FUNCTIONAL DATA SPECIALIST

State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Department of Central Management Services (CMS) is seeking to hire qualified candidates with the opportunity to work in a dynamic, creative thinking, problem solving environment. This position serves as a Functional Data Specialist playing a critical role in a major digital transformation project. This position will lead the planning, executing, and validation of data migration from our legacy mainframe system to SAP ERP. Following the successful implementation of SAP, the role will expand to support data conversion and integration efforts across CMS’s broader legacy systems. Given CMS’s responsibility for managing the full hire-to-retire lifecycle across State of Illinois agencies, this role requires a strong understanding of complex data models, business rules, and cross-agency coordination. The ideal candidate brings hands-on ETL experience, strong SQL skill, and a deep understanding of large-scale enterprise data migration. If you possess these knowledges, skills, abilities and experience, we invite you to apply for this position with CMS.

Requirements

Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, supplemented by a master's degree in business or public administration, with coursework in areas such as economic theory, accounting and finance, organizational theory, and operations research.
Requires three (3) years progressively responsible professional experience in management operations analysis.
Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires a valid driver’s license.
Requires the ability to use agency technology/equipment (i.e., mobile phone, laptop, etc.) properly in accordance with information security awareness policies and confidentiality guidelines.
Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.

Nice To Haves

Prefers three (3) years of professional experience executing data transformation efforts, including consolidation of data from multiple sources or large-scale data conversion and system implementation projects.
Prefers extensive knowledge of relational database structures and various data integration methods, including working with flat files, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and other database connections.
Prefers extensive knowledge of data transformation processes, data mapping, data cleansing, and data reconciliation techniques, particularly in enterprise HR systems.
Prefers extensive knowledge of ERP data migration, including finalizing migration strategies, validating data loads, and overseeing post-migration stabilization efforts.
Prefers three (3) years of professional experience applying data governance, quality assurance, and reconciliation processes to ensure accurate and complete data delivery into ERP systems such as SAP.
Prefers demonstrated ability to coordinate and execute data testing, validation, and reconciliation activities within ERP environments, including participation in test planning, defect tracking, and the use of data validation tools to ensure accuracy and completeness of migrated data.
Prefers demonstrated ability to collaborate with technical teams, business analysts, and end-users to identify and resolve data discrepancies.

Responsibilities

Serves as the Functional Data Specialist for the Department of Central Management Services (CMS), performing complex studies and independent analysis utilizing a variety of data analysis techniques, including but not limited to regression analysis, linear or dynamic programming, econometric modeling, risk analysis, scenarios, input/output analysis and data compilation.
Oversees CMS’s responsibilities for data conversion and stabilization activities, ensuring migration strategies are finalized, data loads are validated, and stabilization processes are completed to deliver accurate data into a system.
Develops and implements data validation and quality assurance processes to ensure data integrity throughout the migration lifecycle.
Coordinates and participates in testing and reconciliation activities to ensure the accuracy and completeness of converted data.
Assesses post transition system needs and develops standardized frameworks for enterprise-wide data migration.
Provides ongoing thought leadership in continuous data readiness and long-term system alignment across the enterprise.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Benefits

Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position).
10-25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment).
12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year.
3 paid personal business days per year.
13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years.
12 weeks of paid parental leave.
Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System.
Deferred Compensation Program - voluntary supplemental retirement plan.
Optional pre-tax programs - Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP).
Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.