Data Integration Specialist (Contract-to-Hire Remote-US)

DataKind

1d • $60 - $67 • Remote

About The Position

DataKind is hiring a Data Integration Specialist for a remote, U.S.-based contract-to-hire role supporting a major higher education initiative. The position is expected to continue through February 2027, with the possibility of conversion to a full-time staff position. The role averages approximately 40 hours per week, with the majority of working hours each day falling between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time. Compensation is $60–$67 per hour.

The specialist will help consolidate data across higher education systems by using expertise in data schemas to map, transform, and validate data. The goal is to create a unified data model and technology tools that help colleges and universities prepare data for analysis supporting student outcomes. The role reports to the Director, Research and collaborates with internal teammates and external users to ensure the model meets operational needs.

Requirements

• Deep alignment with DataKind's mission and values, with a demonstrated commitment to educational equity and data-driven social impact.
• Ability to translate data between structures, identify partial field matches and potential loss of meaning, and determine when fields need to be split or merged.
• Skill in writing data dictionaries and mapping specifications and tracking data provenance so transformations are traceable and repeatable.
• Experience with data architecture and governance as a foundation for producing insights from institutional data.
• Direct experience working with higher education data schemas and databases, including SIS, LMS, and related educational technology platforms.
• Strong understanding of data transformations and data quality checks.
• Proven ability to review and prioritize data columns across multiple systems for integration.
• Familiarity with SQL and Python.
• Strong project and time management skills, including estimating task duration, keeping deadlines on track, and communicating with team members about deliverables.
• U.S.-based permanent address and current authorization to work in the United States indefinitely without employer visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Agile methodologies.
• Ability to use Git for version control.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL.
• Experience with complex data transformation tools such as dbt and data validation frameworks such as Great Expectations.
• Prior experience in higher education data environments or data integration firms.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive data mapping and transformations to build a unified data model for a higher education product.
• Work with higher education system schemas and databases, primarily from educational technology platforms.
• Review, prioritize, and analyze data columns from systems such as student information systems (SIS) and learning management systems (LMS) for inclusion in the integrated data model.
• Evaluate and validate data mappings and transformations using higher education data to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Contribute to advanced data transformations across schemas, including splitting or concatenating fields and applying filtering and conditional logic before populating target fields.
• Support data quality assurance using tools such as dbt and Great Expectations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teammates and external users to understand data needs and ensure the data model meets operational requirements.
• Attend calls and video meetings as required to support the scope of work.

Benefits

• Flexible hours, shared time off, organization-wide recharge days, bi-weekly meeting-free days, and flexible PTO, with a minimum of 20 vacation days encouraged annually.
• For full-time staff: 100% employer-paid medical, vision, and dental benefits for employees and 72% coverage for dependents.
• Wellness reimbursement program.
• For full-time staff: 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Annual professional development funding, mentorship, and advancement opportunities.
• For full-time staff: 401(k) plan with 5% employer matching.
• Opportunities to meet in person for conferences, strategic planning, and an annual staff retreat.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: No Education Listed