C2C Forward Fellow, Data Programs

Location: California Remote, United States of America

C2C Forward Fellow, Data Programs

100% Remote within California, Must reside in California

Travel Requirement: All fellows will need to travel to Sacramento once a month for an in-person team meeting. We are looking to hire two fellows for each track.

The Foundation for California Community Colleges (FCCC) is recruiting experts to join the inaugural C2C Forward Fellows Program to work directly within the Office of Cradle-to-Career in advancing the work of bridging gaps in state-wide data. The Office of Cradle-to-Career Data (C2C) is a neutral source of trusted information that links siloed data across the state to answer questions on what happens to students once they enter and leave our school system and beyond.

C2C Forward is a fiscally sponsored program of the Foundation of California Community Colleges. As C2C Forward Fellows, leaders and experts from across sectors can contribute their knowledge, experience, and innovation to support Cradle-to-Career Data System’s growth and long-term success.

Fellows will gain hands-on experience creating and maintaining a P20W data system while applying their expertise in domains such as TK-12 education, post-secondary education, workforce outcomes, economics, user center design, data visualization, data file preparation, and more. Fellows will be placed at C2C as an integral member of the Data Programs or Data Infrastructure team to advance the work of C2C’s annual workplan, embracing cross-sector collaboration, and gaining insight into underlying governmental structures and partnerships. As a fellow, you will gain a depth of experience and a wealth of knowledge that can be applied at institutions and beyond to advance research that will better serve Californians in the future.

C2C is required by statute to produce data insights such as dashboards, data reports, query builders via CSV files, a research request process via secure data enclave, and query builders. With the aptitude and bandwidth of the fellows, C2C will be able to produce more useful and necessary tools at a more rapid speed while enhancing the data system infrastructure with up-to-date best practices and most current privacy and security features.

In addition to the projects assigned to fellows, fellows will engage in a work culture that values equity, collaboration, transparency, accountability, and curiosity. C2C staff and leadership take pride in implementing values in the day-to-day work and expanding the team with individuals who also share these same values. Fellows will be empowered to take initiative and responsibility for their work in a safe, fun, and intellectually stimulating environment.

Track I: Data Programs

The Data Programs team (DPS) is responsible for planning, creating, iterating, and releasing data tools for a wide audience that includes but is not limited to students, families, educators, researchers, advocates, legislators, and policy makers. Fellows on data programs will develop dashboards, query builder tools, and analytical data reports to inform research, advocacy efforts, and policy analysis.

In collaboration with the engagement team, DPS frequently engages in community conversations to raise awareness of data tools, increase data literacy by discussing data insights with the public, and gathering feedback from the public to iterate designs. The DPS team also works alongside the data infrastructure team to adopt modern cloud-based data practices. Transform your knowledge, expertise, and hands-on experience into practical guidance and toolkits.

Applicant Profile

Extensive knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.

Knowledge of workforce and higher education admissions, policies, and legislation.

Direct experience or knowledge of current challenges in data systems, college applications, and transfer processes.

Experience in providing direct support services to students or experience as an administrator in an educational setting.

Experience conveying quantitative and qualitative research findings in many formats.

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Project management experience and ability to stay highly organized.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in moderate direction.

Fellows possess a unique combination of technical and interpersonal skills, disciplinary backgrounds, and relevant experience. This includes many of the skills listed below:

You are a systems and platform thinker who loves enabling data teams with tools to do their work efficiently and effectively. The following captures the intersection of your interests and expertise

You love engaging with people as much as engaging with data and technology

You are constantly learning and engaged in the modern data stack ecosystem and enjoy staying up to date on emerging and best practices

You have a knack for and enjoy communicating technical and architectural tradeoffs clearly to different audiences

You value simplicity and elegance in architecting solutions over needless complexity and have a sixth sense for evaluating platforms that are fit for purpose

You like keeping knowledge fresh on platforms and are willing to get in and support the team on testing and implementing platforms

You value good documentation and guidance to help others successfully use data platforms

You take pleasure in sharing your knowledge and experience with others to help them succeed in adopting modern data practices

You relish demonstrating the value of a cloud-first approach to data tools and the benefits of applying software engineering approaches to data work and are eager to hands-on engage with project work to ensure that value is communicated

You are excited about applying your talents to improve the lives of Californians

Additional Qualifications

Technical Skills

Extensive knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies

Statistical competency in at least one data