Data Analytics Specialist Sr #2407-201320-01

The City of Charlotte is the largest municipality in North Carolina and the 15th largest city in the United States, with a total population of more than 897,000 citizens. A major commerce center, Charlotte hosts several of the nation’s largest banks and technology companies.

Also known as the Queen City, Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. We work hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play. Join us in helping to keep our City thriving, ensuring upward mobility and advancement in the workplace.

·       Applies a broad range of analytic techniques and approaches to support collaborative problem-solving across CFD – e.g., data analysis, data visualization, dashboarding, GIS, SQL, statistical analysis, business process modelling, program evaluation, behavioral science.

·       Provides analytical services for CFD’s research and analytics projects, including providing data that is accurate and reliable and integrating and preparing large, varied datasets from internal and external sources for analysis and visualization.

Analysis, Reporting, Data Visualization

·       Performs predictive incident response modeling and analysis that helps CFD optimize performance of existing apparatus, predict impacts of future growth, identify optimal new station locations, and justify new station and apparatus requests; maintains, updates, and manages predictive incident modeling software to ensure modelling is as accurate to real-world as possible.

·       Develops automated reports using SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS); manages permissions for CFD reports

·       Develops methodologies and processes for analyzing and reporting data more efficiently and accurately

·        Performs ad-hoc data analysis and/or compiles data for analysis by SMEs, when information cannot be garnered from existing reports

·       Provides data analysis and research, to support program evaluation and outcome measurement related to the performance and operation of the department, including:

o   Benchmark metrics;

o   Departmental program performance;

o   Service demand and performance, including forecasting; and/or

o   Cross-departmental problem-solving and policy analysis.

·       Analyzes data and provides data and information for Accreditation and ISO; supports the development of continuous quality improvement processes.

·      Automates tasks and improves processes using Python and SQL programming to minimize staff time on repetitive tasks

·      Creates datasets that are supplemental to existing datasets and help improve the quality and functionality of reports and dashboards. 

Research, reports (written), presentations

·      Transforms data into actionable information and knowledge for CFD, its stakeholders, and city leadership. Prepares written reports, presentations, and summaries of data from complex records and multiple data sources including GIS data, for various audiences.

·       Researches, analyzes, and evaluates proposals, projects, and departmental activities, processes, and programs in terms of staffing requirements, needs, priorities, costs, and funding sources; reviews external consultant reports to ensure they’re logically and factually sound and are appropriately informed by industry standards and fire service knowledge.

·       Designs and executes special projects that combine data and processes into insights that improve decision-making ability; generates new data from special projects, to help CFD fill gaps in information and improve quality of analyses

Quality Management

·       Ensures appropriate and meaningful data collection, analysis, and reporting.

o   Develops processes, SQL queries, reports, and departmental policies for the QA/QI/QC of CFD data, especially emergency response data

o   Collaborates with IT divisions and software vendors and makes recommendations for software and application changes to improve the quality of data collected by the department

o   Performs end-of-year QA/QI work to identify and exclude CFD responses that do not meet response time reporting criteria, document correct coordinates for incidents missing point data, etc.

·       Advances the use of data internally and externally by identifying and pursuing improvements to communicate data for impact and help CFD tell its story; identifies effective strategies for communicating with internal and external audiences; implements effective, appropriate, and unique methods for visualizing and communicating about data

Collaboration; Data Sharing; Open Data; Partnerships

·       Supports the efforts of other Strategic Planning team members by providing data for special projects, validating and/or writing SQL queries, and identifying opportunities to improve analyses and processes

·       Works with City Planning and similar departments to understand and estimate the impact of future development on the Fire Department

·       Participates in innovation and analytics projects; partners with other city departments and public safety agencies in research and planning activities; and represents the Fire Department in cross-department and community efforts related to data analysis, process facilitation, and problem solving.

·       Promotes CFD’s use of shared data and works with partners to strengthen the internal data community and promote the use of CFD data with community and external stakeholders.

Knowledge of:

·   English grammar, spelling, and punctuation

·   Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment

·   Software/technology that aid in data collection, analysis, and presentation (e.g., ArcGIS, Excel, Tableau, SPSS/SAS/R, etc)

·   Statistics

·   Programming languages (SQL, XML, Python)

·   Research design and intermediate statistical methods

·   Network analysis and other forms of spatial analysis and spatial statistics

·   Various source systems and data retrieval processes

·   Business process documentation

·   Municipal operations, departmental business needs and programs, and city strategy/community goals 

Skill in:

·   Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships

·   Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature

·  Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios

Ability to:

·   Meet schedules and deadlines of the work

·   Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files

·   Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

·   Interpret user groups’ needs and see path from idea to identifying project outcomes

·   Develop and implement tutorials and how-to documentation

ADA and Other Requirements:

Positions in this class typically require grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Physical Requirements:

• Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical conditions necessary for sitting, standing, climbing, or walking for extended periods of time.
• Light to moderate lifting and carrying; some crouching, stooping, squatting, crawling, reaching, pushing, and pulling when performing tasks.
• Adequate vision, hearing, and speech required.

Sensory Requirements:

Concentrated and attentive use of one or more senses (visual, audio, and other sensory modalities) for proofreading, data entry, and tabulating data.

• Ability to operate in an environment with frequent interruptions from people and/or noises, which in return could result in some level of stress, fatigue, or strain.
• Comprehensive written information in work-related documents.
• Ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in an indoor and outdoor environment with moderate exposure to atmospheric conditions; moderate exposure to environmental conditions and frequent exposure to computer screens, files, and phone.

·   At least four years of relevant college-level course work or Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Information Technology, Computer Science, Geography, or a                  related field 

·   One (1) to three (3) years of experience in data warehousing, report and dashboard development, with business analysis and process improvement   

·   At least three years of experience with fire service data

·   Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities 

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby where we have workstations available. Our office is located at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

Anyone seeking an accommodation to apply for a job may call (704) 336-2285 for assistance or you may email questions to CityHrJobPostingsNotify@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.