THECB - Data Analyst III (Academic & Workforce Initiatives)

Job Description

• Your job application must be completely filled out. Resumes do not take the place of the requirement to include this information on the application*

Please provide an attached writing sample that shows your experience in quantitative research.

About the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) works to ensure that all Texans have access to high-quality, affordable higher education opportunities that prepare students for successful careers and strengthen the states workforce and economy. Through collaboration with colleges, universities, policymakers, and education partners across Texas, THECB advances initiatives that expand educational opportunity, promote student success, and support the future of higher education.

General Description:

Performs data analysis, research, and program evaluation focused on the impact and performance of the Carl D. Perkins Basic Grant Program (Perkins V) and other career and technical education (CTE)-related grants administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Examines whether grant-funded activities strengthen CTE program quality and improve student academic, technical, credential, and workforce outcomes.

Compiles, links, and analyzes grant, institution, program, student, credential, and workforce data to assess implementation and outcomes across institutions, programs of study, student populations, and grant cycles. Analyzes measures relevant to Perkins V and CTE, including participation and concentration, postsecondary retention and placement, recognized postsecondary credential attainment, and enrollment in programs leading to nontraditional fields.

Develops and carries out defined evaluation and performance-analysis projects using appropriate descriptive, statistical, and econometric methods. Produces dashboards, reports, policy briefs, presentations, and other analytical products that help agency leaders and program staff improve grant design, implementation, monitoring, technical assistance, and resource decisions. Works under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Director of Impact Analytics.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

Provides professional analytical support to the Director of Impact Analytics and collaborates with agency divisions and educational institutions to advance the goals of Building a Talent Strong Texas through effective CTE investments.

Develops subject-matter expertise in the Perkins Basic Grant Program and other THECB-administered CTE grants, including program objectives, grant activities, performance measures, and reporting requirements.

Collects, cleans, links, and analyzes data on grant applications, awards, budgets, expenditures, activities, performance, institutions, programs, students, credentials, and workforce outcomes.

Identifies and interprets patterns and trends across institutions, programs of study, student populations, funding categories, and grant cycles.

Analyzes the implementation and outcomes of grant-funded activities, including CTE participation, program quality, retention and placement, credential attainment, access to nontraditional fields, employment, and earnings.

Develops and executes defined evaluation plans; apply descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and other suitable methods.

Assesses relationships between grant investments, funded activities, and student or program outcomes.

Develops dashboards, technical reports, policy briefs, data visualizations, written and tabular reports, and presentations that communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences.

Translates findings into practical recommendations for grant design, implementation, monitoring, technical assistance, continuous improvement, and resource allocation.

Consults with grantees and other internal or external stakeholders on data definitions, data quality, performance measures, analytical results, and appropriate interpretation of findings.

Supports the development and refinement of performance measures, reporting templates, data collection protocols, and standard procedures that improve the consistency and evaluation readiness of grant data.

Provides timely analysis for agency leadership, legislative requests, program reports, and other decision-making needs related to Perkins, CTE, and education-to-workforce outcomes.

Maintains clear, reproducible documentation of data sources, definitions, methods, code, assumptions, limitations, and analytical processes.

Ensures data quality and accuracy and applies FERPA requirements, data governance standards, information-security practices, and appropriate disclosure controls to analytical work products.

Uses initiative and independent judgment within established procedures and seeks direction on nonstandard, sensitive, or methodologically complex issues.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Minimum Education and Experience:

Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in economics, sociology, mathematics, statistics, public policy, data science, education research, or a related field.

Two years of full-time experience in data analysis, research, program evaluation, performance measurement, or closely related analytical work.

Experience using analytical software such as SAS, Python, R, SQL, SPSS, Stata, or another statistical software package to clean, analyze, and report data.

Relevant graduate education may substitute for required experience on a year-for-year basis. Other combinations of education and direct, related experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of statistical concepts, research design, program evaluation, performance measurement, and the appropriate interpretation of quantitative results.

Knowledge of data management, data quality assessment, record keeping, and security and disclosure procedures for confidential administrative data.

Knowledge of, or ability to rapidly learn, Perkins V, postsecondary CTE programs, grant lifecycles, and education-to-workforce outcomes.

Skill in using analytical software such as SAS, Python, R, SQL, SPSS, Stata, or another statistical software package.

Skill in cleaning, linking, validating, and analyzing administrative data and in producing accurate, reproducible results.

Skill in identifying and interpreting data patterns, trends, differences, anomalies, and limitations.

Ability to plan, organize, document, and complete defined analytical and evaluation projects under general supervision.

Ability to select and apply appropriate analytical methods, evaluate evidence, and develop well-supported recommendations.

Ability to prepare concise technical reports, dashboards, tables, visualizations, and presentations and to explain findings to technical and non-technical audiences.

Ability to manage multiple deadlines and establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, grantees, educational institutions, and other stakeholders.

Preferred:

Masters degree from an accredited college or university in economics, sociology, mathematics, statistics, public policy, data science, education, or a related field.

Experience evaluating education, workforce, or grant-funded programs, particularly Perkins or postsecondary CTE initiatives.

Experience analyzing longitudinal administrative data, student records, program or credential data, grant performance data, or Unemployment Insurance wage records.

Experience applying regression, quasi-experimental, causal-inference, or other program-evaluation methods to policy or grant questions.

Required In-Office Days:

This position is authorized for a hybrid telework schedule. Employees are required to work in the office two (2) days per week, with the remaining three (3) days eligible for telework. Specific in-office days may be determined by the department to meet business needs.

Military Crosswalk: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_PlanningResearchandStatistics.pdf

Physical Requirements and/or Working Conditions:

Work is performed in a standard office environment and requires:

Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance at work;

Frequent use of personal computer, copiers, printers, and telephones;

Frequent sitting; and

Frequently working under deadlines, as a team member, and in direct contact with others.

Workforce:

Must be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of customer service deliverables;

Show flexibility and adaptability toward changes in assignments and work schedules, working extended hours as necessary;

Adhere to the organizations internal management policies and procedures;

Contribute to the agencys performance measures and mission; and

Travel occasionally for work assignments and training.

Application Requirements:

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A State of Texas application is required to apply. For more information on how to apply for this position, go to the Coordinating Boards employment opportunities website at https://www.highered.texas.gov/careers/.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board participates in E-Verify for each new employees Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For questions, please call the HR Department at 512-427-6190. For vocal and/or hearing assistance call 7-1-1.

Notes to Applicant:

If you require any reasonable accommodation for the interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls to schedule your interview. This position has been designated as a security sensitive position. A criminal background investigation will be conducted on the final candidate for this position.

Your job application must be completely filled out. Your application must contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer and a description of duties performed in a way that demonstrates you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes do not take the place of the requirement to include this information on the application. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete.

Veterans Information: THECB is committed to hiring Veterans. To receive Veterans Preference, a copy of the FORM DD214 -member #4, must be attached when submitting your application.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: THECB does not discriminate on the basis, of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.

Job offer and continuation of employment with THECB is contingent upon:

Proof of education and experience listed on the application.

Eligibility/authorization to work in the U.S.

Satisfactory results from a pre-employment criminal history background check.

Compliance with the Selective Service Law for males ages 18-25. Please be advised that under Texas law, names and other information concerning applicants or nominees may be subject to disclosure upon request.

THECB does not allow dual employment with other state of Texas agencies or institutions.

Skills assessment may be conducted at time of interview.

Salary for this position will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

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.