Legislative Research Analyst

POSITION:   Legislative Research Analyst, Policy Analysis and Research Section

GRADE:         SPC01

SUMMARY OF POSITION:    The Legislative Research Analyst is a mid-level position that works under direct supervision of the Policy Analysis and Research Administrator and is responsible for providing accurate and clear policy research and analysis for members of the General Assembly and legislative committees.

Job Classification and Salary Commensurate Upon Experience and Education. The grade range is SPC01-SPC04, and the salary range is $58,700-$115,632.

This position is responsible for the modeling, management, and analysis of education finance data used for the Educational Adequacy Study and various ad hoc reports. This role involves the full life-cycle management of expenditure and statistical data for over 250 school districts and 1000+ schools, utilizing specialized business intelligence and database tools. The position demands strong analytical skills and a deep understanding of data collection and preparation processes. The ideal candidate is curious, and data driven, with a strong orientation for problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities: 
Data Management and ETL
• Load expenditure data and statistical/demographic data from the ARKANSAS PUBLIC SCHOOL COMPUTER NETWORK (APSCN) State Data Warehouse into the BLR SQL Server database.  
• Load data from other external sources as required.
• Utilize Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) / Visual Studio Designer to perform ETL tasks, including establishing data flows between input files (typically comma-separated delimited files) and database tables.
• Execute SQL statements for data updates and computations within the Visual Studio environment.

Business Intelligence and Reporting 
• Serve as the primary user of the COGNOS suite of software.
• Develop data models using IBM COGNOS FRAMEWORK MANAGER, create database and/or other views, and publish packages for use in other COGNOS tools. 
• Design, build, and publish dimensional data structures (CUBES) for analytical and reporting purposes using IBM COGNOS TRANSFORMER SERVICES, incorporating various demographic dimensions.
• Ensure access to structured, modeled, and high-quality data. 
• Support reporting requests of Legislative members and Bureau staff. 
• Utilize Excel and other data tools to prepare and communicate data. 

Documentation and Process Management 
• Document analytical processes, data sources, and report logic to ensure transparency and reproducibility.
• Collaborate with IT staff and vendors regarding software installation, deployment, operation, maintenance, and backup of the database and dedicated server.
• Monitor changes to coding and reporting requirements.
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices in development and reporting, proactively implementing improvements to enhance operational efficiency.

Experience:
• Experience demonstrated through application of knowledge, skills, abilities, and technologies towards work products required (i.e., data collection, data loading, data transformation, querying, report development, statistical stratification/grouping).
• Experience with data management, including collecting, cleaning, and preparing data for analysis is required.
• Experience organizing large volumes of current and historical data for efficient querying, analysis and reporting.
• Experience with IBM COGNOS ANALYTICS or equivalent program for reporting and administration.
• Experience with Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio and SQL sufficient to create, update and maintain database tables and execute queries and procedures.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Proficiency with Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) / Visual Studio sufficient for ETL package creation and maintenance.
• Strong working knowledge of IBM COGNOS FRAMEWORK MANAGER or equivalent software for data modeling and package publication.
• Strong working knowledge of IBM COGNOS TRANSFORMER SERVICES or equivalent software for creating dimensional data cubes. 
• Ability to create and execute SQL stored procedures. 
• Demonstrated ability to perform detailed demographic and financial calculations.
• High level of analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to apply these skills in various situations.
• Strong attention to detail with a focus on accuracy and quality. 
• Effective problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Ability to work independently and identify potential barriers and strategies, providing timely communication.  
• Ability to show data in a user-friendly format for a variety of audiences.
• Willingness to accept change and demonstrate flexibility. 

Preferred Qualifications:
• Knowledge of general governmental financial accounting principles through reporting or auditing experience.
• Advanced knowledge of SQL Pivot queries.
• Ability to design, build, and maintain interactive dashboards.

Education/Degree/Credentials: 
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required. 
• Master’s degree preferred. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conduct policy research and analysis for members of the General Assembly, legislative committees, and Bureau staff.


• Extract and compile financial or statistical data that members of the General Assembly can use to formulate program proposals.


• Be available to members of the General Assembly, state agency staff, and Bureau staff to provide information and assistance regarding policy research issues.


• Prepare and deliver presentations concerning policy research and analysis to legislative committees and other groups, as requested.


• Work with other divisions in the Bureau and provide research support for their legislative projects.


• Identify and develop working relationships with appropriate sources in state agencies to obtain requested information and data.


• Develop and maintain expertise in assigned subject matter areas, including monitoring national policies, policy trends in other states, news items, and emerging developments.


• In-state travel as needed to gather data.


• Monitor legislative committee meetings related to assigned subject matter area.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• May contribute to the biennial education adequacy study, which includes written reports and oral presentations to the House and Senate Education Committees during the adequacy study period.


• Occasional out-of-state travel to seminars or conferences.


• Perform other related responsibilities as required or assigned by the Policy Analysis and Research Administrator, the Deputy Director for Research Services, and the Director of the Bureau.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

• Formal education equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and four (4) years experience with the Bureau as a Legislative Research Specialist or other relevant experience as determined by the Director of the Bureau and Deputy Director for Research Services; OR Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.


• Knowledge of the legislative process and the functions of state and federal agencies.


• Knowledge of objective research methodology and diverse information resources.


• Ability to conduct objective research and data analysis.


• Knowledge and proficiency in Windows Applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.


• Ability to extract and compile information from various sources.


• Ability to express the results of research in concise written or verbal form.


• Ability to organize and create data visualizations in chart, map, and table form for presentations and reports.


• Knowledge of and experience utilizing statistical, survey, and mapping programs.


• Ability to provide public presentations.


• Ability to develop and maintain a good working relationship with legislators and state administrators.


• Knowledge of the laws and procedures related to the General Assembly.


• Ability to work with other section staff to produce cohesive reports, briefs, and memoranda.


• Ability to communicate with Bureau staff, state agency staff, members of the General Assembly, and members of the public.

PRODUCTION STANDARDS:

• Provides accurate and clear policy research and analysis.


• Adept in communicating with Bureau staff, members of the General Assembly, state agency personnel, and members of the public, both verbally and in writing.


• Demonstrates proficient time management skills, including the ability to complete work under strict time deadlines.


• Maintains high standard of professional ethics and exercises appropriate discretion with confidential matters.


• Effectively organizes and monitors the status of projects and work flow.


• Works cooperatively at problem solving and assists co-workers with a variety of tasks.


• Attends job-related trainings.


• Proficiency in in-house software programs.