Data Analyst 1

The School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) is the foundation of a liberal arts education at Stanford. The school encompasses 24 departments and 25 interdisciplinary programs. H&S is home to fundamental and applied research, where free, open, and critical inquiry is pursued across disciplines. As the university's largest school, H&S serves as the foundation of a Stanford undergraduate education, no matter which discipline students pursue as a major. Graduate students work alongside world-renowned faculty to pursue and shape foundational research that leads to breakthroughs and discoveries that shed new light on the past, influence the present, and shape the future. Together, faculty and students in H&S engage in inspirational teaching, learning, and research every day.

Department/Program Description:

Big Local News, situated in the journalism program in the Department of Communication at Stanford, allows journalists - whether freelancers, reporters from one company or collaborators across multiple news organizations - to share data and work together as they report out stories. Our work is designed to be journalist-driven and transformative, to help find solutions for local newsrooms' ability to produce accountability journalism and create impact. The Stanford Journalism program's mission is to serve the public's need for facts in a just, self-governed society. We develop tools to make it easier to discover important stories and lower the cost of accountability journalism through better use of data and algorithms. We aim to be pioneers in the field of computational journalism, partnering with media and technology companies and with faculty and students from the social sciences and engineering.

The Department of Communication is seeking a Data Analyst 1. The Data Analyst 1 will work under general supervision of the Director of Big Local News within the department and conduct data collection, analysis and training in service of Big Local News' mission of supporting local journalism and partnering where applicable with researchers on data analyses for that purpose.

This is a 95% FTE, 1-year fixed-term, exempt position with the possibility of renewal. This position can be either remote or based on the Stanford campus.

If you believe that this opportunity is a match for your knowledge, skills and abilities, we encourage you to apply. Thank you for considering employment opportunities with the School of Humanities and Sciences.

CORE DUTIES:

• Identify and select usable data from subtle and complex data patterns. Assess and produce relevant, standard, or custom information (reports, charts, graphs and tables) from structured data sources by querying data repositories and generating the associated information.
• Collect, manage and clean datasets using an extraction and reporting programming language to ensure data integrity
• Research and reconcile data discrepancies occurring among various information systems and reports.
• Collaborate with data managers to define and implement data standards and common data elements for data collection.
• Identify new sources of data and methods to improve data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Serve as a resource for non-routine inquiries such as requests for statistics or surveys.
• Lead the implementation of data standards and common data elements for data collection.
• Collaborate with technical staff to standardize and systemize routine reports, dashboards, and metrics.
• Other duties may also be assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree and one year of experience or a combination of education and relevant experience. Experience in a quantitative discipline such as economics, finance, statistics, or engineering. A Master's degree in journalism is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Basic knowledge and demonstrated experience using and applying analytical software, database management system software, database reporting software, database user interface and query software, and data mining software.
• Ability to collect data using a variety of methods, such as data mining and hardcopy or electronic documentation study, to improve or expand databases.
• Strong listening, verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple activities in a deadline-oriented environment; highly organized, flexible and rigorous attention to detail.
• Ability to use logic to calculate data; efficiently construct a database or scrutinize the form of a question.
• Ability to work with data of varying levels of quality and validity.
• Demonstrated ability to produce data in a clear and understandable manner, meeting user requirements.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple internal and external customers.

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• Knowledge of prediction markets and analysis of data tied to prediction markets.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently stand/walk, sit, use a telephone, and grasp lightly/fine manipulation.
• Occasionally grasp forcefully, writing by hand.
• Rarely sort/file paperwork; lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.

Hybrid or Remote

The expected pay range for this position is $48,089.00 to $89,796.00 per annum. The actual pay will be pro-rated based on the 95% FTE.