Think Small, Minnesota's leader in early learning, is dedicated to advancing early childhood care and education.  We are still committed to the principles that gave rise to our organization 50 years ago - that the quality of a child's early experiences greatly influences his or her success later in life and there is much that can be done to improve the quality of early childhood settings to optimize a child's development.

Important Information for Applicants

Before applying, please note that only candidates meeting the following requirements will be considered:

  1. We do not offer visa sponsorship (e.g., H-1B).
  2. Hybrid schedule: this role requires on-site work every Wednesday and Thursday.
  3. Minnesota-based applicants only, specifically within the Twin Cities area.
  4. A cover letter detailing why your qualifications align with Think Small's mission.

Job Summary:

This position produces and maintains analytics dashboards and performs other reporting and data analyses for Think Small and its various departments and programs. Collaborates with various internal teams to understand and document requirements for analytics, manages, merges, and maintains data from various sources, helps to standardize definitions for reported metrics, and produces narratives on major insights from data. Activities include, but are not limited to, managing databases and dashboards, designing analytical approaches, developing new measures, performing data collection and analysis, report writing and production, tracking project activities and tasks, and helping to ensure the overall success of initiatives and programs in and across multiple departments. This is a hybrid position. Ability to travel to Little Canada, MN for Wednesday and Thursday in-office days required. Remote applicants will not be considered.

Common Interactions:  

Think Small operation, IT, and program departments; management team; finance team. 

Essential Job Functions:

1. Data Analysis, Reporting, and Dashboarding: 

  • Update existing dashboards and produce accurate and user-friendly reports, charts, and graphs that conform to agency and contract holder guidelines and standards as well as best practices 
  • Work with data team to clean, format, transform, load, and analyze large data sets according to reporting/request guidelines 
  • Prepare, submit and communicate reports and summaries to internal and external audiences 
  • Translate complex data findings into clear, actionable recommendations for both technical and non-technical audiences 
  • Respond to internal and external requests for reports and dashboards, which may include unplanned requests requiring quick turn-around time 
  • Extract data by creating complex query definitions that allow data to be extracted and/or modify and run existing queries 

 

2. Data Management: 

  • Coordinate with the data team to design, maintain, enhance, code, and administer internal databases 
  • Set up and test new software, databases, and data handling systems in partnership with IT 
  • Strong understanding of data privacy regulations and ethical considerations related to data handling and reporting 
 
3. User Assistance:
  • Create, maintain and update user documentation on database use, reporting, and hygiene for system users 
  • In partnership with the data team, develop and maintain a system and processes for storing reports, dashboards, and other content 
  • Troubleshoot user concerns / problems 
  • Participate in continuous improvement efforts throughout the organization in enhancing performance and providing increased functionality 
  • Provide training to agency staff related to data collection, analysis, and interpretation/application of findings 
  • Work with system users to identify needs or new functionality 
 
4. Documentation: 
  • Create, maintain and update user documentation on data definitions, dashboard use, reports, etc. 
  • Create, provide documentation and follow processes to ensure the highest possible level of accuracy 
 
5. Technology: 
  • Learn and use new technologies, techniques, software, data types, tools, etc. as needed 
 
6. Employee Expectations:
  • Perform all job duties to department expectations and standards 
  • Perform other duties as assigned 
  • Maintain regular, reliable attendance  
  • Collaboration with customers, coworkers and external partners 
  • Timely, engaged participation in meetings 
  • Safe job performance 
  • Competency in required computer programs 
  • Prepare reports as required, requested 
  • Current, valid certifications as required 

Requirements: 

Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Science, or field in which strong data analysis skills are acquired. 

 

Experience:

  • 1-2 years of experience extracting, transforming, loading, and analyzing large data sets, including large, publicly available data sets such as the American Community Survey 
  • Significant experience in data dashboards is required 
  • Sensitivity to and understanding of diverse populations and the ability to analyze data in a way that considers equity and inclusivity 
  • Strong work experience in business intelligence, user experience, or other data reporting 
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to analyze complex problems and develop actionable solutions 
  • Significant experience developing data dashboards and writing reports to present the results in a clear and concise manner 
  • Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy; and ability to deliver on schedule and meet deadlines 
  • Demonstrated ability to work in mixed settings (independently, collaboratively, in groups) and to take detailed instruction from supervisor and other administrators 
  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously 
  • Good writing and oral communication skills 
  • Nonprofit experience preferred 

 

Computer knowledge: 

  • Significant experience with BI tools; strong proficiency in Power BI a must; experience with Salesforce preferred; excellent proficiency utilizing data tools, particularly MS Excel and MS Power Suite, especially Power App. 
  • Strong functional knowledge of computer applications for data acquisition and analysis is required 

 

Physical demands:

  • This position is mostly sedentary with occasional demands to walk and stand 
  • There is frequent keyboarding and computer use and communicating via email, video/phone, and in person 

Additional Information:   

Travel demands:
  •  Limited local travel   
 
Hybrid Position:
  • This position is available immediately with a hybrid schedule, requiring on-site work every Wednesday and Thursday.
  • Applicants must be located in the Twin Cities
 
Cover Letter: 
  • A cover letter is required with your application

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life, vision, pet, critical illness, and long-term care insurance.
  • Medical and dependent care flex spending accounts, Health Savings Account (HS), legal and ID protection plans.
  • Pre-tax and ROTH 401k with employer match.
  • Generous paid time off: 23 days of sick/vacation time earned the first year PLUS 9 scheduled holidays and 4 floating holidays for those whose needs don't conform to the federal holiday calendar.
  • 6 weeks paid parent leave and infants-at-work program (available after 1 year of employment)

 

Join us in our mission to make a difference in the community and the lives of young children. If you have a passion and desire to drive organizational success, we encourage you to apply.Think Small is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. 

 

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