Data Analyst

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $80,000-$105,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) serves as a centralized resource for addressing all reports of discrimination and discriminatory harassment, including reports that involve alleged violations of Title VI and Title VII, reports that involve alleged violations of Title IX and the University’s Gender Based Misconduct Policy, as well as reports that relate to violations of the Protection of Minors Policy. The Office is responsible for reviewing, investigating and managing all incidents from inception through resolution whether the Respondent is a student, faculty, staff member or affiliate.

The Data Analyst reports to the Director of Operations and provides research and data analysis, information technology oversight, and operational support for the Office of Institutional Equity. The Data Analyst will assist in developing data models and analytics tools across the divisions to support OIE’s mission. The incumbent will work independently and will be required to use sound judgment when handling sensitive information. They will also engage in frequent interactions with diverse groups of employees, students, and faculty.

Responsibilities

Data Management and Analysis:

• Perform data mining and statistical analysis on reports of discrimination and harassment, identifying trends that inform policy development and guide data-driven decision-making on university policies.
• 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, providing actionable insights for continuous improvement.
• Provide data-driven insights to support the creation of new training programs, initiatives, and the continuous improvement of OIE’s efforts.
• Use advanced data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Qlik) to create clear and actionable reports for leadership and stakeholders, supporting strategic decision-making.
• Prepare comprehensive reports on data trends and survey findings to support informed decision-making at all levels of the university.
• 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, identifying opportunities for growth through discrimination data analysis.
• Assist in the preparation and submission of annual reports required by federal, state, and institutional regulations.

Systems Development and Maintenance:

• 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.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate with OIE divisions to develop strategies for addressing organizational gaps, providing actionable insights from data analysis.
• Work closely with the OIE team and other stakeholders to ensure efficient data use in case management and reporting.
• 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.

Additional Responsibilities:

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.
• Must successfully pass systems training requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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).

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.