PIER Data Scientist

Position Overview Starting Salary Range is $72,758.40 - $76,469. The initial salary offer is commensurate with education and related work experience. The PIER Data Scientist is responsible for applying statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and data visualization to support institutional planning, enrollment management, and student success initiatives. This position reports to the Vice President, Planning, Institutional Effectiveness & Research, and Enrollment Management. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Data Science and Analytics

• Design and apply statistical models, including predictive models for enrollment, persistence, course outcomes, and completion.
• Develop enrollment projections and demand models to support institutional planning, including facilities, staffing, course scheduling, and resource planning.
• Analyze data using appropriate statistical methods and assist stakeholders in the interpretation of findings.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of student success initiatives, interventions, and programs using appropriate quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Conduct recurring and special research on student outcomes, equity gaps, program performance, and workforce alignment, and respond to analytical research requests as they arise.
• Build and maintain interactive dashboards and self-service reporting tools for departments and college leadership using approved institutional data definitions.

Reporting Support

• Support data extraction and analysis for IPEDS, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and other external reporting requirements, including but not limited to grant-funded program reporting and national or state benchmarking consortia.
• Maintain and update institutional data and key performance indicators published on the College's Institutional Research webpage.
• Support non-routine, in-depth data analysis for Institutional Effectiveness beyond standing accreditation survey cycles.

Data Infrastructure

• Maintain data definitions and documentation so institutional data and reported figures remain accurate and consistent across the College.
• Build and maintain queries, extracts, and data pipelines against the student information system and data warehouse, in coordination with Information Technology and functional offices.
• Work with Information Technology and functional offices to identify and resolve data integrity issues.
• Protect confidential student and employee information in accordance with FERPA, applicable privacy laws, and College policies and procedures.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

• Consult with college constituents regarding appropriate research design, statistical methodology, and evaluation protocols.
• Collaborate with the Institutional Research Data Analyst, who maintains public information requests, standing survey administration, and recurring reporting, to coordinate analytical work and avoid duplication of effort.
• Coordinate with faculty and staff on special reports, projects, and analyses as requested.
• Serve as project lead for the design and analysis of complex datasets used to address research questions relevant to institutional planning and decision-making.
• Partner with Institutional Effectiveness, Institutional Reporting, Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, and Student Services on research questions and assessment needs.
• Present findings to administrators, faculty, and staff in plain language.
• Participate in college committees and institutional initiatives as directed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Master's (or higher) degree in statistics, data science, computer science, higher education, social science, or a related quantitative field from a regionally accredited institution.
• Three (3) years of experience in data science, analytics, or institutional research.
• Demonstrated proficiency with computer programming and willingness to learn R and SQL.
• Experience with a business intelligence platform such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Experience applying statistical methods to analyze institutional or organizational data.
• Working knowledge of IPEDS and other federal and state higher education reporting requirements.
• Working knowledge of statistics, research design, and survey methodology, with willingness to build toward advanced methods.
• Ability to translate technical findings for non-technical audiences, orally and in writing.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities against firm deadlines.
• Sound judgment with confidential data and a commitment to accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Community college experience.
• Familiarity with Texas reporting requirements and SACSCOC accreditation standards.
• Ability to take initiative, problem solve, exercise sound judgment, and adapt to shifting priorities in a diverse setting.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in additional programming or statistical languages such as Python, SAS, SPSS, or Stata.
• Experience with PeopleSoft Campus Solutions and higher education data warehouse environments.
• Experience with Workday.
• Interest in or exposure to machine learning, causal inference, or quasi-experimental methods; the College will support growth in these areas.
• Experience with model validation, reproducible analytical workflows, or version control.

Benefits

Lee College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law.