Data Analyst (Community Services)

Position Details

• Job Type: Full-Time
• Location: 99 Regina St S - Public Health & Community Serv
• Department: Strategy and Partnerships
• Hours of Work: 35
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Hybrid - 3 days at home, and 2 days in office or as per operational needs
• Union: CUPE 1883
• Grade: CUPE 1883 Grade 013
• Salary Range: $42.12 - $47.72 per hour

About Us

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.

Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051. Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

The Role

Administers internal and external databases and datasets for program areas within the Community Services Department (e.g., social assistance, child care, housing, scheduling, employment).

Program area assignments include day-to-day support with HIFIS (Homeless Individuals and Families Information System), and broad support to other program areas and the Community Services Department as a whole.

Analyses data, designs and implements data visualization tools, templates, reports, and models, and develops/adapts datasets to capture key metrics and insights to support program planning, projects, and requirements.

Applies skills in report writing, business analytics tools (e.g., Power BI), programming languages (e.g., R, SQL), and advanced data science methods to support program planning, forecasting, and evaluation, including machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), predictive modeling, and statistical simulations.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Ensures data integrity and accuracy in data and datasets.
• Designs, extracts, modifies, compiles, automates, and maintains datasets, interactive dashboards, and data visualization tools (e.g., data dictionaries, visualizations, indicators).
• Develops data models and analysis methods to organize and extract information from varied databases, including application of clustering, predictive modeling, and machine learning algorithms to identify trends and generate actionable insights. Assists teams and management to interpret results as required.
• Presents data in effective, engaging, understandable formats using a variety of software, analytical tools, and data. Maintains data on the employee intranet and corporate website.
• Prepares reports for programs, provincial and federal funding agencies, and Council/Committees of Council. Monitors KPIs and reports to management as appropriate, incorporating predictive analytics to forecast trends and highlight emerging risks.
• Responds to and supports data requests from management, planners, staff, and external partners and. Catalogues reports.
• Leads the design and implementation of new and updated datasets for projects, initiatives, and other program and departmental needs. Provides analytical and technical support to program areas regarding their data and system needs, including advanced statistical analysis, AI-driven solutions, and bias-detection methods to ensure equitable outcomes.
• Collaborates with staff and management regarding policy and directives, program monitoring, and administration. Facilitates changes in systems and technology. Develops templates, designs fields and process flows to meet compliance and reporting requirements. Provides expertise on data quality standards and input on operational protocols that service providers must follow.
• Provides day-to-day technical support to HIFIS users. Monitors system use data and reporting by service providers as part of agreements. Troubleshoots and resolves issues. Coordinates with staff regarding system monitoring and reporting, to fix errors, and/or facilitate supports (e.g., training).
• Leads/coordinates changes to data reporting requirements and system use with service providers and other stakeholders such as corporate ITS, federal and provincial contacts, and departmental program analysts and social planning associates based on scope and scale of change. Develops project plans for implementation within timelines/deadlines.
• Acts as the system administrator for various databases (e.g., HIFIS), including providing user access, monitoring user accounts, and access control. Maintains data sharing and user agreements.
• Creates and maintains issue tracking documents, and compiles resolutions as appropriate. Maintains documentation for support processes, business continuity, technical installations, and system management (e.g., data dictionaries).
• Develops and maintains training resources for system users and provides training. Chairs technology and training working group meetings with system users. Provides ongoing technical assistance, guidance, training, and support to service providers using the system. Periodically directs and coordinates with system users regarding system changes and requirements for implementation.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

Provides expertise in database/data model design, development, and maintenance. Analyses system capabilities, including integration with other systems and best practices for data collection, management, and reporting.

Expands traditional data models with machine learni...