Data Scientist

Position Title
Data Scientist
The Opportunity

The Data Scientist uses statistical techniques and database analysis tools to optimize business results and develop strategic insights. They work within the Institutional Research and Strategic Analytics team in the Information and Technology Solutions (ITS) department at Mines to teach data users and consumers how to work effectively with data. The position involves building a robust data culture, developing business intelligence reports, and supporting data governance and management. The Data Scientist also helps with external reporting obligations that adhere to state and federal policies.

Responsibilities

Data Strategy and Planning

• Define data metrics, guidelines, and strategies with cross-departmental teams.
• Create data mining and analytics architectures, data standards/definitions, statistical reporting, and data analysis methodologies.
• Coordinate data resource requirements between teams.
• Translate prototypes into production with stakeholders and team members.
• Assist in developing data management policies and procedures.
• Develop best practices for analytics composition and consumption.

Data Quality and Data Governance Management

• Ensure usable and trustworthy data availability for business processes.
• Analyze and improve data management components for better data quality.
• Coordinate efforts between ITS teams and business units for data asset quality maintenance.
• Investigate data quality issues, determine root cause and design corrective plans.
• Develop and maintain operations of data management and governance system, including training for end users.
• Lead development of data definitions, classification, standards, and quality with data stewards.
• Develop monthly reports for the Data Governance Advisory Board on status of data definition development, data quality resolutions and issues preventing the delivery of data efficiently.
• Conduct quality assurance checks on reports and data and develop tools for internal data audits.
• Implement data literacy into daily conversations, coach data requestors, and increase data usage quality.

Acquisition and Deployment

• Research and recommend data infrastructure, analytics tools, services, protocols, and standards.
• Drive collection of new data and refine existing data sources.

Operational Management

• Develop algorithms and predictive models to solve critical business problems.
• Collaborate with academic and administrative units for data-informed decision-making.
• Create tools and libraries for efficient interface with large datasets.
• Analyze large datasets and identify meaningful patterns for actionable results.
• Develop and automate enhanced imputation algorithms.
• Create informative data visualizations.
• Provide and apply quality assurance best practices for data science services.
• Develop, implement, and maintain change control and testing processes.
• Collaborate with administrators to ensure effective protection and integrity of data assets.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate surveys.
• Develop annual reporting on peer comparisons, trends, opportunities, and concerns in higher education.
• Extract data from business intelligence tools and build dashboards and written reports.
• Support compliance and accreditation data collection efforts.

External Reporting

• Develop consistent, longitudinal, and reproducible data sources that support fulfilling external commitments required for compliance or are otherwise critical to the institution’s mission.
• Serve as an institutional representative with external organizations (e.g. IPEDS, HLC, U.S. News, etc.) and formally submit required/requested data by their respective deadlines.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline. Individuals without a related degree may be considered if they demonstrate possession of the same knowledge level found in a degree but have attained advanced knowledge through a combination of work experience and intellectual instruction.
• 2+ years of relevant work experience in a technical field.
• Experience working in data visualization software.

• Proficiency in SQL, Python, and/or R programming.
• Understanding of statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and data engineering techniques.
• Expertise in analyzing complex, large-scale, and multidimensional data from various sources.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a quantitative approach and experience in statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of data collection, cleaning, and transformation techniques.
• Passionate about empirical research and data-driven decision-making.
• Flexible in analytical approach, able to provide results with varying levels of precision.
• Excellent reporting, data visualization, and technical writing skills.
• Effective prioritization and execution of tasks in high-pressure environments.
• Detail-oriented and experienced in project management.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Quality assurance and troubleshooting proficiency.
• Proactive in fostering collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree with strong math and analysis skills.
• Experience with state and federal higher education policies.
• Experience with surveying and rankings for higher education.
• Experience with ERP systems (ex: Banner, PeopleSoft, Workday).
• Experience implementing or utilizing a data warehouse.
• An understanding of the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.
• Understanding of data warehousing and ETL techniques.

About Mines & Golden, CO
When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 38 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2023).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, cultural awareness and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety.

Pay Range

$80,400 – $90,500

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Total Rewards

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Fully paid health and dental premiums
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the on-campus Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more), equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center, the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), and backup child and elder care. Coming soon is an on-campus daycare center. For more information about benefits at Mines, go to mines.edu/human-resources/benefits .

How to Apply

Applicants will be asked to complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, references, veteran status) and upload a resume and cover letter (required). References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. Mines welcomes everyone to our team; in your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc). If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.

Please contact Kathy White at kwhite1@mines.edu with questions.

Background Investigation Required
Yes

Advertised: May 26, 2023 Mountain Daylight Time
Applications close: Jun 18, 2023 11:55 PM Mountain Daylight Time