Accountability Data Analyst

Full Job Description

Colorado Department of Education – What We Do
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) provides leadership, resources, support, and accountability to the state's 178 school districts, 1,888 schools, over 53,000 teachers, and over 3,200 administrators to help them build capacity to meet the needs of the state's approximately 905,000 public school students. In addition, CDE provides structural and administrative support to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Charter School Institute.

As the administrative arm of the State Board of Education, CDE is responsible for implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, holding schools and districts accountable for performance, licensing all educators, and providing public transparency of performance and financial data.

CDE is a values-based agency that serves students, parents, and the general public by protecting public trust through ensuring adherence to laws, strong stewardship of public funds, and accountability for student performance.

CDE strives to incorporate five core values that we uphold in our work internally and externally. If you come to CDE, be prepared to incorporate Integrity, Equity, Accountability, Trust, and commitment to Service in what you do.

Why Work For CDE
The work we do is rewarding and impacts the students, families, educators, and communities across Colorado. Our leadership also promotes a culture that puts families and self-care as a priority. Along with meaningful work and an environment that puts employees first, the state also offers rich benefits that intend to make us an Employer of Choice!
The following is a summary of the benefits we offer:

• Flexible work schedules and flexible workplace options that may include flexible working hours, working from home, working in the office, and/or a hybrid working environment.
• Premier medical, dental, vision, and dependent life insurance options. All with a generous employer contribution keeping employee costs as low as possible.
• Employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance.
• Up to 160 hours of Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML).
• 11 paid holidays per year.
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals.
• Retirement through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) www.copera.org.
• Employer-paid RTD Eco Pass (certain restrictions may apply).
• Paid professional development opportunities.

A wide salary range is posted for this position, and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority relative to others performing substantially similar work. While most salary offers are made within the posted range, occasionally an offer is made below or above the posted range based upon this salary analysis.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

Requirements

Work Environment:

• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs.
• 15% Travel required within the State of Colorado for Meetings/Training.
• Overnight Trips may be required.
• Out-of-State Travel may be required.
• A Remote (Home) office is required.
• Required to report to the work location per business needs OR Daily.
• Essential Functions (ADAAA)
  • LIGHT/Office environment:
    • Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time.
    • May be required to lift and move up to 10 lbs of force frequently or 20 lbs occasionally.
    • Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.
    • Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
      
  • DL Not Required: Required to independently obtain and determine means to complete travel requirements. (For positions that only report to CDE locations and can use public transportation to complete that.)

Position Summary:
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is seeking a skilled Accountability Data Analyst to join the Accountability Analytics Team. This position plays a key role in producing, validating, and improving Colorado’s annual school and district performance ratings, including the District Performance Frameworks (DPFs) and School Performance Frameworks (SPFs). This role is also critical to maintaining relationships with school and district accountability contacts to ensure they are informed of the most updated calculations and able to interpret new accountability measures. Each year, Colorado schools and districts receive performance ratings to inform educators, families, and communities about how well they serve students. These ratings are based on student achievement and growth on state assessments, along with postsecondary measures such as graduation rates, dropout rates, college entrance exams, and college matriculation rates. These ratings guide decision-making by CDE and the Colorado State Board of Education (SBE) regarding supports and interventions for schools and districts. The Analyst will contribute technical expertise, analytic rigor, and collaborative problem-solving to ensure accountability metrics are accurate, transparent, and aligned with state and federal policy.

Why Join CDE? This role offers the opportunity to directly impact educational outcomes across Colorado. Your work will inform statewide decisions about school improvement, resource allocation, and accountability policy — helping ensure all students have access to high-quality educational opportunities.

The final salary is anticipated to fall within the posted salary range, however could be higher or lower depending on the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other qualifications of the preferred candidate while considering internal equity.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Accountability Framework Development & Maintenance

• Contribute to the annual production of DPFs and SPFs while working directly with district accountability contacts (DACs) and other field stakeholders to explain methodology, indicators, and results.
• Coach stakeholders from Colorado school districts, BOCES, and charter organizations on data submission, interpretation, and use of accountability metrics, including District and School Performance Frameworks (DPFs/SPFs).
• Calculate and validate accountability indicators, including academic achievement; academic growth; graduation rates; dropout rates; and postsecondary readiness measures and consult with district partners on how these measures are calculated and interpreted.
• Design and implement business rules and weighting methodologies aligned to state and federal accountability requirements in CDE’s data warehouse in collaboration with Information Management Systems (IMS) using SQL queries and ELT procedures.
• Maintain and improve reproducible analytic workflows.
• Train DACs and other field stakeholders on changes to performance framework methodologies to ensure accountability calculations are transparent and usable.

