Data Analyst

$80,000 - $105,000/Yr

Columbia University - New York, NY

Full-time

New York, NY

Educational Services

About the position

The Data Analyst position within the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) is responsible for providing research and data analysis, information technology oversight, and operational support. The role involves developing data models and analytics tools to support the OIE's mission of addressing discrimination and harassment reports. The Data Analyst will work independently, handle sensitive information, and engage with diverse groups within the university.

Responsibilities

• Perform data mining and statistical analysis on reports of discrimination and harassment, identifying trends that inform policy development.
• Analyze data from incident reports, using predictive modeling to forecast future trends and areas of concern.
• Assist in the development, analysis, and reporting of climate surveys to assess campus-wide experiences related to discrimination and equity.
• Provide data-driven insights to support the creation of new training programs and initiatives.
• Use advanced data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Qlik) to create clear and actionable reports for leadership and stakeholders.
• Prepare comprehensive reports on data trends and survey findings to support informed decision-making.
• Ensure data integrity and accuracy, monitor data quality, and resolve discrepancies in datasets.
• Maintain awareness of industry standards and best practices, ensuring data analysis aligns with OIE's mission and compliance requirements.
• Analyze the effectiveness of educational programs and alternative resolutions, tracking participation rates and assessing their impact on policy compliance.
• Develop strategies for continuous evaluation of organizational gaps through discrimination data analysis.
• Assist in the preparation and submission of annual reports required by federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Design, implement, and maintain databases and software systems that support case management, reporting, and compliance tracking across OIE divisions.
• Ensure data integrity, security, and accessibility across all platforms used by OIE.
• Collaborate with IT and other departments to integrate equity-related systems with broader university systems.
• Train and support users across various platforms, providing expert guidance and troubleshooting.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable data privacy and security laws and regulations, including GDPR and FERPA.
• Collaborate with OIE divisions to develop strategies for addressing organizational gaps, providing actionable insights from data analysis.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across OIE, ensuring ongoing monitoring of progress and clear communication to stakeholders.
• Create dashboards and other tools to provide visibility of progress to senior leadership and facilitate data-driven decision-making.
• Assist in automating data collection processes to improve reporting efficiency.
• Lead efforts to standardize data entry and reporting procedures across divisions.
• Provide regular training sessions to ensure staff understand data handling protocols and new software features.
• Ensure compliance with data security protocols, actively monitoring systems for potential risks.
• Identify emerging data trends and recommend strategies for proactive response in policy and process adjustments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in database creation, administration, querying, project management, and communication.
• Strong knowledge of programming languages such as SQL, R, Python, and experience with data mining and statistical techniques.
• Technical proficiency in database design, data modeling, and data mining techniques.
• Experience with reporting packages (e.g., Business Objects), programming languages (e.g., Javascript, XML, ETL frameworks), and databases.
• Proficiency in statistics and statistical tools (e.g., SPSS, SAS, Excel) for data set analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Power BI and other database management tools.
• Strong knowledge of data visualization tools such as Tableau or Qlik.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to convey complex data insights to non-technical stakeholders.
• Exceptional organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and prioritize projects.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with diverse constituencies including students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity with federal, state, and local non-discrimination laws and regulations (e.g., Title IX, FERPA, ADA, VAWA).
• Advanced degree in statistics, data science, or a related field (highly preferred).
• Experience working in higher education (preferred).

Benefits

• Salary range of $80,000-$105,000 based on qualifications and experience.
• Regular full-time position with a 35-hour work week.