Senior Data Operations Engineer

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under general direction, serve as lead engineer/ architect to design, develop, operate,

and manage core technical systems and services. Lead in the planning, design, testing, and

implementation of technical cross-functional projects in the general areas of data science,

artificial intelligence, machine learning and other advanced analytic solutions, as well as in

support of initiatives of the enterprise data lake (currently Amazon Web Services). Function as a

subject matter expert in one or more areas for the design, development, and implementation of

data pipelines. Executes ideas to automate data ingestion, processing, and reporting. Ensures

that the solutions they build meet high quality standards and can be supported with thorough

documentation. Recommend alterations to development and design and improve quality of

services and/or procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Maintain in-depth knowledge of the university's technologies and architectures used to

manage university data assets, enterprise data lake(s), and data analytics/data science

infrastructures. Define future state, document current state, and develop roadmaps for these

technologies and architectures. Recommend new and replacement technologies and

solutions, lead the creation of university technology vision and roadmaps in this area, and

lead efforts to phase out existing technologies in this area as they become obsolete.

Envision and identify long-term goals and required investments and resources to achieve

those goals. Follows policies/procedures and best practices when working with and

accessing confidential or secure data. (30%)

2. Function as lead engineer/architect for major project efforts aimed at technology

replacement and architecture revision in this general area of enterprise data lake(s) and

data analytics/data science for the university, including defining project scope, budget, and

staffing. (30%)

3. Provide thought leadership in technology direction, technical services, vendor partnerships,

and industry adoption in this general area of enterprise data lake(s) and data analytics/data

science. Use innovation and simplicity to create capacity with technologies. Monitor

emerging technologies, evaluate their applicability towards current and future efforts, and

work to develop strategies for integrating those technologies into the campus technology

infrastructure at the appropriate campus and school levels balancing technical elegance and

simplification. Effectively communicate vision and strategies to UTech leadership. (15%)

4. Provide mentoring, coaching and direction setting to team members. Motivate project team

members to action. Identify common themes, make inferences, and draw conclusions.

Ensure open communication with the project team. Address delicate situations and handle

conflicts in such a way as to maximize opportunity and minimize exposure to risk. Ensure

project team and staff training and development. Consult and provide advice, facilitate

discussion, and resolve conflict; establish trust; build and use cross-functional relationships

to accomplish work objectives. (15%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Participate in outside professional activities, including informal networking with peers at

other institutions, to maintain knowledge on developments in the field. (5%)

2. Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)

CONTACTS

Department: Contact supervisor to review goals, accomplishments, and overall team

performance at key stages. Daily contact with other UTech groups to tackle a variety of issues

collaboratively and negotiate any shadow issues that may arise to resolve problems effectively.

Contact other UTech personnel as needed.

University: Daily contact with staff throughout the university to tackle a variety of issues

collaboratively and negotiate any shadow issues that may arise to resolve problems effectively.

Regular contact with project sponsors to review project timelines, key milestones, and

outstanding issues. Regular contact with stakeholders to facilitate and promote joint action and

cooperation to achieve results.

External: Moderate contact with vendors, contractors, and external representatives to adjust and

resolve issues.

Students: Little or no contact with students.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

May coordinate efforts of five or more staff in support of project executions or completions or

other initiatives. The incumbent is to provide mentoring, coaching and direction setting to team

members.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 8 to 10 years of experience. Preferred experience in designing, programming, and

supporting software programs, databases, data warehouses, or applications. Preferred

experience to include project management and building logical and physical data models, data

mappings, data flows, data architecture and data dictionaries experience.

Education/Licensing: Bachelor's degree required. Degree in an Information Technology

discipline or related field of study preferred. Must have advanced level of certification in the

content area of big data, data analytics, data architecture, or data engineering, which can

include platform specific certifications (i.e., Amazon Web Services).

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Deep knowledge and understanding of IT approaches, applications, architectures, tools, and

methodologies, as well as a broad-based background in a wide variety of technology

platforms (e.g., Infrastructure, Information Security, Identity Management, Middleware,

Application Development, and Databases). Thorough understanding how these technologies

impact and are impacted by the business strategies, initiatives, and processes at the

university.

2. In-depth knowledge of multiple general-purpose programming languages (examples include

SQL, Python, PostgreSQL, Java, Perl).

