Business Data Analytics Specialist

Opening Date: October 8, 2024 Closing Date: October 23, 2024 Job Class Code: 0407 Grade: 27 Salary: $58,219.20 – $81,806.41/Annually Position Number: 04601231 JOB DESCRIPTION: Step into the dynamic world of cannabis regulation as the Business Data Analytics Specialist in this newly established position within the Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP). In this professional service position, you will be on a team of four that reports to the Director of Data Analytics. In this pivotal role you will act as the critical bridge between our business teams’ needs and the technological solutions that drive them, playing a key part in shaping how data informs decision-making throughout OCP. You’ll collaborate across OCP teams to integrate advanced data solutions into business processes, driving efficiency and process optimization. You'll have the opportunity to design and develop custom reports and dashboards that provide stakeholders with actionable insights to inform decision making. In this position you will also act as a data liaison for OCP to both foster relationships with external agencies and coordinate the sharing of data that helps the Office fulfil its mission. This also includes performing in-depth analysis on internal and external data sets to identify rapidly evolving industry trends and related topics within the domains of public health and safety. The ideal candidate will be a proactive communicator able to translate business and technical speak across teams. They will champion robust data management practices throughout OCP and enhance the organizational culture of data-driven decision making. They will have proficiency in various data analytics and visualization tools and a passion for collaboration. If you are a data savvy professional with a passion for problem-solving and a desire to make a meaningful impact in the public sector, we want to hear from you! SPECIFIC TASKS INCLUDE: Utilize modern data query and analysis techniques and toolsets in order to derive conclusions, track trends, and identify areas of potential concern for the industry and/or OCP senior leadership. Work collaboratively across all OCP teams to identify areas for potential business process improvement and develop plans for implementation and measuring progress. Provide support for OCP’s inventory tracking, compliance, and licensing systems; ensure each systems’ ability to capture, track and export data meets business and reporting needs. Identify new or evolving trends which have public health and/or safety implications and provide professional summaries and recommendations to OCP senior leadership. Develop comprehensive charts, graphs, reports, electronic dashboards, whitepapers and other narratives which effectively document research findings, analytical conclusions, and subsequent recommendations. Present research findings to OCP policy and rule makers, in addition to the Maine State Legislature, the media, and other external stakeholders when required. Acquire, extract, transform, store and analyze new data sets related to cannabis use, trends, and implications at the state, regional and national level. Develop training and guidance documents for both internal and external parties. Lead and/or participate in the development of project planning and requirements gathering to support established goals and objectives. Develop and maintain documentation for data models, processes, and reporting standards to ensure knowledge sharing, consistency and SOP compliance. Complete complex research projects with minimal direction and/or supervision. Provide operational support for OCP staff and management and help to ensure uninterrupted operation of all technical systems and processes. KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques used to analyze and develop functional and organizational business requirements. Knowledge of advanced data query languages and related toolsets. Knowledge of data modeling and data management techniques, in addition to business process mapping. Knowledge of modern research and data analysis techniques and best practices. Knowledge of program and project management principles, methods, and techniques for developing, scheduling, and coordinating projects and resources. Ability to obtain, synthesize, and integrate a broad range of data for use in analytic reporting and data-driven policy development. Ability to develop KPIs and other metrics used for program monitoring and business process improvement. Ability to develop technical charts, graphs, reports, electronic dashboards, and white papers for a variety of audiences Ability to gather, analyze, aggregate and present information from a wide variety of sources. Ability to provide concise and effective communications to senior leadership and external parties. Ability to coordinate assignments and monitor progress related to complex research and data analytics projects. Ability to identify, document and track opportunities for business process improvement. Ability to interpret statutes, rules, and policies. Ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders to reach agreeable solutions and navigate shifting demands. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and determine resource requirements. Ability to develop training programs for both internal and external parties. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A six (6) year combination of education, training, and/or professional experience in project management, systems analysis, business analysis, program specialty, or related field. Preference will be given to candidates with the following skills and experience: Demonstrated ability to electronically obtain, aggregate, query, analyze and properly manage a broad range of data sets from disparate sources for use in analytic reporting initiatives. Demonstrated ability and experience in gathering, analyzing and translating business requirements into detailed functional specifications. Demonstrated ability to communicate complex concepts to a diverse group of individuals in a logical, methodical, professional, efficient, and effective manner, separating out the “signal from the noise”. Practical experience with modern data query languages, data management toolsets, data scrubbing and data transformation processes, data lakes and/or data warehouses, and data management best practices. Practical experience with modern data presentation toolsets, including charts, graphs, tables, spreadsheets, reports, and dashboards. (Examples: Tableau; SQL Server Reporting Services and/or Microsoft Power BI;) Demonstrated ability to perform independent research and analysis on complex datasets to identify patterns, trends, and emerging areas of interest or concern. Demonstrated ability to develop meaningful metrics and/or key performance indicators used to monitor and improve upon a variety of business processes, and to monitor the overall health of systems, business processes, market operations and evolution. Those who submit a cover letter and resume. Benefits of working for the State of Maine: No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including: Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value). Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS). State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time. There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Thinking about applying? Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.