Head Start Data & Analytics Professionals

Important Information About This Talent Pool
This posting is intended to identify qualified candidates for anticipated ACF/OHS opportunities. Submission of an application does not guarantee employment or placement into a specific position. Qualified candidates may be contacted for additional screening as staffing needs, labor categories, work arrangements, and project requirements are finalized.

Candidates should select the role that most closely matches their professional background and experience.

Peers and Partners, Inc. (Peers) is building a talent pool of experienced data, analytics, visualization, engineering, and data management professionals to support anticipated opportunities with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start (OHS). Anticipated work will support the administration and oversight of Head Start and Early Head Start programs through data management, analysis, reporting, visualization, workflow and task-tracking solutions, data quality and governance, data integration, and development and maintenance of data products and systems. Professionals may work with complex program and grant data to support federal staff, improve operational processes, strengthen data quality, identify trends, develop actionable insights, and support data-informed decision-making. Peers is seeking candidates across several levels and specialties. Direct Head Start/Early Head Start experience is highly valued but is not required for every technical data position. Candidates with strong federal data systems, early childhood, public-sector, or other complex data-management experience are encouraged to apply.

This posting is being used to establish a qualified candidate pool for anticipated ACF/OHS opportunities. Specific positions, responsibilities, work arrangements, and hiring timelines will be determined as project requirements are finalized.

Positions We Are Recruiting For

Candidates may be considered for one or more of the following roles based on their experience and qualifications:

• Data Engineer / Data Project Lead
• Data Visualization Specialist
• Data Analyst
• Data Management Specialist
• Data Entry Support Specialist

Data Engineer / Data Project Lead

The Data Engineer / Data Project Lead may lead complex data projects involving architecture, integration, automation, data pipelines, workflow solutions, and coordination of multidisciplinary data teams.

Potential responsibilities may include:

• Lead development, implementation, maintenance, and improvement of complex data projects.
• Oversee data architecture, integration, transformation, and workflow activities.
• Design and maintain data pipelines and automated processes.
• Support database design, ETL processes, and data warehousing.
• Develop and maintain integrations using APIs.
• Support integration of federal information systems with operational data tools.
• Lead development and maintenance of workflow and task-tracking solutions.
• Oversee data quality, governance, security, and documentation.
• Manage and prioritize data-project backlogs using iterative and user-informed approaches.
• Supervise and coordinate Data Analysts, Data Visualization Specialists, Data Management Specialists, and Data Entry Support Specialists.
• Collaborate with program and technical stakeholders to translate business needs into effective data solutions.
• Establish and monitor measures of project progress and successful service delivery.
• Coach staff and resolve technical, project, or client issues.

Competitive candidates will typically have:

• A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of progressive professional experience directly related to data engineering, data systems, or complex data projects.
• At least three years of progressive supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, managing, or improving complex and multifaceted data projects.
• Strong experience with database design, ETL processes, data warehousing, and systems integration.
• Proficiency with SQL and programming languages such as Python.
• Experience with API development and integration.
• Knowledge of data governance and security.
• Experience with Agile methodologies and project-management tools.
• Experience with cloud environments such as AWS or Azure.
• Federal information systems experience preferred.
• Experience applying AI within data pipelines or related data processes preferred.
• Early childhood and/or Head Start experience highly desirable.
• Technical experience may include SQL, Python, ETL tools, APIs, AWS, Azure, Docker, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, Confluence, and related technologies.

Data Visualization Specialist

The Data Visualization Specialist may transform complex program and operational data into accessible, meaningful, and actionable visual products for federal staff, program leaders, and other stakeholders.

Potential responsibilities may include:

• Develop dashboards, reports, visualizations, infographics, presentations, and other analytical products.
• Translate complex quantitative and qualitative information into clear visual stories.
• Design data products that support program oversight, performance monitoring, and decision-making.
• Collaborate with analysts, engineers, program staff, and other stakeholders to identify visualization needs.
• Develop static and interactive data displays.
• Support geospatial mapping and other specialized visualization needs.
• Apply effective data-storytelling and information-design techniques.
• Create leadership-ready data presentations and reports.
• Ensure visual products meet applicable accessibility requirements.
• Support continuous improvement of dashboards and other data products based on user feedback.

Competitive candidates will typically have:

• A bachelor's degree in Data Visualization, Information Design, Data Science, or a related field.
• At least three years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong knowledge of visualization and information-design principles.
• Experience translating complex data into clear and compelling visual stories.
• Experience developing dashboards and analytical presentations.
• Strong stakeholder collaboration skills.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards.
• Experience with Tableau, Power BI, D3.js, or comparable visualization platforms.
• Experience with GIS or mapping tools desirable.
• Experience with Figma, Canva, Google Data Studio, or similar tools may also be beneficial.
• Experience supporting federal, public-sector, Head Start, early childhood, or human-services data preferred.

