Data Specialist Job at West Liberty University in West Liberty

Welcome to West Liberty University!  

Mission Statement:

West Liberty University is a public university with a rich history of providing students with a comprehensive education from undergraduate to graduate degrees.  Through experiential learning and personalized support, we empower students toward scholarly exploration, creative expression, and economic opportunity.

The Opportunity:

West Liberty University seeks an experienced and detail-oriented Data Specialist to manage, analyze, and report on institutional data critical to enhancing student learning, program evaluation, and institutional effectiveness. The Data Specialist will work closely with departments across the university to ensure accurate data collection, maintenance, and analysis.  Key responsibilities include managing student assessment data, faculty evaluations, course evaluations, and other institutional data, utilizing data management and field placement software like Watermark. This role supports data-driven decision making, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives at the university.  

Essential Functions of the position:

• Data Collection & Management
  • Oversee the collection, storage, and maintenance of institutional data, including but not limited to student assessments, faculty evaluations, course evaluations, and program outcomes.
• Data Analysis & Reporting
  • Analyze and interpret data to identify trends, measure outcomes, and provide insights that support institutional and departmental goals.  Prepare and distribute reports, visualizations, and summaries for key stakeholders.
• Software Management
  • Utilize data management and field placement software, such as Watermark, to streamline data processes. Maintain the integrity and accuracy of data within these systems, troubleshooting as necessary.
• Quality Assurance
  • Implement and maintain data quality protocols to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data across the institution.
• Stakeholder Collaboration
  • Collaborate with faculty, administration, and staff to support data-driven initiatives and respond to requests for institutional data. Assist with training and support for faculty and staff on data entry and software use.
• Compliance & Security
  • Ensure all data collection, storage, and reporting processes comply with university policies and relevant privacy laws and standards, including FERPA.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Contribute to ongoing improvement of data processes, including recommending and implementing enhancements to data systems, workflows, and reporting capabilities.

Education & Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Information Systems, Education, Business, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in data management, analysis, or a related role.
• Experience working with data management and field placement software, particularly Watermark, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with institutional assessment processes and higher education data needs is highly desirable.

Skills/Abilities:  

• Proficiency in data management and analysis tools, including statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R) and database management systems.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret and communicate data insights to diverse audiences.
• Excellent attention to detail, with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing reports and visualizations.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of higher education data reporting standards and metrics.
• Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI.

Working Conditions:

• This position is based at West Liberty University and may require occasional travel for training or conferences.

Why you should apply:   

West Liberty University offers generous benefits, including approximately 2 days of annual leave (vacation) per month and 12-13 paid holidays.  Visit the WLU Benefit Page for more details: https://westliberty.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits

For the academic year employees, their dependents, and spouses are eligible for a 100% waiver for undergraduate tuition and only employees are eligible for 50% waiver for graduate tuition for certain programs.  

Free use of the Wellness facilities and free admission into all WLU events with your employee Topper Card.  

West Liberty University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all interested individuals.  Individuals who need assistance in the application process may contact Human Resources at hr@westliberty.edu. 

West Liberty University does not sponsor work visas.  Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Successfully passing a background screening report is required for final employment. 

West Liberty University is a tobacco free campus.