Education Data Programmer

Position Overview

The Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world‐class educational system. In this contractual role as a Data Reporting Specialist, you will provide strategic direction in education data collection management to meet the Department’s reporting needs under ESSA, ESSER, and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Compensation: State Salary Grade 21 – Annual Salary Range: $77,204 - $96,961 (with progression to $119,591). Location: Nancy S. Grasmick Education Building, 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide management, analysis, and reporting of education data.
• Acquire data from the MSDE Office of Performance Reporting and Accountability data warehouse and design/manage datasets using SAS.
• Write SAS programs to organize and clean data, ensuring the creation of valid datasets.
• Analyze data and interpret results to prepare reports for legislators, the general public, and internal stakeholders.
• Communicate policies, procedures, and guidelines to support the education compliance information management program.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Master’s Degree or equivalent 36 credit hours of post-baccalaureate coursework from an accredited institution.
• Experience: At least four (4) years of data collection, management, and analysis experience. Experience in an education program is preferred, including providing technical assistance related to education data.
• Familiarity with analytical/reporting tools such as Tableau, PowerBI, and SAS is desired.
• Substitution options: Two additional years of directly related experience may replace the required education; or a Doctorate degree may substitute for one year of experience; or equivalent U.S. Armed Forces military service experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of experience writing computer programs for data cleaning, management, and reporting.
• Knowledge of educational accountability programs and experience in creating/managing data collection systems.
• Strong skills in data management, analysis (SAS preferred), and interpreting research findings.
• Ability to provide technical guidance and maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external teams.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to manage timelines and analyze complex program issues.

Benefits & Perks

• Health Benefits: Contractual employees working 30+ hours are eligible for subsidized health benefits, with 25% premium payment responsibility for medical and prescription coverage, and the State covering the remaining 75%.
• Optional dental, accidental death/dismemberment, and life insurance available at the full premium cost.
• Leave accrues at one hour for every 30 hours worked (up to 40 hours per calendar year) once 120 days of work are completed in a 12-month period.