Data Engineer

Company Description

KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools is part of the growing network of KIPP Public Schools. KIPP Public Schools is a national network of free, open enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to supporting all students to reach their highest aspirations. There are 270 KIPP schools across the nation serving more than 120,000students. Nationally, KIPP students have a 4X higher graduation rate than that of their peers.

KIPP Metro Atlanta currently operates eleven KIPP schools including four primary schools, five middle schools, one K-6 school, and one high school, as well as the KIPP Forward program which supports students through college, career, and beyond. 

Job Description

The KIPP Metro Atlanta Data & Analytics Team is seeking a Data Engineer (DE) to lead the implementation of the regional data and information systems and management strategy. The DE will develop and maintain a robust data model, monitor and troubleshoot core data processing pipelines, and manage KIPP Metro Atlanta’s data tools ecosystem to provide the right data quickly to key stakeholders. The DE is primarily responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure used to operate and scale the data platforms that the organization supports. The ideal candidate will have a laser-like focus on improving the behind-the-scenes structure and flow of key data between all our systems and from systems into cloud-based storage. In partnership with the Director of Analytics, the DE will support programming and designing our business intelligence tool to visualize data effectively for academic and operations staff across the region. The DE will serve as an authoritative voice on data storage and management, providing expert input and troubleshooting support for other key data systems and databases used by other teams across the organization. As a member of a growing organization and team, the DE will collaborate on other cyclical data management, analysis and reporting projects, and systems/process improvement projects.

This is a new position at KIPP Metro Atlanta and is an exciting opportunity to revamp our data integrations strategy and build out our cloud-based data warehouse from the ground up. The ideal candidate is comfortable with building the strategy and driving the execution, often simultaneously, and is passionate about taking on the challenges and opportunities inherent in the current data stack. The DE will report to the Managing Director of Data and Analytics and work closely with a variety of stakeholders, including members of the regional, shared services team. The DE will also manage the Data Systems Manager and seasonal contractors, as needed.

Job Responsibilities:

Data Engineering Strategy and Management

50%

·       Collaborate with Managing Director of Data and Analytics to create a long-term strategy and vision for a full data warehouse and infrastructure within Google Cloud Storage (data model development, ELT custom work, software tools, and documentation strategy), expanding the data domains held in the warehouse to other departments (e.g., Operations, Talent, etc.)

• Own and develop knowledge of current technology stack (e.g., GCS, Trifacta DataPrep, Couchdrop) and analyze and implement new features, fine-tuning, changes or improvements

·       Define and implement necessary processes to consolidate and extract data from disparate sources (via API, ODBC, flat files, etc.) into the Google Cloud Storage ecosystem.

• Design and develop database objects, stored procedures, views, functions, tables, and triggers; ensure their stability, reliability, and performance.
• Build and maintain data pipelines to support school operations, external and internal reporting, and dashboard development.
• Create and troubleshoot ELT (extract, load, transform) scripts in SQL and Python programming languages that process data systems including student information systems, HR information system, academic/assessment systems, operations systems, etc.

·       Develop, test, and maintain database architectures to ensure data integrity standards are met.

·       Maintain and troubleshoot the integrity of data linkages between data source systems and data warehouse, ensuring databases and servers remain stable, accessible, and secure.

·       Develop and maintain documentation such as a data dictionary which describes the contents, formats, and structure of the data warehouse and the relationship between its elements.

·       Identifying, design, and implement internal process improvements: automating manual processes, optimizing data delivery, re-designing infrastructure for greater scalability, etc.

• Ensure ongoing quality of data in databases. Perform quality control on data, designing quality assurance and data validation processes as necessary. Investigate and resolve data quality issues discovered during analysis.
• Collaborate with Director of Technology to foster alignment of technology infrastructure (e.g., system compatibility, etc.) with data strategy and architecture and full data stack.
• Collaborate with MD of Data & Analytics and Director of Analytics in long-term strategy efforts to expand the data domains held in the warehouse to other departments (e.g., Operations, etc.)

·       Ensure organization complies with all state and federal data security policies; Supervise execution of data security protocols as they relate to system integrations and data access.

·       Advocate/escalate system issues to vendor support teams and follow-up on solutions.

·       Manage the relationship and necessary budget for data infrastructure as it grows.

