Data Analyst I

Iowa State University • Ames, IA

8d

About The Position

The Seed Science Center at Iowa State University is hiring a part-time Data Analyst I to support operational reporting, data quality, and program assessment. The role turns data from multiple systems into useful information for evaluating performance, informing decisions, and identifying opportunities for improvement. The position is 50% FTE, averaging approximately 20 hours per week, with flexible scheduling. It is a term position with a proposed end date of February 28, 2029, and may have an opportunity for renewal.

The analyst will work with operational data related to sample volumes, testing activities, customer service, turnaround times, revenue, workload distribution, and program performance. The role also supports accreditation reviews, annual reporting, program assessment, evaluation of organizational goals, and performance measures. The candidate will help staff access and use data resources, maintain reporting documentation, and provide basic support for reporting systems and business applications. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship; immigration sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience analyzing data to identify trends, patterns, or operational performance measures.
• Experience developing reports, dashboards, or data visualizations using Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar tools.
• Experience collecting, cleaning, validating, and maintaining datasets from multiple sources.
• Experience using databases, reporting systems, or business applications to retrieve, organize, or manage data.
• Experience documenting data definitions, reporting procedures, or data quality standards.
• Experience communicating analytical findings or providing training and technical assistance to help others use data and reporting tools.
• MS SQL and MS Visual Studio experience.

Responsibilities

• Analyze operational data to identify trends in sample volumes, testing activities, customer service, turnaround times, revenue, workload distribution, and program performance.
• Develop recurring and ad hoc reports, dashboards, visualizations, and performance metrics to support decisions and operational improvements.
• Collect, organize, clean, validate, and maintain data from multiple systems to ensure accuracy, consistency, and completeness.
• Investigate data discrepancies, resolve reporting issues, and collaborate with information technology staff on system updates and improvements.
• Document data definitions, reporting methods, business rules, and data quality standards.
• Support accreditation reviews, annual reporting, program assessment, and evaluation of organizational goals and performance measures.
• Participate in user testing and validation of system updates and reporting modifications.
• Help staff access, interpret, and use reports and data resources, and develop training materials and user documentation as needed.
• Follow established data governance practices and FAIR data principles to ensure data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable.
• Provide basic support for reporting systems and business applications and assist student employees or project participants as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical and dental benefits.
• Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
• Vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans.
• Onsite childcare in Ames, Iowa.
• Life insurance and long-term disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Wellbeing program.
• WorkFlex options for some positions, offering flexibility in when, where, and how work is done.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level