SAS Programmer / Researcher (Data Analyst IV)

MISSION: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

Core Values

• We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students.
• We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students.
• We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students.
• We are Servant Leaders: Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them.
  
  

New hires, re-hires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees in their same classification. Offers will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications and will thoughtfully consider internal pay equity for agency staff who perform similar duties and have similar qualifications. The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates who exceed the requirements and qualifications for the role. The maximum salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.

Position Overview: This SAS Programmer/Researcher works within the Division of Research and Analysis performing complex data analysis through SAS programming and data research work in areas of educational performance and accountability development (e.g., graduation, dropout, grade-level retention, and other student status indicators). This work supports the measurement of how well school districts are functioning and students are learning in the Texas public school system.

The Programmer/Researcher is expected to write, revise, and implement SAS code, ensure data quality, review the programming of other team members, and prepare data usage instructions. This position is also responsible for assisting in project planning, designing, and implementation, while producing written annual reports for the public. This position also supports policy research through data analysis and research reporting, interpreting, and providing results to districts and the public, providing technical consultation, and responding to ad hoc requests from internal and external customers. The ideal candidate is knowledgeable in research and statistical analysis, a skilled SAS programmer, detail-oriented, self-driven, and works well in a team environment as well as independently.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Please note that a resume, tailored cover letter, and short answer responses are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check. 

Essential Functions

Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.

• Prepare/Review Reports: Uses division publication standards to prepare and/or review technical reports, executive summaries, publication abstracts, professional presentations, and/or web releases.
• Perform Analytical Tasks: Performs analytical tasks on time and to a high degree of quality and accuracy, including implementing and understanding business decisions, creating clean and well-documented SAS code, and following unit’s processing rules.
• Perform Quality Checks: Performs accuracy and quality control checks of SAS programs and output, including those generated by other team members, on time with a high degree of quality and accuracy.
• Documentation: Documents project data, decisions, programs (SAS), and outputs.
• Public Information / Ad Hoc Requests: Provides technical assistance, data analysis, and consultation to internal and external agency partners; including ad hoc requests for information from agency staff, the general public, Education Service Centers, school districts, parents, students, the legislature, and others.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Degree field(s): Major course work in education, sociology, psychology, psychometrics, and/or statistics preferred
• Experience: At least three (3) years of experience in research, evaluation, or statistical analysis, including a minimum of one (1) year of experience in SAS programming
• Substitutions: Education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis
  
  

Other Qualifications

• Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military
• Knowledge of the research process, including experience with problem identification, project planning and design, data collection and management, statistical analysis, and reporting
• Experience with complex SAS programming, including troubleshooting/debugging of programs and preparing data for web publication
• Experience with performing quality control checks (e.g., reviewing own and others’ code and output, parallel programming)
• Experience with MS Office suite, especially Word and Excel and experience working with large, institutional databases
• Ability to work in a team environment and maintain working relationships with a variety of people and groups
• Strong research writing skills with ability to synthesize literature, data analyses, and results
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to present research findings effectively
• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving abilities.
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback, and continuously improve
• Knowledge of web programming languages (e.g., html) preferred
• Experience analyzing legislation and developing policy options preferred
  
  

As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the military employment preference.

To review the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to each job classification series in the State’s Position Classification Plan (provided by the State Auditor's Office), please access the Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) Guide and click on the military “occupational category” that corresponds with the state classification in this job posting title.

This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency.

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. Please add "capps.recruiting@cpa.texas.gov" and "@tea.texas.gov" to your safe senders list to ensure you receive email notifications from our talent acquisition team and/or hiring division regarding your candidacy.