Freelance Data Analyst R Programming Jobs in Evanston, IL

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.
The Office of Information and Technology Services (ITS) works to build the capacity of schools to use information and technology, maintain network infrastructure, security standards, and support other departments to meet district goals. ITS provides innovative technology solutions that improve the quality of education for students, reduce the administrative burden on educators, facilitate parent interaction, increase community engagement, and support CPS' mission of transparency by focusing on the ease and equity of access to information.
Job Summary:
The Senior Data Analyst plays a crucial role in supporting data-driven decision-making at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) by transforming raw data into actionable insights. Reporting to the Manager, Master Data Management, the Senior Data Analyst will collaborate with diverse teams across the district to provide data-driven recommendations, contribute to the development of AI/ML models, and support the district's mission to provide a world-class education for every child. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.
This position will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
• Collect, clean, and organize large datasets from various sources (student information systems, assessments, operational data, etc.).
• Perform exploratory data analysis (EDA) to identify patterns, trends, and anomalies in data; Apply statistical methods and data mining techniques to uncover meaningful insights.
• Create compelling visualizations and dashboards using Power BI to effectively communicate findings to stakeholders. Fulfill data requests by researching, preparing, and delivering data.
• Translate complex data analyses into clear and concise reports that inform decision-making.
• Collaborate with data scientists on the development and implementation of AI/ML models. Prepare and analyze data for use in machine learning algorithms. Assist in evaluating and validating model performance.
• Adhere to data governance policies and procedures established by the MDM & Data/AI team.
• Ensure data quality and integrity through rigorous data cleaning and validation processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., academics, operations, finance) to understand their data needs and provide data-driven recommendations. Effectively communicate technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data analysis techniques and tools.
• Other duties as assigned
Education Required:
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required.
Experience Required:
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience as a Data Analyst or similar role including the following is required:
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Strong understanding of statistical concepts and data analysis techniques and tools.
• Proficiency in SQL and at least one programming language (e.g., Python, R).
• Familiarity with data warehousing and ETL processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Ability to uncover patterns and trends.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentations, listening, and writing.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible to support schools and principals.
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps.
Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:
• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.