Program Data Specialist, Academic and Career Integration

Location: New York

* Identify and explore careers aligned with interests early in their educational pathway
* Understand what it takes to successfully attain those careers
* Acquire the required skills, both critical and professional
* Demonstrate proficiency through applied experience
* Connect to the first role/promotion through proactive employer engagement

CUNY is seeking a data specialist who will serve as the strategic lead and technical expert for designing, structuring, and analyzing data that supports career exploration, integrated career/academic advisement, and career-connected learning.
* Partner with stakeholders throughout CUNY to understand data needs, constraints, and opportunities.
* Serve as a thought partner with program teams to co-create solutions to help improve decision-making.
* Incorporate stakeholder feedback to refine data projects and tools.
* Provide guidance and resources to help non-technical staff interpret and use data effectively.
* Build relationships across teams to improve student support and outcomes.
* Train non-technical audiences on data displays, queries, and tools.
* Lead and facilitate working groups as needed.
* Build and manage databases to monitor key performance indicators.
* Create dashboards, visualizations, and reports that support program management and evidence-based decision-making.
* Evaluate and recommend tools and technologies to enhance dashboards and data displays.
* Build queries that enable program staff to access actionable insights.
* Design and maintain an efficient data architecture and integrations across platforms.
* Implement automated processes, quality checks, and monitoring to maintain data accuracy and consistency.
* Develop and advocate for creative solutions when standard tools or systems are unavailable or incompatible.
* Document workflows, data dictionaries, and integrations to maintain institutional knowledge and transparency.
* Ensure all systems comply with security, accessibility, and all other CUNY policies and best practices.
* Communicate clearly and tailor messages to diverse audiences.
* Lead or support special projects and other duties as assigned.
* Four+ years of proven experience in designing, managing, and analyzing program data systems.
* Two + years of experience with data management and reporting.
* Two + years of experience developing dashboards and using them for decision making.
* Demonstrated ability to independently lead data strategy and implementation projects from concept to completion.
* Ability to design for adaptability in environments where technology and processes are still evolving.
* Strong proficiency with data visualization and analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, Microsoft Suite, Airtable).
* Proven experience in identifying data trends and translating findings into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.
* Creative, resourceful, and comfortable operating in complex, evolving environments.
* Exceptional communication skills and relationship-building skills with program teams; demonstrated through clear, structured, and concise written and verbal presentations.
* Demonstrated ability to balance strategic thinking and hands-on execution.
* Commitment to continuous improvement.
* Other duties as assigned.
* Experience in post-secondary education, workforce development, and/or social services.
* Familiarity with CUNY systems and data environments.
* Background in program management, continuous improvement, or policy design.
* This position is based in a professional office environment and follows a hybrid work schedule: 70% in-person (7 days) and 30% remote (3 days) during each two-week payroll cycle.
* A laptop and other necessary equipment may be provided to support remote work.
* While performing these duties, the employee may be required to:
* Sit for extended periods
* Use a computer and other office equipment
* Occasionally lift or move items up to 20 pounds
* Reasonable accommodations will be provided to individuals with disabilities or other needs in accordance with RFCUNY policies and applicable laws.
* Ability to travel to other CUNY sites as needed.

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