Data Specialists (Consultant) – Posting #219-26

SALARY:  $48-58 per hour (commensurate with skills and experience)

The Department of Children and Families (DCF), Office of Data Management and Reporting, is seeking two (2) qualified individuals to fill the Data Specialist position located in Trenton. Please note that this is a contract position and not a New Jersey State position. The successful candidates will be employed by 22nd Century and will work on a contract basis, with an hourly rate of $48-$58, 35-hour work week. The duration of this position is 12 months, with a potential extension. This position will be predominantly remote, with once-monthly in-person meetings in Trenton, NJ. Additional in-office days may be required based on business needs.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) seeks two (2) Data Specialists (Consultant) to support the organization, quality, and usability of programmatic data across the Department. Under the supervision of the Data Acquisition Lead will ensure that data is consistently collected, maintained, cleaned, and prepared for analysis and reporting by program and research teams. This role focuses on establishing and managing data workflows, implementing data quality protocols, developing guidance for data entry and adhering to data governance policies, and recommending improvements to data collection processes. The Data Specialist will work closely with the divisions and programs to which they are assigned, ensuring that high-quality, well-documented data is readily available for reporting, analysis, and decision-making.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Data Specialist will engage in the following activities in this role:

Manage Data and Data Collection Efforts

Download, compile, and organize incoming programmatic data on a routine basis.

Clean and prepare datasets by checking for completeness, accuracy, consistency, and quality issues.

Identify data errors or irregularities and communicate needed corrections to program staff or supervisors.

Maintain documentation of data sources, data dictionaries, codebooks, and data management protocols.

Develop, refine, and maintain data workflows and processes that support consistent and high-quality data collection.

Recommend improvements to data collection practices and tools based on recurring issues or inefficiencies.

Provide guidance and training to program staff on data entry expectations, data definitions, and data management practices.

Prepare Data for Internal Stakeholders and Research Teams

Reorganize, merge, and structure datasets to ensure they are ready for analysis by research and evaluation teams.

Respond to internal data requests by compiling and securely providing cleaned, well-documented datasets.

Collaborate with program and research staff to understand data needs and ensure datasets are usable and accessible.

Support Reporting and Dashboard Development

Assist Business Intelligence (BI) developers by preparing structured datasets and documenting data logic for

dashboard development.

Provide feedback and troubleshooting support during dashboard creation and refinement.

Occasionally develop simple dashboards or visualizations when needed, using tools such as Excel, Tableau, or Power BI.

Additional Responsibilities

Participate in meetings with data system stakeholders to discuss data needs, issues, and workflow improvements.

Support ongoing data governance processes, including version control, standardization, and data stewardship practices.

Perform additional data-related duties as assigned.

TECHNICAL LANDSCAPE

The incumbent will be expected to use the following tools in addition to any other tools NJDCF would deem required in the future:

Domain

Required

Preferred

Data & Analytics

MS Excel, Tableau, Power BI, Salesforce, SQL, Python or R

VBA

Collaboration & Research Tools

MS SharePoint

REDCap, MS Project

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from an accredited college or university in a relevant discipline; coursework in data management, data analytics, information science, or a related field preferred.

Minimum of 3 years of experience working with large datasets, including data cleaning, data preparation, and data documentation.

Demonstrated experience with routine data management tasks such as downloading data, cleaning and validating records, resolving data quality issues, and preparing datasets for analysis.

Proficiency with tools used for data organization and preparation, including Excel, SQL, and at least one programming language such as Python or R.

Experience supporting dashboard or report development by preparing structured datasets and documenting data logic; ability to occasionally build basic dashboards in Excel, Tableau, or Power BI is a plus.

Strong understanding of data quality principles, data governance practices, and workflow development.

Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to identify data inconsistencies and recommend improvements to data collection processes.

Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with program staff, research teams, and internal stakeholders around data needs and issues.

Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple datasets and data processes simultaneously.

RESUME NOTE: Eligibility determinations will be based upon information presented on the resume only. Applicants who possess a degree from a college or university outside the United States must provide an evaluation of one’s transcripts from a recognized evaluation service at the time of submission by the above closing date. Failure to do so may result in your ineligibility.

LICENSE:  Appointees will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

TO APPLY: You must submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document, saving the file by your Last Name, First Name. Include “(Your Name) – Application for Data Specialist (Consultant) Position” in the subject line of your email. Please indicate in your cover letter where you found this job opportunity and send the file to:

Email: NJDCFODMR@dcf.nj.gov

The Department of Children and Families is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment which reflects the diversity of the state we serve.