Data Management Specialist Jobs

The Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University Graduate School of Education (HGSE) brings school districts, states, foundations, and university-based researchers together to leverage newly available data to draw implications for education reform and to address previously intractable policy questions. CEPR forms partnership with school districts, charter schools and other education agencies or education software vendors and conducts analysis on partner’s data to provide actionable information to school districts and agencies to support data driven decision making.

CEPR is looking for a Data Management Specialist (DMS) to provide critical support to all aspects of CEPR’s data management and analytics activities. This position will be responsible for maintaining all data use contracts with external entities, and monitoring CEPR data processing to ensure full compliance with contractual terms and related regulations. The data management team is required to perform all data transfers between CEPR and partnering data providers with up to 60-70 active partners at a time and enforce a high level of data security for all transfers. This position as Data Management Specialist will play an important role in data transfers, validating the quality of the data CEPR receives, and maintaining CEPR data standards. Other responsibilities include providing user support for applications and providing user training on data security processes. The Data Management Specialist will assist the Analytic team with data cleaning tasks as necessary using Stata or R. The position will report to the CEPR Data Manager and will interact with all project teams with high visibility. This position is critical to CEPR organization and requires a high level of independence, solid data analysis skills, attention to detail, and the maturity to apply sound judgement under tight timelines.

• Promptly perform secure data transfers between CEPR and all active external partners. Even under tight deadlines, always apply sound judgement to ensure the highest level of data security is enforced.
• Provide back-up to and assist on special projects with the CEPR Data Manager.
• Assist the analytic team with data cleaning when needed in Stata or R.
• Provide direct assistance to CEPR users in account creation, user permission setup, hardware and software configuration, application troubleshooting, and data security training and orientation.
• Conduct regular CEPR data audits to ensure CEPR compliance with university policies and data use agreements in collaboration with the CEPR Data Manager. The audits include reviewing terms of data use agreements, user access, file transfers and data permission groups on the secure Windows server and Sharepoint/Microsoft Teams.
• Perform data quality assurance on large datasets through reviewing existing reports from CEPR data warehouse, profiling data using Stata, R or other statistical scripting languages. Work with Data Manager and project teams to develop, automate, and enhance data quality monitoring process and data issue mitigation plans.
• Work with CEPR Data Management team to develop protocols, governance processes, and documentation that promote data standards and data quality metrics across all project teams.
• Review and monitor CEPR data use agreements for all projects and generate regular reports, and/or alerts for CEPR data audits.
• Close out projects by separating data files, which require deletion, from programs, figures and log files, which can be retained for archiving.
• Maintain and enhance internal CEPR project, user, and contract database in Quickbase and ensure information in the data use database is accurate and promptly updated.
• Maintain and document CEPR data element definitions and mapping rules. Assist project teams to adopt CEPR data standards and improve efficiency in data ingestion and integration efforts.
• Help draft and submit Data Use Agreements and Data Management Plans with partner agencies for legal review, communicating how CEPR data security protocols align with their requirements.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and task management skills, including documentation of best practices, and creating user guides.
• Bachelor’s degree with 2+ years relevant experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience communicating technical issues to research staff.
• Experience in managing individually identifiable and high-risk confidential information. Ability to handle confidential information with high discretion.
• 2 years of experience working with and cleaning raw data from multiple sources in Stata and/or R.

• Experience with relational databases and creating analytic research files from raw databases.
• Strong technical skills in data profiling on large, messy datasets from multiple sources to assess data quality and identify issues, inconsistencies and missing data, using SQL, Stata, R, Powershell, Python or other scripting languages.
• Understanding of data security policies and regulations, with an interest in enhancing, automating, and optimizing existing practice and procedures.
• Experience in maintaining and enhancing documentation including data dictionaries, data cleaning rules and data validation process and metrics.
• Experience working in a research and/or academic setting.
• Development experience in one or more of the following programming languages is a plus: C#, Stata, R, SQL, VBA, Python, Powershell. Aptitude for and interest in acquiring new development skills and learning new software/programming languages. Ability to troubleshoot issues for less experienced users.
• Experience or interest in data visualizations including Tableau and Power BI, and/or automating Qualtrics survey data collections/transfers.
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience in developing and/or supporting one or more of the following applications: QuickBase, Qualtrics, SharePoint, JAMS Scheduler.
• Experience or interest in creating a system for documenting knowledge/prior projects to improve communication across projects.

This position will require to be in person 2-3 days for a yearly retreat.

HGSE is currently developing dynamic workplace models which will actively support a combination of on-campus and remote work (within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business) where business and operational needs allow. You and your manager will discuss the best schedule based on your role and operational need. If your role allows for remote work, please note that all remote work must be performed within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CA (Only Exempt), CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, and WA). Please also note that Harvard will withhold each applicable state’s required tax and other withholdings from your paycheck for the time you work there.
The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
We regret that the Harvard Graduate School of Education does not provide Visa sponsorship

Harvard University offers an outstanding benefits package including:

• Wellness & Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, hard & soft skills development, career planning, massages, nutrition, meditation, and complimentary health services. Additionally, access to Harvard athletic facilities, libraries, campus events - and many discounts for various cultural and leisure activities throughout metro Boston.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with full vesting after 3 years of service
• Medical/Dental/Vision: Excellent and affordable medical, dental & vision plans, with coverage beginning as of an employee's start date
• Tuition Assistance & Reimbursement Programs: $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School, discounted options through participating Harvard graduate schools, and reimbursement options for accredited schools outside of Harvard.
• Time Off: 3-4 weeks paid vacation, paid holiday break, 12 paid sick days, 12+ paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days per year
• Transportation: 50% discount on MBTA passes, as well as additional options (rideshare, biking, etc.) to assist employees in their daily commute.

HGSE is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education.

HGSE Human Resources values diversity in all forms and believes that each employee brings a set of diverse experiences and identities to the workplace that makes us stronger, encourages innovation, and enhances our collective contributions. We continue to develop and support a workforce that reflects the diversity of those we serve; fosters an environment that allows everyone to belong and to bring their best self to work; and creates the conditions that empower employees to contribute their full potential to advancing the work of the school.

We do this by:

• Providing employees opportunities to learn, grow, and be challenged
• Hiring and retaining staff reflecting the diversity of those we serve

• Reviewing and ensuring fairness and equity in HR practices and policies including but not limited to hiring, promotion, and compensation
• Developing strong relationships and partnerships internal and external to our community to advance diversity and inclusion
• Communicating transparently and respectfully; and
• Fostering an inclusive, respectful, and professional work environment

About the Harvard Graduate School of Education
Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit: www.gse.harvard.edu

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.