Jobs

Job Vacancy - Data Officer

Opening Date: September 8, 2023

Closing Date: Until filled              

Expected Start Date: Two weeks from date of offer

Job Title: Data Officer      

Starting Salary: $110,000/annually

Job Description

A data officer works with the executive director, leadership team, and review teams to conduct nonpartisan, objective evaluations of Texas state agencies. As part of Sunset’s evaluation of state government’s efficiency and effectiveness, a data officer takes a deep dive into an agency’s operations by analyzing information governance, assessing data quality, and performing complex data analysis. A data officer evaluates data from Sunset and other state agencies to provide guidance on Sunset’s operations and strategic planning, including future review schedules or fiscal impact analyses related to review activities. A data officer develops policies and standards that can be applied in state agency reviews relating to information governance, data quality, and the use of data for business intelligence and analytics. A data officer provides information and assistance to legislators and their staff as needed.

We are a fun, hard-working team of intellectually curious people who believe in our mission to improve government operations. The Sunset Commission is an equal opportunity employer.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Graduate degree in public policy, law, social sciences, business administration, mathematics, statistics, computer or data science, or a similar field, with training and coursework in statistics, research methods, and data analysis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of master data, metadata, reference data, data warehousing, and business intelligence principles and processes, including technical architecture; enterprise information management processes and methodologies; state and federal laws and regulations relevant to data management and data governance; and operational support of networks, operating systems, Internet technologies, databases, and security applications.
• Strong skills in the use of a computer and applicable software (SPSS, SAS, Tableau).
• Strong communications skills, both oral, and written.
•  Ability to synthesize information and data, identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and develop effective solutions supported by evidence; to develop and evaluate policies and procedures; to prepare reports.

Experience

• Experience conducting quantitative data analysis to measure and draw conclusions regarding organizational or programmatic effectiveness.
• Experience collaborating with external stakeholders and across an organization to define data elements and reporting standards.  
• Experience ensuring that appropriate audit controls exist for data that serves as the source material for reports.   
• Experience ensuring that changes in business practices maintain data system integration and reporting standards.
• Experience ensuring that reports derived from enterprise data consistently use business intelligence and analytics for decision making and strategic planning.
• Experience developing and maintaining controls on data quality and integrity, including the deployment of data quality monitoring systems and processes.
• Experience developing policies and controls for the appropriate protection of enterprise information assets through a defined life cycle.
• Experience with design, integration, and staging of data warehouses and data marts.

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• A doctoral degree in public policy, law, social sciences, business administration, mathematics, statistics, computer or data science, or a similar field, with training and coursework in statistics, research methods, and data analysis.

Skills and Abilities

• Skill presenting complex information to a non-technical audience.
• Ability to define, manage, and control master data and metadata management policies, controls, and standards.
• Ability to identify emerging methods and technologies related to data/information management and analysis.

Benefits

• State of Texas benefits package, including health insurance, employer-matched retirement plan, and paid vacation and sick leave. Dental, vision, and disability insurance; health and dependent care savings accounts; 401(K); and an employee assistance program are also available.
• Small, professional office located in the Capitol Complex in downtown Austin with parking.
• Hybrid remote work based on needs of job.
• Merit increases, bonuses, and opportunities to advance based on individual performance and initiative.
• Emphasis on professional development, both through in-house training and opportunities to attend external training sessions, workshops, and seminars.
• $2,000 relocation bonus for new hires residing 250 miles or more from Austin, TX

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in the data officer position with the Sunset Commission. Our initial application process has two steps. Please read the following instructions carefully before you begin the process.

Step 1

Please submit the following documents to sunset@sunset.texas.gov in Word or PDF format.

1. State of Texas application
2. Your resume
3. Three references with email addresses and phone numbers

If you do not provide all three documents, your application will not be considered further. Please do not submit a cover letter.

Step 2

Applicants who meet the minimum requirements (masters’ degree) will receive a confirmation email containing three questions designed to assess their interest in Sunset and critical thinking skills. You will receive the email within one business day of submitting the documents required under Step 1. Please be sure to check your spam folder for any correspondence from Sunset.

To be considered further, you must submit your responses to the three questions within 48 hours of the email timestamp. Please do not start the application process unless you will have time to answer the questions within the required timeframe. Once submitted, you will not be allowed to revise your responses.

What Happens Next?

A selection committee of Sunset staff will evaluate and score the responses. Based on their qualifications and responses, selected applicants will then be interviewed and undergo a background check.

Hiring Schedule

Sunset typically posts job announcements during the summer after a legislative session (odd-numbered years). However, hiring for Policy Analysts occasionally occurs at other times. Hiring for administrative staff is on an as-needed basis. Information about upcoming hiring and all job postings will be on this page and Work in Texas as soon as available. Please check back regularly.

Policy Analyst Description

Policy Analysts work in teams to review and evaluate the operations of Texas state agencies. Key job duties include developing background research, participating in interviews, analyzing policy and program issues, and developing recommendations to improve agencies under review. Experience in or knowledge of state government and the legislative process, and Masters-level education are preferred.