Arizona Department of Education

The Arizona Department of Education is a service organization committed to raising academic outcomes and empowering parents.

ACCOUNTABILITY & RESEARCH, DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Job Location:

Accountability & Research Section

Phoenix Location

Posting Details:

Salary: $87,000 - $92,000 

Grade: 23

Closing Date: 02/11/2025

Job Summary:

accountability measures, and ensures valid data usage in compliance with state and federal mandates.
• Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel is required for this position.

The Arizona Department of Education currently utilizes a hybrid work environment, with up to two days of remote work (contingent upon business needs). Candidates should apply with an ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.

Job Duties:

• Lead and manage a team of early-career Data Analysts, providing clear guidance, mentorship, and performance feedback
• Oversee project pipelines, set priorities, and ensure timely, high-quality deliverables that align with state and federal guidelines
• Serve as the primary liaison with school leaders, policymakers, and other education stakeholders to gather feedback, address concerns, and facilitate policy discussions
• Develop and deliver engaging training sessions that enhance data literacy and promote a shared understanding of accountability measures
• Maintain rigorous data validation procedures to ensure accuracy, reliability, and security of accountability metrics and reports
• Oversee data integrity for state and federal reporting requirements, including EdFacts, School Report Cards, and other critical mandates
• Research and propose new tools, processes, or analytical methods to enhance the efficiency and impact of accountability initiatives
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and promote best practices for data usage, analysis, and reporting
• Collaborate with ADE leadership and cross-functional teams to shape long-term goals, and inform policy decisions
• Provide high-level guidance to ensure data-informed insights are embedded in broader departmental and statewide educational initiatives

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:
• Data validation, data integrity protocols, and best practices for creating accurate accountability reports
• Understanding of adult learning principles and effective training strategies for diverse educator audiences
• Interpret data, validate findings by asking probing questions, and present insights in a compelling, easy-to-understand format—ensuring the data effectively informs decision-making and sparks further analysis
• A bachelor’s degree in education, Data Science, Public Policy, or a related field or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree, is required.
• Applicants must have supervisory experience.

Skills in:
• Demonstrated track record of supervising and mentoring staff, setting priorities, and ensuring project deadlines are met
• Overseeing multiple projects concurrently, implementing rigorous data quality checks, and ensuring compliance with specific guidelines
• Able to synthesize feedback, analyze data, and propose innovative solutions to novel problems

Ability to:
• Engage stakeholders, present complex data findings, and lead discussions that build consensus
• Capacity to work cross-functionally within ADE and with external stakeholders, incorporating diverse input to shape policies
• Skilled at navigating complex policy discussions and building relationships with a range of education leaders and policymakers
• Evolving accountability requirements, and dynamic project scopes
• Capability to distill technical or statistical information into practical insights for non-technical audiences
• Talent for identifying improvement opportunities, championing new processes, and maintaining a forward-thinking approach to accountability measures

Selective Preference(s):

• Preference will be given to those applicants with data science programming in Python and/or K-12 education experience and master’s degree.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Offers are contingent upon successful completion of all background and reference checks, required documents and, if applicable, a post-offer medical/physical evaluation.

If this position requires driving or the