Database Developer

Start Early (formerly known as the Ounce) is an energized, future-focused organization committed to providing quality early learning and care across the country.

Our desire to close the opportunity gap and build more equitable early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides everything we do. As a leader in early learning and care, we scale our deep expertise across programs, police,y and research through partnerships across the country.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning, and communication. Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture. We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and passionate about the work they do.

Working on the Early/Head Start Network, you will provide support to community-based agencies to enable them to implement high-quality, Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

As part of your new hybrid role reporting to the Data and CQI Manager based in downtown Chicago, IL you will:

• Establish and maintain a data warehouse and schedule regular data migration from ChildPlus, which is the data management system used to track Start Early�s Early/Head Start Network�s programs
• Design, develop, and implement data-reporting solutions based on customer requirements.
• Create and deploy SQL stored procedures, views, and table-valued functions to infer meaningful insights from a relational database management system.
• Use monitoring tools to identify the performance and operation health of ETL process and dashboarding solutions.
• Coordinate with data stakeholders (program managers, funder representatives, and members of research and innovation teams) to understand data needs and provide data solutions that address the business's needs.
• Prepare design specifications and documentation for assigned database projects.

• Ensure data quality and integrity in databases. Inspect and inform internal partners when legacy data has quality issues that may impact business objections

• Utilize best practices for database design and development activities, including the use of a source control management repository, such as GitHub.

• Proactively and regularly make recommendations for system improvements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor�s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, or a related field or equivalent experience.

• 2+ Years of experience working as a data engineer or database developer.

• Proficient in coding SQL queries, stored procedures, table-valued functions, and views for supporting background dimension tables and reporting
• Proficient in SQL Server Management Studio
• Proficient in SQL Server Integration Services or other data migration tools
• Proficient in Excel, including functions and pivot tables
• Familiar with Power BI or other data visualization tools
• Ability to translate project specifications into a coded solution that is easy to understand and maintain.
• Excellent problem-solving, critical-thinking, presentation, task management, organizational, interpersonal, and communication (written and verbal) skills with strong attention to detail
• Ability to anticipate risks and devise solutions in the moment
• Ability to solve problems in a team-oriented environment
• Ability to work independently with business stakeholders without daily supervision
• Comfort with ambiguity, frequent change, and unpredictability

Salary: We believe that all employees should be paid fairly and equitably. As of the time of this posting, the expected base annual salary range for this position is $70,000 - $80,000. The base annual salary will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, as well as business needs and limitations.

Our generous benefits plan includes:

Comprehensive Health Plans, Dedication to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months of paid parental leave, and much more.

Start Early is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by crafting an inclusive environment for all staff.