Senior Data Analyst

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The Senior Data Analyst supports Guilford County’s efforts to improve the way data is used across the County. The Senior Data Analyst builds and maintains a diverse portfolio of projects, designing and delivering data analyses, visualizations, and reports that help the County understand what’s working, where gaps exist, and how to improve services for residents. The ideal candidate is comfortable working with complex data, approaches problems with curiosity, and can clearly communicate information to nontechnical audiences.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The Senior Data Analyst serves as the lead analytics resource for the team. They work with departments and County leadership to understand data needs and develop practical solutions including scoping and implementing a full analytics project, designing and delivering visualizations and reporting tools, or preparing and analyzing data. Strong communication skills, knowledge of applicable data privacy standards, and the ability to manage projects involving multiple stakeholders are essential to success in this role. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Research and Analysis

• Conduct analyses to help departments understand service delivery trends, operational patterns, and program outcomes.
• Design and execute research projects using sound statistical and methodological approaches.
• Work with university and community partners on research and analytics initiatives.
• Translate complex findings into clear, actionable recommendations for diverse audiences.
• Ensure data accuracy, privacy, and ethical use in line with Guilford County standards and applicable regulations.
• Maintain clear documentation and data quality standards to support reliable, reproducible analysis.  

Data Visualization and Reporting

• Design intuitive data visualizations and dashboards that communicate insights clearly.
• Develop reporting tools that make complex data easier to understand and use.
• Tailor reports to the needs of different audiences such as operational staff, leadership, and external partners. 

Analytics Product Development

• Manage analytics projects from intake through delivery, including scoping, planning, stakeholder coordination, and implementation.  
• Serve as the analytics lead for the County’s integrated data system, including defining requirements, supporting testing, and incorporating user feedback.
• Support data integration and pipeline development to enable analytics products and improve business processes.
• Identify opportunities for cross-departmental analytics projects and help align teams around shared goals, definitions, and standards. 

RECRUITMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of and experience with dashboard design and automated reporting solutions using enterprise business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, SAP).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to tell a clear story with data.
• Strong project management skills or experience working in project-based environments.
• Advanced analytical and statistical skills, including regression modeling, hypothesis testing, and causal inference methods.
• Demonstrated ability to scope and manage analytics projects with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct business process mapping and translate business requirements into technical specifications.
• Ability to interpret and present findings to both technical and nontechnical audiences.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, public policy, public affairs, social work, information science, data science, statistics, or a related field and three to five years of experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to perform the essential duties and tasks of this position. Education and experience should be clearly documented with demonstrated linkages to the essential duties and tasks of this position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Proficiency in Python, R, or comparable languages and tools.
• Experience with SQL and managing or building data pipelines.
• Familiarity with public sector datasets.
• Advanced Power BI experience (data modeling, DAX, and performance optimization).
• Familiarity with ArcGIS or spatial data concepts.

An employee in this position must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. The employee must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Work consists of an office environment with no adverse environmental conditions.

May Require Driving 

This position may require driving a County-owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business, including but not limited to attending conferences, meetings, or any other County-related functions. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified to confirm a valid driver’s license and that the driving record is compatible with the County’s driving criteria. If a personal vehicle is operated for County business, proper insurance must be maintained as per Guilford County’s vehicle use policy. 

Special Note: This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with physical abilities checklist, which can be reviewed before initiating a selection process. This can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal and defensible personnel decisions.