Programmer IV

MISSION: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

Core Values: 
•  We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students. 
•  We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students.
•  We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students.
•  We are Servant Leaders: Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them.

New hires, re-hires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees in their same classification. Offers will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications and will thoughtfully consider internal pay equity for agency staff who perform similar duties and have similar qualifications. The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates who exceed the requirements and qualifications for the role. The maximum salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.

Position Overview:
The Senior SAS Programmer Analyst is an advanced SAS programmer who, in addition to having a strong knowledge of coding, likes to explore data, review, and improve existing code, and analyze results to ensure accuracy.  This role will perform complex programming tasks pertaining to the creation of datasets, analyses, and reports for the Forecasting and Fiscal Analysis. This position also provides technical support to management in ongoing and new system development. The Senior SAS programmer will report to the Assistant Director of Forecasting and Fiscal Analysis.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Please note that a resume and tailored cover letter are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check.

Essential Functions:
Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.

1. Advance SAS Programming: performs advanced SAS programming and data analysis for the Fiscal Analysis Division, including web-based reporting 
2. Oversees Development of SAS Programs: oversees the planning, design, scope, structure, creation, analysis, and maintenance of many SAS programs, datasets, data reporting systems, web-based applications, and reports to meet the needs of the TEA
3. Manages Quality Control of Programming Tasks: manages and develops extensive quality control checks for SAS programs and workflow to improve existing programs and applications, including comprehensive documentation
4. Plans and Controls Data Analysis: plans and controls data programming analysis (including some modeling) preparing reports of findings for TEA management review and use for legislative hearings, agency meetings, and outside meetings with various stakeholder groups  
5. Public Information Requests: fulfills public information requests and other ad-hoc data requests for school districts, other TEA divisions, legislators, policy makers, and the general public

Minimum Qualifications:
• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least four [4] years of experience in SAS programming, pulling data from large relational databases, and understanding data flow in very complex systems
• Substitutions: Education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis

Other Qualifications:
• Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military.
• Proven ability to use SAS to extract and analyze data sourced from various database engines and platforms. 
• Strong understanding of the SAS Macro language and SAS SQL language.
• Experience using Excel to present complex data in an understandable format. 
• Experience in independently developing and maintaining complex SAS programs.
• Strong code-debugging skills.
• Solid understanding of the challenges and best practices of debugging and updating/improving existing code, and data cleaning.
• Experience in analyzing and interpreting data and writing summary reports and/or preparing additional analyses to fulfill data requests and inform decision-making.
• Detail-oriented and efficient work habits.
• Effective at time management, setting priorities, and handling changing priorities in a positive and patient manner.
• A strong desire to ensure accurate and high-quality work, diagnose problems/limitations, and propose/implement appropriate solutions.
• A desire to work effectively as part of a team of SAS programmers by practicing active listening and constructive communication; and sharing information, knowledge, and experience.
• Ability to accept direction, constructive criticism, and suggestions for improvement in a positive and proactive manner and give timely feedback.
• Major coursework in data science, business analytics, computer science, computer information systems, management information systems, accounting, finance, mathematics, statistics, economics, or a related field is generally preferred.

As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the military employment preference.

To review the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to each job classification series in the State’s Position Classification Plan (provided by the State Auditor's Office), please access the Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) Guide and click on the military “occupational category” that corresponds with the state classification in this job posting title.

This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency.

To learn more about working at TEA, including hiring timelines, process details, and candidate resources, please visit the Employment at TEA page.

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. Please add "capps.recruiting@cpa.texas.gov" and "@tea.texas.gov" to your safe senders list to ensure you receive email notifications from our talent acquisition team and/or hiring division regarding your candidacy.