Senior Data Strategist

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world‑class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.

Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student‑centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

Planning and Data Management (PDM) enables and supports district and network managers, school principals, city agencies, and community‑based organizations by offering a variety of geographically‑based school and student data management services.

Job Summary: Reporting to the Director of Demographics and Planning, the Senior Data Strategist will support the Department of Planning and Data Management by conducting sophisticated analysis of the district’s public and confidential data. The Senior Data Strategist will provide strategic analysis, data management, and accurate demographic and geospatial data to inform decisions regarding CPS schools and facilities. This role will also create high quality, Geographic Information Systems (GIS)‑based map documents and other data visualizations.

This is a full‑time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

This Job Will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Co‑manage the district’s demographic and enrollment data to ensure effective organizational decision‑making and improve CPS's ability to clearly communicate with the public.
• Manage the creation of various studies, reports, and materials for the purpose of providing project updates and/or conveying other information required for district‑wide planning and decision‑making.
• Lead the development of annual and multi‑year enrollment projections to help guide OPM’s planning efforts.
• Produce grade‑by‑grade enrollment projections using a combination of internal historical data and external demographic/census data.
• Provide static and dynamic data visualizations using business intelligence software.
• Lead the development, management, and expansion of geospatial technology to facilitate student assignment and enrollment analysis.
• Deliver professional‑quality map documents and data visualizations to inform district‑wide planning and decision‑making.
• Work with various departments across CPS to support important strategic district initiatives through geospatial mapping and data analysis.
• Provide updated geospatial data, live public support, and UX design recommendations for the CPS School Locator app.
• Respond to public inquiries regarding attendance area assignments.
• Act as a business owner of the School Data Management System.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Geographic Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Technology, Geography, Urban Planning or a related field of study preferred.

Experience

Required:

• Minimum of six (6) years of geographic information systems (GIS) software and programming, including professional experience with ESRI products (ArcMAP 10.x, ArcGIS Pro) and related extensions (Network Analyst, Spatial Analyst, Community Analyst, Model Builder). Preference will be given to those with GIS (ESRI or other) certification.
• Expertise with Power BI, Microsoft Excel, and/or Google Sheets, inclusive of the ability to combine and report on datasets.
• Experience writing code with data analytic tools (SAS, R, Python, SPSS, STATA, etc.).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of web‑based mapping technologies, specifically ArcGIS Online Web App Builder and Google Maps is preferred.
• High level of proficiency with ESRI products (ArcMAP 10.x, ArcGIS Pro) and related extensions (Network Analyst, Spatial Analyst, Community Analyst, Model Builder).
• Ability to…