Principal Consultant (Principal Consultant#1824)

Location: Springfield or Chicago

About the Role

Reporting to the Director, you will conceptualize, design, conduct, and collaborate on quantitative and qualitative analyses to annually generate and report school summative designations and school-level reports. You will support schools and districts in understanding their data, develop reports and data visualizations, and identify methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the system and the impact of potential changes to indicators or scoring rules. This role involves writing and reviewing business rules, addressing policy-related issues, and conducting projects and studies to assist agency decision-making in compliance with state and federal accountability requirements.

Responsibilities

• Write SQL code and perform statistical analysis of large, complex data sets using data warehouses and statistical packages (e.g., SAS Enterprise, Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, or other industry-standard software).
• Oversee and advise on the selection and design of quantitative and qualitative data collections related to the accountability system (e.g., summative designations and school-level reports).
• Apply complex statistical methods for analysis and set standards for analysis protocols and procedures in collaboration with the Director, staff, and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the technical analysis and evaluation of assessment data quality and results, as well as data quality for all other indicators in the accountability system.
• Serve on and lead accountability advisory committees as needed.
• Identify policy or technical issues and recommend qualitative and quantitative methodologies for research studies to address them; implement studies and analyze and report results.
• Conduct and support research and analysis for Agency initiatives, particularly relating to the accountability system and its indicators.
• Review existing research and methodologies to inform Agency policy and practice.
• Document research and synthesize findings in reports and presentations.
• Respond to technical and practical questions from assessment professionals and educators, providing information in an understandable and meaningful way.
• Conduct independent research or analyses for special assignments as directed by the Director, Senior Leadership, or the State Superintendent.
• Produce ad hoc data requests as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Data Science, Research Methodologies, Statistics, Economics, Public Policy, Public Administration, Psychology, or Education (with substantial coursework in computer science, data science, mathematics, or statistics). Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree in one of these fields plus one year of relevant professional experience. (Copy of transcripts required at time of application.)
• One year of experience computing and cleaning data from databases.
• Experience developing research project plans, including identification of and rationale for methodological approaches.
• Experience writing reports and developing presentations describing and showing results of data analysis.
• Proficiency in SQL and Excel.
• Ability to identify issues with data completeness and quality.
• Superior writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Creativity and ability to work collaboratively with others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with large data sets.
• Experience developing linear and multi-level models.
• Proficiency in ArcGIS, SAS, R, or other quantitative and qualitative statistical software or mapping tools.
• Knowledge of early childhood education, English language learning, teacher and leader effectiveness, assessment, accountability, demographics, post-secondary readiness, gifted and talented, or school performance.
• Familiarity with and appropriate use of artificial intelligence applications.
• Demonstration of required skills via published or available reports or presentations.

Pay

Anticipated starting salary range: $64,322 - $81,284. Full salary range: $64,322 - $109,467.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.