Data Analyst

Data Analysts may collect, analyze, interpret, and communicate program, grant, operational, and performance data to support OHS oversight and decision-making.

Potential responsibilities may include:

• Collect, organize, analyze, and interpret quantitative and qualitative data.
• Conduct basic and complex data analyses.
• Identify trends, patterns, anomalies, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Analyze Head Start program, grant, enrollment, operational, or performance information.
• Prepare analytical reports, summaries, presentations, dashboards, and other data products.
• Respond to data-related inquiries and ad hoc analytical requests.
• Support leadership trend analysis and special data projects.
• Work with data layers and data from multiple systems and sources.
• Support program evaluation, quality assurance, performance monitoring, and process improvement.
• Translate analytical findings into understandable and actionable information for program and leadership audiences.
• Support data-informed decision-making across OHS operations.

Competitive candidates will typically have:

• A bachelor's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Data Science, or a related field.
• At least three years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills.
• Experience analyzing and reporting quantitative and qualitative findings.
• Experience working with data from multiple sources or data layers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with Excel, Python, and/or R.
• Experience with SQL, GIS, data visualization, survey methodology, or AI applications desirable.
• Experience with tools such as Qualtrics, Tableau, Power BI, ArcGIS, GitHub, or Smartsheet beneficial.
• Early childhood and/or Head Start knowledge preferred.

Data Management Specialist

Data Management Specialists may support data quality, governance, records management, workflow tracking, documentation, and maintenance of OHS data and operational systems.

Potential responsibilities may include:

• Monitor and improve data quality, completeness, integrity, and accuracy.
• Conduct data quality assurance and validation activities.
• Support data governance processes and standards.
• Maintain records, metadata, documentation, and data-management procedures.
• Support workflow and task-management systems.
• Perform data cleaning, reconciliation, and quality reviews.
• Maintain and organize program and operational records.
• Support document-management and metadata-management systems.
• Assist with system maintenance and process improvement.
• Develop and maintain documentation needed for knowledge transfer and continuity.
• Work with analysts, engineers, program teams, and other stakeholders to resolve data-quality issues.

Competitive candidates will typically have:

• A bachelor's degree in Information Management, Library Science, or a related field.
• At least three years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience with data quality assurance and validation.
• Knowledge of data governance principles.
• Experience with document-management and metadata-management systems.
• Strong data-cleaning, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of records management.
• Advanced experience with Excel or Smartsheet.
• Basic SQL experience desirable.
• Federal information systems, public-sector, early childhood, or Head Start experience preferred.

Data Entry Support Specialist

Data Entry Support Specialists may provide accurate data entry, record maintenance, system updates, validation, and basic reporting support.

Potential responsibilities may include:

• Enter, update, and maintain information in databases, spreadsheets, and internet-based systems.
• Perform accurate and timely data updates.
• Review data for completeness and basic accuracy.
• Conduct basic validation and quality checks.
• Maintain records and supporting documentation.
• Assist with system and database updates.
• Support basic reporting and tracking activities.
• Complete forms and standardized documentation.
• Follow established data-management procedures and workflows.
• Support data-management and program teams with routine data activities.

Competitive candidates will typically have:

• An associate degree in Information Management or a related field; bachelor's degree preferred.
• At least two years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience with database systems and data entry.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to follow established procedures consistently.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience with Smartsheet, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, or similar platforms desirable.
• Ability to complete forms, maintain records, and produce basic reports accurately.
• Federal, Head Start, early childhood, or other public-sector experience desirable but not required.

Core Qualifications

Qualifications will vary by position and level. Candidates should demonstrate an appropriate combination of:

• Strong technical, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills appropriate to the selected position.
• Ability to work accurately with complex information and data.
• Strong attention to data quality, accuracy, and documentation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Commitment to security, confidentiality, accessibility, and responsible data management.
• Ability to learn and work effectively within federal or other complex information systems.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must be able to satisfy applicable federal background, security, and system-access requirements.

Head Start and Federal Experience

Direct Head Start/Early Head Start experience is highly valued but is not required for every Data & Analytics position.

Experience with Head Start, early childhood, federal grants, HHS/ACF/OHS, or other federal programs should be considered a significant matching factor for positions in which understanding the program context strengthens the employee's ability to analyze, interpret, manage, or communicate the data. For highly technical positions, demonstrated technical qualifications and experience may be more important than direct Head Start experience.

Work Arrangement

Work arrangements will be determined based on the requirements of individual assignments and may include remote, telework, travel, or on-site support. Candidates nationwide are encouraged to apply. Specific work-location requirements will be communicated as positions are finalized.