaining dashboards in Tableau (or similar visualization software such as Power BI), preferred.

Experience in cleaning, processing, and reporting data.

Ability to identify and comprehend information and present it in a format that others with little experience with the data can understand.

Ability to use critical thinking skills and develop alternative solutions to work with imperfect or limited data sources to meet reporting needs.

Ability to coordinate multiple projects and prioritize tasks to be completed within a tight timeframe.

Ability to handle secure information while maintaining confidentiality.

Accuracy on all work products with utmost reliability.

Terms of Employment:

This position is treated as a full-time exempt classified position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies, as those laws and policies may change from time to time. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

The offer of employment is contingent upon:

Obtaining and providing verification of all licenses, certificates, and other requirements for the position (e.g., Paraprofessionals obtaining “Highly Qualified status,” etc.), as identified, and maintaining all licenses, certificates, and requirements for your position throughout employment.

A background check that demonstrates to OPS that the background is acceptable for the position.

Verification of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.

Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (if required for the position offered).

Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required for the position offered).

Successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination to determine the ability to safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position.

Omaha public schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or economic status in its programs, activities, employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131. (531-299-0307)

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact the human resources department at 531-299-0240.