3. In-depth knowledge of multiple database management systems and/or cloud-based data

infrastructures (including in depth knowledge in Amazon Web Services cloud infrastructure)

preferred.

4. In-depth knowledge of a wide variety of data analytics and data science tools from an

implementation perspective (examples include Tableau, PowerBI, Qlik, AWS Sagemaker,

Apache Spark) preferred.

5. Strong ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality. Demonstrated

knowledge of various security and regulatory compliance standards, such as FERPA and

HIPAA, preferred.

6. Basic proficiency with common office word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and

diagramming tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.

7. Ability to create clear and concise technical documentation. Ability to review technical

design documents to ensure requirements are met.

8. Experience with leading the development and implementation of large and complex software

and systems.

9. Understanding of both the internal and external elements that impact the organization.

Ability to describe the vision and values in compelling terms to develop understanding and

promote acceptance/commitment among staff and stakeholders.

10. Expertise in the management of change. Facilitates groups or teams through the problem-

solving and creative-thinking processes leading to the development and implementation of

innovative approaches, systems, structures, and methods. Establishes structures and

processes to plan and manage the orderly implementation of change. Helps employees

develop a clear understanding of what they will need to do differently as a result of changes.

Accepts the ambiguity that comes with changing activities. Creates a shared responsibility

among team members by involving them in critical deliberations and decisions as

appropriate.

11. Ability to take on large organizational challenges, understand how they must evolve to

address internal and external trends, influences, and future technology, and the desire to

influence and lead that change.

12. Ability to develop networks and use them to strengthen internal and external support. Ability

to identify opportunities and take action to build strategic relationships between UTech and

other University areas, teams, and departments to help achieve business goals. Ability to

work effectively at all levels within an organization.

13. Ability to effectively and positively influence others to achieve understanding, acceptance,

and commitment to act in support of ideas and/or programs. Actively promotes and solicits

support for projects or causes. Builds credibility as a representative by demonstrating

personal commitment and sharing information. Utilizes an understanding of audience

perspectives and interests, successfully selecting and employing a variety of methods, tools,

and resources to identify, reach and educate potential partners and/or supporters.

14. Ability to develop an in-depth understanding of client needs in order to be more helpful. The

ability to consider how different audiences are likely to respond and choose the best method

of communicating the message to each audience. Demonstrated superior collaboration skills

and techniques which appropriately define alternate solutions; resolve conflicts; and create

lasting, productive partnerships with clients.

15. Excellent English oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate

effectively and engage with a diverse user base having varied levels of technical

proficiencies. Ability to communicate with stakeholders affected by changes and address

their questions, concerns and need for information. Ability to interact with colleagues,

supervisors and customers face to face.

16. Ability to respond to difficult, stressful, or sensitive interpersonal situations in ways that

reduce or minimize potential conflict and maintain good working relationships among

internal and external customers. The ability to recognize awkward or potentially

embarrassing situations that sometimes arise. Always aware of tone and careful choice of

words, while at the same time ensuring that the intended message is clear, polite, and

readily understood.

17. Ability to seek opportunities to partner and transfer knowledge (actively participates in

meetings, committees, multi-stakeholder groups, etc.)

18. Demonstrated excellent mentorship, leadership, and facilitation skills.

19. Consistently models high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness, and respect for

the individual. Must have the ability to use discretion and good judgment on sensitive and

important matters. Embraces diversity.

20. Experience working with diverse populations and willingness to support a community

commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

21. Ability to recognize the importance of certain tasks and responsibilities and the ability to

prioritize own and subordinates work to ensure that deadlines are met.

22. Ability to work as part of a team and under pressure of tight deadlines.

23. Ability to meet consistent attendance.

24. Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students,

aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff

policy on conflict of commitment and interest.

25. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment. There are periods of stressful times especially during project

deadlines. There may be occasional pressure from demanding clients. Due to time constraints,

multiple functions and reports must be completed by set deadlines. Travel between various

locations on campus may be required. The position requires typing on a computer keyboard and

using a computer mouse and a printer. The employee may be required to carry a cell phone,

during and after their normal work hours, including weekends to address after-hours

emergencies.

Diversity Statement

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity.Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equityat 216-368-3066to request a reasonable accommodation.Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.