Data Analyst

Summary

Sacramento Steps Forward (SSF) is dedicated to resolving homelessness through leadership and data-driven practices. The Data Analyst will support SSF’s data and performance analysis functions, transforming data into actionable information to aid decision-making and improve system performance.

Responsibilities

• Analyzes HMIS and related system data to identify trends, patterns, outcomes, and performance issues
• Fulfills internal and external data requests by gathering, validating, analyzing, and presenting relevant information in a clear and usable format
• Prepares recurring and ad hoc reports for leadership, departments, funders, committees, and other authorized audiences
• Develops tables, summaries, visualizations, and analytical products that support decision-making, planning, and performance review
• Reviews outputs for accuracy, completeness, and consistency before release
• Builds, maintains, and updates dashboards that support leadership oversight, program monitoring, operational management, and system performance review
• Translates business questions and reporting needs into effective visualizations and user-friendly dashboard structures
• Supports development of public-facing dashboards and external data products in coordination with the HMIS Director and other relevant staff
• Monitors dashboard performance, identify needed updates, and improve usability, clarity, and consistency over time
• Tracks and reports on program and system performance measures, outputs, outcomes, and other key indicators
• Supports analysis related to provider performance, system trends, utilization, exits, returns to homelessness, length of stay, and other operational or strategic questions
• Assists with development, refinement, and documentation of reporting logic, metric definitions, and analytical methods
• Helps identify unusual patterns, data concerns, or emerging issues and elevate them through appropriate channels
• Reviews data outputs for inconsistencies, anomalies, and quality concerns that may affect reporting or analysis
• Coordinates with HMIS, program, and operations staff to resolve data quality issues affecting reports, dashboards, and analytical products
• Supports data validation, reconciliation, and quality assurance activities tied to recurring reporting and special projects
• Helps reinforce consistent use of data definitions, reporting logic, and documentation standards
• Collaborates with internal departments to understand reporting needs and provide analytical support for planning, implementation, monitoring, and performance improvement
• Supports data-related aspects of funder reporting, public reporting, leadership briefings, and special initiatives as assigned
• Participates in cross-functional efforts involving HMIS data, performance metrics, dashboard design, and operational reporting
• Presents findings, summaries, or visual products in a way that is understandable to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Maintains organized report files, request logs, dashboard documentation, query notes, and other analytical records
• Documents data sources, assumptions, calculation methods, and reporting logic used in recurring products
• Manages multiple deadlines and priorities across dashboards, data requests, recurring reports, and special analyses
• Supports the HMIS Director and department leadership with ad hoc analysis, presentations, and briefing materials
• Regular, predictable attendance is required
• Ability to get along and work effectively with others
• Performs other duties as assigned

Skills

• Strong practical experience using Python, SQL, and Power BI, including the ability to query, clean, transform, validate, and analyze complex datasets
• Ability to develop dashboards, recurring reports, and analytical products that are accurate, interpretable, and aligned with operational and strategic decision-making needs
• Ability to translate business questions into analytical approaches and communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent requests, distinguish between routine and high-risk reporting needs, explain methodology and limitations, and exercise sound judgement when identifying anomalies, inconsistencies, or potential data integrity concerns
• Strong understanding of data governance principles and reporting infrastructure management, including maintaining documentation, version control, dashboard lifecycle management, access considerations, metrics standardization, and validation processes for both internal and external reporting products
• Ability to support consistent, reproducible, and defensible analytical outputs across recurring operational, regulatory, and public-facing reporting environments
• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Strong practical experience using Python, SQL, and Power BI, including the ability to query, clean, transform, validate, and analyze complex datasets
• Ability to develop dashboards, recurring reports, and analytical products that are accurate, interpretable, and aligned with operational and strategic decision-making needs
• Ability to translate business questions into analytical approaches and communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent requests, distinguish between routine and high-risk reporting needs, explain methodology and limitations, and exercise sound judgement when identifying anomalies, inconsistencies, or potential data integrity concerns
• Strong understanding of data governance principles and reporting infrastructure management, including maintaining documentation, version control, dashboard lifecycle management, access considerations, metrics standardization, and validation processes for both internal and external reporting products
• Ability to support consistent, reproducible, and defensible analytical outputs across recurring operational, regulatory, and public-facing reporting environments
• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision
• 401k
• Accrued time off and paid holidays