Northern Illinois University Looking for Azure Database Architect, Chicago Early Childhood Integrated Data System (CECIDS) (35589) Full Time

Close Date: 04/26/2024

Employee Class
Staff

Full-Time/Part Time: Full-Time

Position Status: Regular

FLSA
Exempt

Union Representation: Non-Union

Union Code: N/A

Unit/Department: Report Cards

College/Unit: P20 Initiatives Network

Division: Outreach Engagemt Regl Dev Dv

Location: MONAT 152

Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page: https://www.niu.edu/illinois-interactive-report-cards/about/index.shtml

Overview

Strategic Mission. The Illinois Interactive Report Card project within the Division of Outreach, Engagement, and Information Technologies at Northern Illinois University is an educational services and applied policy organization. Its mission is to be a leader in delivering program services that contribute to the educational well-being of the state of Illinois and improve the educational achievement and college and career readiness of all students, regardless of background or origin. In support of this mission, IIRC provides performance data for K-12 schools at all levels to advance their capacity to deliver effective instructional programs, along with the analytic tools to manage and evaluate them. IIRC forms collaborative partnerships with leading state and national educational stakeholders and professional organizations committed to educational reform in urban and rural districts alike.

IIRC’s Research Associates are the policy professionals who interpret client needs and associated data, determine the best methods to compile the necessary data, and create the Illinois Interactive Report Card and associated project services. In keeping with its policy mission, IIRC Research Associates participate in innovative educational projects at the local, state and national level. Of particular note is that IIRC Research Associates are expected to engage directly with policy and data professionals at the Illinois State Board of Education.

Position Summary

The Azure Database Architect is the technical lead for a small team on a specialized data system project. As such this architect will coordinate ongoing system design and deployment in Microsoft Azure, interface with key project stakeholders, and spearhead the development of key technical documentation and management reports. This position reports to the IIRC Director and works in close collaboration with the project’s director (located in another NIU department.)

Services. IIRC concentrates on specific strategic initiatives. These include data-driven school improvement planning, statistical analysis of student assessment and learning performance, standards-based professional development, and personalized instruction through social media and web applications. The centerpiece of the project is the IIRC website (www.illinoisreportcard.com), which NIU developed and hosts in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education. The website deploys cutting-edge, non-traditional technologies to advance innovation in education in all 865 school districts in Illinois. The web site draws between 50,000-60,000 unique visitors monthly, including parents, community leaders, administrators, and teachers, and provides real-time information snapshots describing each school’s programs, student characteristics, teachers, educational improvement plans, test scores, and policy updates, among other information. Thanks to innovative design, rich content, handy search features, and colorful graphics, the IIRC website is a valued (and nationally recognized) public resource for education and school improvement.

To comply with this requirement, IIRC team members have full access rights to the ISBE data system, and regularly design web reports, policy materials, user guides, and website tools through their secure logins to the ISLE SIS and Datamart environments. IIRC Research Associates also work closely with other policy leaders and stakeholder organizations in Illinois, including AdvanceEd, Advance Illinois, Illinois Principals Association, P-20 Council, and the Illinois Balanced Assessment Committee.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Design and implementation of protocols for secure provision to heterogenous front-end systems

• Prepare stored procedures, APIs, and other protocols as necessary for external system interface.
• Implement database views, etc. as necessary for support of connected applications (at a minimum, Tableau and Power BI)

Design, development and management of Azure database systems in support of IIRC projects

• Design of storage schema in Microsoft Azure
• Transition existing database systems into new schema.
• Design management reporting systems for real-time reporting of activity in system for project stakeholders.

Coordinate efforts of personnel on your team, managing agile sprints and focusing on meeting deliverable deadlines

• Run production sprint meetings.
• Manage sprint (production) records in Atlassian’s Jira production management software.
• Monitor and advise other team members.

Maintain effective interpersonal relations and communications in a team workplace environment

• Develop regular reports for the IIRC director and the partner project Director.
• Professionally interface with both technical and non-technical representatives from partner organizations.

Oversight of ongoing design and maintenance of data transfer systems (SFTP, API or otherwise) from external data partner source systems

• Interface with client technical representatives to determine technical requirements for each project partner.
• Develop data transfer systems as appropriate for each external project partner.

Coordinate development and deployment of database security protocols to protect the confidentiality of student level school records utilized within IIRC projects.

• Coordinate access controls with IIRC DevOps and partner project Director.
• Conduct review of security annually.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

1. Master’s degree in related field of computer science, OMIS, or education, plus one (1) year of relevant experience; OR bachelor’s degree AND 5 or more years of relevant experience in the development and/or management of database systems, demonstrating leadership skills with progressive areas of responsibility.
2. Expertise in SQL system development and management with 5 years of experience designing and implementing SQL systems.
3. Experience in the development of professional reports and documentation (samples are required in submission).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

• Knowledge of the systems and operations used within the areas and departments of responsibility.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to oversee and coordinate activities of user groups.
• Ability to effectively communicate with other colleagues, supervisors, administrative staff, and other IT users.
• Ability to identify and resolve technical problems.
• Ability to effectively communicate and professionally interact with all staff levels.

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

N/A

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

• Preference will be given to candidates majoring in computer-based programs (e.g. Computer Science, OMIS, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, ETRA).
• Job experience in private sector is a plus.
• Expertise with Microsoft Azure with 3 or more years of experience with data systems deployed in Azure.
• Demonstrable skills in effective interpersonal relations and communication.
• Proven ability to work on project teams both in lead and support roles

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

N/A

Additional Requirements (SPS)

N/A

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

N/A

Physical demands/requirements

• Using computer equipment for extended periods of time

Anticipated Appointment Start Date
5/13/2024

Percent of Staff Year
1.00

Standard Hours Per Week
37.50

Working Hours: M-F 8:00 – 4:30

Salary
Commensurate with knowledge and experience; NIU offers a robust Benefits Package.

Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range
See above

Earn Type
Salary

Application Procedure

Application Procedures:

1. Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Important: Please upload any unofficial transcript(s) and/or documentation that verifies any education, experience, and/or training you have received.
   • If eligible for Veteran’s Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination.
2. After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this position. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register.
3. Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from [email protected] and [email protected]. Please add these emails to your address book to ensure timely delivery of any future communication.
4. Illinois residency required within 180 days of the hire date.

Credentials Assessment Examination:

1. The examination for this position is a Credentials Assessment and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. A Credential Assessment is a rating by the Human Resources Office of an applicant’s/employee’s education, experience, and special credentials/qualifications (licenses, etc.). Applicants are required to upload documentation to verify the minimum qualifications for this position has been met.
2. Required documentation noted in the posting, such as a driver’s license, licensures, or certifications MUST be uploaded with your application materials.
3. After assessment of all qualified applicants has been completed for this position, the names with the top three (3) scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.

Additional Details:

1. Click on Information Technology Technical Associate for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements.
   • Applicants who may assume they do not meet the exact minimum qualifications are still invited to apply. Within the application documents, applicants should be sure to explain how their credentials and related qualifications address the requested minimum requirements.
2. Please click on Human Resource Services – Benefits for detailed information about Northern Illinois University’s benefits package.
3. Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Special Instructions

1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover letter 
3. List of at least 3 Professional References
4. Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
5. Sample of a professional/management report compiled within the last year, should be submitted in Word or .pdf.

Quick Link to Applicant
https://employment.niu.edu/postings/77162

Is Background Check Required?
Yes

EEO Statement Summary

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services Building Room 230
[email protected]
815-753-5560

Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form. For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity (AAEO) at [email protected].

Safety Information

NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety.
Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy.

Position Number: 00035589