Data Specialist

Job Description – Future Ready Data Specialist (30403) –

Position Title: Future Ready Data Specialist (30403) –

Overview:

The Research Analyst is responsible for data collections, district data entry support, and reporting for the STARS Act (2025) Future Ready program. As part of the EDUCATE team, this position will work with School Finance and Districts to ensure that the necessary data can be efficiently collected and used to determine and provide timely and accurate payments. The position will also work with other OPI divisions and external stakeholders to update program collection requirements within Infinite Campus and to communicate changes to school districts.

Additionally, the role will provide training for districts, internal staff, and external stakeholders.

Benefits of working for OPI:

• Work/life balance
• Family friendly
• Dedicated and caring colleagues
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays (up to 38 per year)
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public service loan forgiveness – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify for student loan forgiveness under PSLF.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Behaviors):

• Knowledge of data gathering methods, procedures, and development of data collection instruments.
• Knowledge of data cleaning, aggregation, and extraction methods utilizing SQL.
• Ability to understand and interpret policy and law to ensure compliance with privacy and security requirements.
• Skilled in effective teamwork skills, maintaining working relationships with co-workers, program users, technical personnel, and the public.
• Skilled in the use of personal computers, Windows, database management systems, spreadsheets, and query programs, as well as conversion of data formats.
• Ability to recognize sensitive areas and policy issues when gathering and analyzing data.
• Ability to analyze complex data for determination of accuracy and reliability.
• Ability to apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to the analysis and evaluation of data.
• Ability to condense and translate complex databases into summaries and data presentations.
• Ability to maintain a high level of skills, keeping abreast of developments and changes in statutes, rules and regulations pertaining to data collection, new technologies for data collection and reporting, and regular upgrading of technical skills.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, computer science, database administration, education, or related field.
• Two years of job‑related experience in data quality control and analysis or related experience.
• Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Additional Information:

• Position is in the PERS retirement system.
• May be eligible for a statutory $1.00 per hour or 2.5% base pay increase effective July 1, 2026.
• Special Information:
  The position is dependent on continued authorization and utilizes an employment contract. Authorization is anticipated through June 30, 2027 and may be renewed or extended. The position has the potential of becoming full‑time classified.
• Applicant pool statement:
  If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.
• Training assignment:
  The agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Hourly: $38.65 – $38.65

Not Telework Eligible

Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

1

Regular

Schedule:

Full‑Time

Standard

Day Job

Yes, 5 % of the Time

Helena – Office of Public Instruction – Union : 000 – None

Jun 17, 2026 5:35:31 PM – Closing Date:
Ongoing

Human Resources – opi.careers – (406) 444‑2673

OPI is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.