Data Analyst: Tickle College of Engineering Research Office - UTK

About the role

The Data Analyst quantitatively and qualitatively analyzes and interprets large datasets to discover and present actionable insights to Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) leadership, driving best strategies for pursuing college goals, enhancing student and faculty success, and improving college operations.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, interpret, and communicate departmental performance related to undergraduate and graduate students, including recruitment/matriculation, participation in high-impact practices, success in grades and graduation, and job or graduate school placement post-graduation — undertaken in the context of TCE priorities, resource availability, and the expectations of students, alumni, and state legislators.
• Provide original, data-driven insights to TCE leadership on improving student recruitment, enhancing retention, increasing 4–6 year graduation rates, enhancing student diversity, and strategically using scholarship funds; create direct access to “clean datasets” and graphical user interfaces (dashboards, visualizations using Power BI) for TCE faculty and staff use.
• Engage with personnel across numerous campus offices (e.g., OIRA, OIT) to exchange information and resolve issues related to data integrity and reporting; test and provide feedback on reports and dashboards published on data.utk.edu.
• Agregate, clean, and verify data required for ABET accreditation.
• Generate ad hoc analysis and dynamic visuals enabling the Dean to demonstrate to University administration, the TCE Board of Advisors, and other stakeholders how resources are being leveraged to drive TCE's progress toward the Top 25, including original analyses and perspectives identifying challenges and opportunities for TCE.
• Participate in professional associations and conferences that benefit the processes for collection, management, analysis, and communication of data for TCE.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree in education evaluation, statistics, economics, science, engineering, mathematics, or a related field.
• Experience: 4 years of experience using quantitative methods to characterize data populations; 4 years of experience using software for data aggregation, analysis, and presentation (e.g., programming, databases, spreadsheets, statistical analysis, graphical presentation, and reporting via word-processing/presentation programs).
• Demonstrated commitment to cooperative teamwork; Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills to deal effectively with superiors, colleagues, and personnel who provide data or expect analysis from the data.

Qualifications

• Critical analysis capability with keen attention to detail; Excellent written and verbal communication skills; outstanding problem-solving skills; Ability to multi-task; Excellent organizational skills; Excellent working knowledge of appropriate database, spreadsheet, statistical analysis, graphical presentation, word-processing, and presentation software (e.g., MS Excel, Python, SQL, R, VBA, Power BI); Ability to provide clear work direction to students.

Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of the basis for metrics used in external evaluation of colleges of engineering, such as undergraduate student retention/graduation and diversity of personnel in the College;
• Expert skills with a variety of software for data aggregation and retrieval;
• Knowledge and understanding of the workflow, responsibilities, and expectations of the college as related to its missions of teaching, research, and service.