Data Production and Use

20%

• Work closely with Director of Analytics and Data Analysts to increase capacity for data analysis; Assist data analysts in developing SQL queries for reporting and analysis.
• Train Data Analysts on the data warehouse structure, schema, and data dictionary for use in reporting and data visualization.

·       Respond to requests from data analytics team to resolve any issues related to integration failures or errors.

·       Contribute to the design, functionality, access/security, and maintenance of regional data access point (i.e., SOAR website) for stakeholders to gain access to data visualizations and dashboards.

Data System Strategy and Support

20%

·       Support the implementation of the regional data strategy by ensuring information systems are functional and easy to access for all relevant stakeholders, including initial setup and ongoing maintenance of each system or application.

·       Manage data support ticketing system (i.e., Zendesk) and ensure timely response and resolution to all helpdesk requests, stepping in to offer Tier 2 support as needed.

·       Design the strategy for provisioning prioritized data systems, via automation, single sign-on, or manual roster loads (where necessary) using Clever and other systems and approaches.

·       Create annual support plan for regional academic and operations data systems (e.g., Illuminate, Clever), as well as supporting other systems as needed (e.g., assessments, blended learning, nutrition, student health, Google products).

·       Manage the Manager of Data Systems to support annual assessment administration from a technical and system support perspective to ensure accurate and timely assessment data is created at the school level; this includes ensuring collaboration between Manager of Data Systems, regional academic leads, and school-based coordinators.

·       Serve as primary liaison with data and information system vendors to support technical support and troubleshooting issues, escalating support needs from schools to vendor when necessary.

• Identify and develop documentation of best practices around data applications use and systems developed for data entry in relevant systems to ensure consistent and accurate practices.

·       Partner with regional and school operations staff to conduct data quality audits to ensure accurate and complete data is warehoused through student information and other data systems. Resolve data quality issues in partnership with colleagues.

·       Encourage the use of various systems and tools (e.g., creating efficient workflows with data, creating automated solutions for manual processes, etc.) with teachers and school teams by seeking collaboration opportunities to problem-solve issues and support end users.

Leadership and Team Management

10%

• Lead, coach, and develop the Data Systems Manager, whose primary duties are tier 1 support, assessment logistics support, system set-up and rostering, and training on using systems.

·       Serve as expert and contributing member of cross-functional teams on topics such as: system creation and integrations, technology requirements for systems optimal functionality, and system selection (e.g., HRIS system).

·       Participate in a cross-functional data/analytics/compliance team that enables and expedites cross-functional gathering, processing, and acting on relevant evidence from all parts of the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred; Information Science, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 7+ years of professional work experience; 3+ years of experience managing a data warehouse (back-end architecture, front-end interface, tables, views, stored procedures, triggers, et al)
• Expertise in at least one data processing tool (e.g., SQL), query development, and at least one scripting language (e.g., Python, R, Javascript, etc.) required.
• Comfort with modern data architecture including cloud-based warehousing, data lakes, and ELT
• Experience with data reporting and dashboarding tools such as Tableau.
• Experience with the above in an educational context is a plus.
• Outstanding project and product management skills with extraordinary attention to detail
• Passion for working with analysts, designers, and product managers to determine the best way to grow our data model to accommodate new features and tools.
• Experience managing vendor relationships and advocating on behalf of project goals with external stakeholders
• Proven ability to set and meet challenging targets; results-oriented
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills and ability to build meaningful relationships quickly; understanding of user needs
• Ability to convey information in a way that is strategic, honest, timeline, and respectful
• Strategic and analytical thinker; ability to think critically about issues and solutions
• Team-player capable of working both collaboratively and independently
• Thrives in entrepreneurial start-up environment and working conditions; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment while also driving toward clarity and solutions
• Self-starter with demonstrated resourcefulness
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the mission of KIPP Metro Atlanta

Additional Information

Compensation:

We offer a competitive salary that depends on prior experience, as well as a benefits package including

• Healthcare (medical, vision, and dental) 
• Life and Long-term Disability
• Additional Voluntary Supplemental Insurance 
• Enrollment in the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (mandatory for all employees)  

Statement of Non-Discrimination:

KIPP Metro Atlanta is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school.  KIPP Metro Atlanta does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.