Senior Data Analyst (PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR)

Essential Functions

• Serves as a Senior Data Analyst for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).
• Transforms complex data into clear, user-friendly reports and visualizations to communicate key data related to IDEC's mission.
• Oversees the creation and maintenance of advanced analytical models, interactive dashboards, and reporting structures to monitor impact, identify trends, and guide policy and operational decisions.
• Serves as a full line supervisor.
• Maintains compliance with state and federal regulations (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA) regarding data quality, integration, reporting, and rigorous data governance processes for secure, ethical, and transparent data use.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with courses in Data Analytics, Data Science, Education Policy, Statistics, or Economics.  
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the field of data analytics or a closely related field for a public or business organization. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers two (2) years of experience working with data related to Early Childhood services/education.
• Five (5) years of experience with validation, standardization, and integration of complex data from diverse sources.
• Five (5) years of experience with user-centered design of compelling visualizations and spatial analyses to communicate and present complex information and actionable recommendations for diverse audiences.
• Five (5) years of experience with predictive analytics, machine learning techniques, data dashboards and/or analytics for education data, research, or similar disciplines.
• Prefers certification in SQL, Azure based Data Analytic tools, and/or Microsoft Certified Data Analyst.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a criminal history check through the Illinois State Police.
• Requires the ability to use state issued equipment, such as a cell phone, laptop, etc.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.

*The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency:

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) was signed into law in June of 2024 with the focus of making early childhood education and care services simpler, better and fairer for families with young children across the state. During fiscal years FY25 and FY26, IDEC will be working through transitioning data, programs and services from three state agencies – the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), – to IDEC in order to be fully operational by July 2026. Illinois strives to be the best state in the nation to raise a family with young children and IDEC is committed to continue putting children and families center while reducing complexities and finding efficiencies in the system and advancing equity.