About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Director of Survey and Effectiveness Research in the Assessment, Survey, and Effectiveness Research (ASER) office, the Data Visualization Analyst develops interactive Tableau® dashboards to communicate results of periodic and special-purpose survey projects (e.g., Entering Student Survey, Graduating Senior Survey, Doctoral Student Experience Survey, National Survey of Student Engagement) to University leaders, administrators, staff, faculty, students, and other stakeholders. These data dashboards are important campus resources that support data-informed decision making, educational effectiveness, and pursuit of UMass Amherst’s strategic plan goals, including equitable student success outcomes.
Essential Functions
- Supports the dissemination of and use of survey results by creating interactive, user-friendly Tableau® dashboards for a diverse array of internal and external stakeholders and audiences.
- Creates charts, tables, and visualizations to present data clearly and disaggregate results by key social identity/demographic variables.
- Collaborates with and supports ASER team members to prepare insights-focused reports, online materials, and/or presentations commensurate with audience needs and background.
- Stays current on data visualization best practices and implementation within higher education settings.
- Develops procedures and systems to ensure data reporting accuracy.
- Develops and maintains technical documentation on ASER’s data visualization methodologies and techniques and keeps records pertaining to dashboard provisioning/access.
- Promotes and supports the use of survey and assessment research findings to advance the university’s strategic plan and the achievement of equitable outcomes for students, staff, and faculty.
- Provides expertise to campus, college/school, department and unit-specific survey and assessment research projects to support educational effectiveness and strategic planning processes.
- Provides training and coaching to dashboard users, including university administrators, staff, and faculty.
- Prepares and maintains datasets and databases to facilitate longitudinal analyses and timely responses to data/information requests from university stakeholders.
Other Functions
- Contributes to institution-wide data literacy and equity-minded data use, working collaboratively with campus stakeholders (e.g., Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Campus Life, Chancellor’s Office, etc.).
- Performs other related duties as assigned or required to meet department/unit, executive area/division, and university goals and objectives.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor’s degree.
- At least (1) year of professional experience preparing data visualizations to report on survey results.
- Demonstrated proficiency with Tableau® data visualization software to create dashboards to communicate survey results.
- Demonstrated expertise in data analysis using statistical software packages (e.g., SPSS®, SAS®, STATA® or R®).
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to provide highly technical and nuanced information to non-technical audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and engage effectively with team members to resolve complex problems efficiently.
- Ability to organize, prioritize and manage multiple time-sensitive projects effectively.
- Ability to access, analyze and report on sensitive and/or not-yet-public information and to exercise care to maintain privacy and confidentially while attending to reporting transparency.
- Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively within a diverse and inclusive community.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Master’s degree in higher education administration, sociology, or another social science field.
- Knowledge and awareness of the contemporary higher education landscape.
- Previous experience designing and/or conducting surveys.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Typical office environment activity.
Work Schedule
- Monday – Friday, 37.5 hours per week.
- 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
- Occasional nights/weekends needed for deadline-driven work.
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This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Salary Information
PSU Level 27
Exempt Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.