What are the responsibilities and job description for the Database & Information Specialist position at Southbridge Public Schools?
Background on Southbridge Public Schools:
Southbridge Public Schools serve approximately 2,200 students in six schools. The district is presently undergoing extensive turnaround at all levels, with the assistance of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This creates unique opportunities for teachers and students. One example is a recently announced, long-term partnership with the University of Connecticut to develop Southbridge Schools to be a national demonstration site for successful implementation of PBIS strategies. Additionally, our district is the recipient of a number of significant grants that are allowing us to creatively redesign Secondary School, curriculum enhancements, improved culture and climate and after-school opportunities for students. If you feel strongly about improving the educational experience for students and have a commitment to social justice, Southbridge Public Schools welcomes you.
More information about the district’s turnaround efforts can be found here.
Job description
The Southbridge Public Schools data department is looking for a candidate to help contribute to development of clean, automated, and sustainable data systems. This role will be responsible for maintaining the data quality housed in our student information system, managing the integrations between data sources, completing DESE state reports, and additional data team tasks as they arise. This will include cleaning current data, reforming data input processes to ensure clean data entry, as well as creating data validations within the database to ensure the sustainability of clean data. This will also include rostering and managing our various online data sources (ex: McGraw Hill, HMH, Clever, etc).
The candidate will be expected to work with a team to troubleshoot the day to day SIS data errors, errors in integrations with data sources, rostering issues, etc.
Responsibilities
Managing Rostering Data/Data Integrations
- Regularly update data sources with rostering data
- Clean up other data sources in preparations for integrations (ex: iReady, Naviance, OneCall, etc.)
- Manage integrations between data sources to ensure clean, up to date data between SIS and data sources
- Ensure all relevant student data from Aspen student information system is maintained in external sources (iReady, McGraw Hill, HMH, ect.)
- Perform new user setup and manage access for digital curriculum platforms through Clever
- Perform new user setup and manage access for student and family Aspen portal accounts
Data Management
- Clean current SIS data
- Create data validations to ensure the sustainability of clean data
- Support master scheduling at all school levels (elementary and secondary)
- Create and manage Aspen reports
- Manage data in integrated platforms (student rosters, student usage, student performance, etc).
- Assist with year-end preparation, student rollover, and new school year setup
State Reporting
- Work with one additional person on District State Reports (PEBT, CRDC, EPIMS, SIMS, SSDR, SCS, etc)
- Responsible for on-time, clean, accurate reports
Ad Hoc/ Day-to-Day Requests
- Troubleshoot day to day rostering data issues including student and teacher access, data quality, and updated rosters
- Assist with the day-to-day requests for access to SIS and other data sources for staff, partners, students, and family
Expected Knowledge & Skills
- Bachelor's Degree, and a minimum of 2 years experience working in data analysis, collection, & reporting.
- Beginner to intermediate level of background in Student Information Systems (Aspen preferred) or other databases
- Strong fluency in Google Suite
- Intermediate level of background in Excel, Google Sheets, Access or something similar (including writing formulas and utilizing pivot tables)
- Knowledge of data quality best practices
- An understanding of Clever or other educational technology data integration services
- Ability to work independently and provide technical leadership on data quality issues
- Solid organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and assignments
- Ability to assess quantitative and qualitative data
- Enthusiastic and quick learner
Preferred Knowledge & Skills
- Demonstrated proficiency in technology applications and database programs including; Aspen SIS and SIF data
- Ability to develop HTML and/ or Java code to integrate ASPEN with additional data sources
- Demonstrated proficiency with data collections with the following state/federal reports: SIMS, EPIMS, SCS, SSDR, SAC, P-EBT and/or CRDC
- Beginner level SQL
Equal Opportunity Employer
Southbridge Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, disability, religion, age, or sexual orientation.
