Data Analyst, IRW

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Department:

School of Communication

Time Type:

Full time

Job Type:

Temporary (Fixed Term)

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Work Modality:

Full On Campus Presence

Union:

Excluded

Job Description:

Summary:

The Data Analyst handles daily data work for the various data-driven journalism projects within the Investigative Reporting Workshop (IRW). The Data Analyst assists the Data Editor and other IRW editors, interns, and students with data collection, data cleaning, data management, data analysis, and data visualization for IRW investigations. This is a temporary summer position contingent on grant and gift funding with the possibility for extension. The Data Analyst reports directly to the Data Editor, who reports to the Executive Editor. This position works under general supervision and will interact with other staff, students, faculty, and consultants of the Investigative Reporting Workshop. The Data Analyst works closely with IRW staff to ensure that their data-driven investigations are based on sound data management and analysis principles, and that data findings are accurate and based on accepted data journalism practices.

The Data Analyst will contribute to one or more data-driven investigative reports. The Analyst also will be expected to interact regularly with high-profile journalists who will be colleagues in the Workshop. Among the undertakings this summer will be a major project related to health care. To that end, the data work will include an analysis of more than 30 years of state health data from several states, the creation of data visualizations around those findings, and reporting on the information. Other projects will follow similar trajectories — requesting and gathering public information to show what is known about a given subject area; cleaning and analyzing the data received; developing journalistic stories. 

Essential Functions:

1.) Support IRW’s Data-Driven Investigations

• Accepts data practices and programs to check the accuracy and validity of data analysis used in those projects.

• Uses data analysis and visualization skills in R, Stata, SQL, and Excel and working on several research projects.

• Handles daily data work for the various data-driven journalism projects within the Investigative Reporting Workshop (IRW).

• Contribute to one or more data-driven investigative reports.

• Request and gather public information.

• Cleaning and analyzing received data.

• Develop journalistic stories.

2.) Support the Washington Post Data Team

• Uses skills in R, Stata, SQL, and Excel, and other programs in place at The Post.

• Contributes solo reporting and analysis on several projects and work as a team member for others.

• Interact with high profile journalists and colleagues.

 
3.) Other Duties as Assigned

• Other tasks as requested by the Data Editor, Executive Editor, and Managing Editor, including exploratory research for long-range (6 months or more) journalistic stories.  

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-Time.

• 30-35 hours weekly for 10-12 weeks.

• The continuation of this program/position is contingent upon external funding.

• This is a temporary full-time position ending on or before 09/19/2025.

Salary Range:

•  $26.47 to $27.55 per hour.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

• Less than 1 year of relevant experience.

• Experience using statistical software packages (e.g. SPSS, SAS, STATA, or R) as well as Microsoft Office Suite.

• Experience with Oracle SQL and Oracle databases.

• Must be familiar with the Freedom of Information Act, the tools of computer-assisted reporting and data-driven, web-based investigative projects.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to communicate technology concepts effectively.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills. 

• Effective collaborative, customer service, and public contact skills.

• Strong conceptual, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master's degree or equivalent.

• 1-3 years of relevant experience.

Occasional Travel:

• Occasional travel may be required, usually to partner organizations to work together or conduct workshops or to conferences.

Additional Information:

• Employees in the School of Communication are required to work on campus in a full presence modality for the first month of their employment.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

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Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.