Senior Data Analyst Contract Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Company Overview

K.L. Scott & Associates (KLSA) is a mission-driven management and technology consulting firm that partners with public-sector organizations to modernize operations, strengthen data and AI capabilities, and deliver measurable impact. KLSA combines strategic advisory services with hands-on delivery; bringing product leadership, secure data engineering, systems integration, and user-centered design to help clients translate complex requirements into scalable, high-quality solutions.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Data Analyst with at least 7+ years of experience in data analytics to support a federal client in designing, developing, and delivering data-driven decision-support products. This role will focus on extracting data from multiple source systems, building trusted datasets, developing SQL queries and ETL logic, and producing complex analysis, dashboards, and visualizations for client leadership.

Senior Data Analyst

The Senior Data Analyst will serve as a senior technical and analytical contributor, working closely with federal public safety stakeholders, project leadership, business analysts, data analysts, and dashboard developers. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator, an experienced hands-on analyst, and a collaborative team lead who can mentor junior analysts and lead small project teams.

The ideal candidate will reside in or within commutable distance to Washington DC.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Lead complex data analysis efforts to identify trends, patterns, risks, performance drivers, and actionable insights that support federal client leadership decisions.
• Extract, transform, and integrate data from multiple source systems to build reliable datasets for reporting, dashboards, and advanced analysis.
• Develop, optimize, and maintain SQL queries, views, scripts, and data logic used to support dashboards, ad hoc reports, and recurring decision-support products.
• Utilize Python scripting for ETL processes, including data extraction, cleansing, transformation, validation, and preparation for downstream analysis and visualization.
• Design and build curated datasets, data models, and data structures that support accurate, repeatable, and scalable reporting.
• Develop dashboards, data visuals, and business intelligence products using Power BI, and other BI tools.
• Integrate Python into Power BI for highly customizable and complex statistical visualizations
• Build ad hoc reports and analytical products in response to client leadership, operational, and program management needs.
• Partner with federal client stakeholders, public safety subject matter experts, business analysts, and internal data teams to define metrics, KPIs, reporting requirements, and data definitions.
• Translate complex data findings into clear narratives, visuals, and recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Perform data quality checks, data profiling, reconciliation, and validation to ensure accuracy and reliability of reporting outputs.
• Lead small project teams, coordinate analytical workstreams, assign tasks, monitor progress, and communicate risks, issues, and status to project leadership.
• Mentor junior data analysts by reviewing work products, sharing analytical best practices, supporting skill development, and promoting consistent documentation standards.
• Support user acceptance testing, dashboard validation, defect resolution, and stakeholder feedback cycles.
• Create and maintain documentation, including data dictionaries, business rules, analytical assumptions, data lineage notes, and dashboard user guidance.
• Identify opportunities to improve data processes, dashboard usability, automation, reporting consistency, and analytical efficiency.

Required Qualifications: 

• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in data analytics, data science, business intelligence, reporting, data engineering, or a related analytical role.
• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Science in Business degree in Data Analytics, Data Science, Information Systems, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Finance, or an equivalent field.
• At least three years of experience with Python libraries such as pandas, dataframes, matplotlib, numpy, etc.
• At least three years of writing complex DAX and M-language formulas involving financial data
• At least five years of experience in finance or accounting
• Experience in statistical modeling and financial forecasting (linear regression/logical regression/time series forecasting)
• Experience automating workflows
• Hands-on experience extracting data from multiple source systems and developing datasets for dashboarding, reporting, and analysis.
• Strong experience writing and optimizing SQL queries for data extraction, analysis, transformation, and reporting.
• Experience coding or supporting ETL processes, including data cleansing, transformation, validation, and integration.
• Experience developing dashboards and visualizations in Tableau and Power BI.
• Experience with business intelligence tools, data visualization concepts, dashboard design, and reporting best practices.
• Ability to conduct complex data analysis and communicate findings clearly to client leadership and technical teams.
• Experience building ad hoc reports and recurring analytical deliverables for decision support.
• Experience leading small teams or analytical workstreams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain data concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work in a fast-paced, client-facing environment.
• Must be in-person in Washington, D.C. 5 days a week.
• Must have or be able to obtain full scope background investigation and clearance.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience supporting federal clients, particularly federal public safety, law enforcement, emergency management, homeland security, or related mission environments.
• Expert in Python, SQL, and Power BI DAX
• Expert in financial modeling and forecasting
• Expert in ETL/ELT processes
• Expert in BASH commands and PowerShell
• Experience working in government consulting, federal data modernization, or mission analytics environments.
• Experience with additional BI, reporting, or analytics tools beyond Tableau and Power BI.
• Experience with dashboard performance optimization, data governance, data quality frameworks, or data management best practices.
• Familiarity with Agile, hybrid, or iterative delivery methods.
• Experience developing executive-level dashboards, operational performance dashboards, or public safety decision-support products.

Desired Skills & Competencies:

• Advanced analytical thinking and ability to connect data findings to mission and business decisions.
• Expert in Python, SQL, DAX, ETL/ELT, dataset development, dashboarding, and data visualization skills.
• Ability to lead small teams while remaining hands-on with data analysis and BI development.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and presentation skills.
• Ability to mentor analysts and promote consistent analytical standards.
• High attention to detail and commitment to data quality, documentation, and repeatable analytical methods.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively with federal clients, public safety stakeholders, business analysts, data analysts, and technical teams.

Benefits: 

• Competitive salary
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401K
• "Discretionary" PTO
• Professional development opportunities
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment

Working Environment: 

This role will support a federal client and requires regular collaboration with client stakeholders, public safety subject matter experts, business analysts, data analysts, dashboard developers, and project leadership. The Senior Data Analyst will play a key role in turning complex data into trusted dashboards, data visuals, reports, and insights that support client leadership decision-making.

If you are a results-driven professional and have the above qualifications, we encourage you to apply for this position. Join our team and contribute to our continued growth and success. To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this role. 

K.L. Scott & Associates is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.