Data Analysis, Validation, & Technical Assistance

• Conduct statistical analyses using large-scale longitudinal student-level data to support district and school understanding of accountability results and trends.
• Assess school and district data accuracy, consistency, and compliance through data quality assurance procedures.
• Identify anomalies, data quality issues, and trends and consult with internal and external stakeholders to contextualize results and support data-informed improvement planning.
• Coach DACs to investigate and resolve potential data discrepancies or anomalies.
• Manage collaboration with internal data teams to resolve discrepancies and ensure accurate accountability calculations.
• Mentor districts and BOCES on interpreting accountability indicators, growth measures, and related data.

Reporting & Communication

• Develop and deliver technical documentation describing methodologies, calculations, and business rules for school and district stakeholders.
• Train external stakeholders such as district accountability contacts to support effective use of accountability and growth data.
• Coach accountability stakeholders in schools and districts seeking guidance on accountability metrics, data interpretation, and reporting processes through activities such as weekly office hours, etc.
• Develop and implement presentations to field advisory groups such as the AWG, ACEE, etc to gather feedback and inform the ongoing development of accountability policies and practices.
• Support public reporting processes and respond to data inquiries from districts and stakeholders as needed.
• Develop clear, field-facing data visualizations, guidance materials, and summary reports for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Present findings to internal teams, leadership, and external stakeholders as needed.
• Analyze the impact of proposed policy changes on accountability outcomes and communicate implications to internal and external stakeholders. Support simulations and scenario modeling related to indicator adjustments.

Qualifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in statistics, mathematics, economics, data science, computer science, public policy, educational research, or a related field with significant quantitative coursework.
• At least 2 years of professional experience in data analysis, applied statistics, or education data systems (graduate-level coursework may substitute for experience).

QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS:
Qualifications for Success in the Position:

• Demonstrated ability to design and implement scalable, modular SQL-based data systems from the ground up, including advanced ETL orchestration, reusable logic structures (e.g., parameterized views, stored procedures), and performance-optimized transformations across large, multi-source datasets.
• Strong statistical reasoning and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate complex technical information into accessible explanations.
• Experience working with large administrative datasets.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
• High level of organization and ability to manage multiple deadlines during peak reporting cycles.
• Collaborative mindset with strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel.
• Experience creating dashboards or interactive data visualizations; familiarity with Tableau preferred.
• Commitment to educational equity and continuous improvement.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail (proofing work, spelling, grammar, formatting, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to effectively balance quality of work and productivity expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external customers (e.g. school districts, other CDE units).
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and organize work to accommodate and meet the changing needs of the department and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and exhibit a proactive approach to work.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as on a team.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

Preferred Qualifications (Preferred/Not Required):

• Familiarity with longitudinal data systems and student growth methodologies preferred; experience conducting simulation modeling or policy impact analyses preferred; and knowledge of R statistical programming language highly preferred.

Conditions of Employment (Required):

• Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
• Ability and willingness to independently determine, obtain means, and complete required travel (15% Travel required within the State of Colorado for Meetings/Training).
• Work extended schedule per business needs.
• Report to work location per business needs.
• DL Not Required: Required to independently determine and obtain means to complete travel requirements (15% Travel required within the State of Colorado for Meetings/Training).
• Sign the acknowledgment form that this position is funded through state funds and is subject to availability.

Additional Information

Complete Applications must include:

• Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS.
• Cover Letter: Required - Attached to the application
• Resume: Required - Attached to the application
• Transcript: Required if using education to meet MQs - Attached to the online application and meeting requirements as described under "College Transcripts".

FOR CURRENT OR FORMER EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE OF COLORADO:

Per the requirements of the Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024, any State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification’s pay range based on completed years in their current class series as of June 30. All current and former State employees must ensure that your entire work history within the State Classified System, including at Institutions of Higher Education, is indicated in your application so that your time-in-series can be calculated accurately.

Email Address:
All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted via email. Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked often as time-sensitive correspondence such as exam information or notification will take place via email. Please set up your e-mail to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam-filtered email.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Equal Employment Opportunity
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, a medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Colorado Department of Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to hr@cde.state.co.us.