Portland Public Schools in Portland, Oregon is seeking a Benefits Data Analyst III to join the Finance team as a 1.0 FTE role. The position focuses on analyzing, managing, and leading ERP/HRIS technology solutions, data integrity, reporting, and system enhancements to support HR planning and district operations. This onsite role requires collaboration across departments and with information technology to optimize workforce data and HR systems.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a subject matter expert for the department’s technology solutions in support of district-level strategic alignment, including ERP business management software (HRMS) or other web applications; administer and maintain system tables, technical processes, and queries; apply HR functional knowledge to optimize HR information systems; act as a liaison between district leadership, the department, and central Information Technology Systems and Services.
- Coordinate and communicate with counterparts from other departments and IT regarding system issues, processing, upgrades and enhancements; lead and participate in cross-functional teams to ensure smooth integration of the department's technology systems, software and data with other district solutions.
- Troubleshoot system functionality and data output; confer with vendors, department staff and users regarding testing, evaluation, and resolution of software issues; review and revise processes and procedures as needed.
- Review system functionality and performance; make recommendations and engage district and department leaders in conversations about system needs, opportunities to improve systems, optimize performance, enhance user experience, and increase utilization.
- Manage and lead maintenance, testing and implementation of system upgrades; develop timelines for changes and communicate with end users to ensure proper usage.
- Develop, update and maintain system data tables and configurations as processes evolve; lead system updates, perform batch data updates, analyze systems, and create database tables and configurations to enable data extraction and manipulation in user-friendly formats.
- Evaluate and establish priorities for staff support and training; ensure ongoing, effective training is developed and provided, including new training as system changes are implemented.
- Process and audit data, access levels and parameters for system users based on defined policies; create, update and inactivate data and system records.
- Ensure data integrity through QA methods; formulate complex queries, define data requirements and produce analyses to support decision making and district information-management goals.
- Lead and support business process improvement, documentation and training activities, and the development, review and revision of policies or procedures related to the department’s information technology systems.
- Lead and participate in developing user training guides and classes on ERP modules or related department solutions; provide technical assistance and training to district staff with varying levels of technology literacy.
- Apply knowledge of HR information systems to extract and analyze current, historical, and forecasted data for strategic workforce planning.
- Stay current on changes and trends in information system technology, ERP and related technologies; attend conferences and trainings to enhance expertise and review new technologies.
- Keep abreast of changes in collective bargaining contracts; participate in assessment and data analysis to support district bargaining positions.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the Portland Public Schools Equity Initiative by applying district equity policies, participating in diversity, equity and inclusion trainings, and developing improvements to HR practices with awareness of their impact in the district.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as PeopleSoft or SAP.
- Understanding of database concepts and basic programming concepts for querying or managing data in relational databases.
- Familiarity with basic programming concepts for querying data, using languages such as Visual Basic or SQL.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; advanced Excel skills.
- Strong customer-service techniques and principles.
- Experience with project management applications and change management strategies.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Knowledge of district policies and procedures related to the department’s business objectives.
- Awareness of applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.
- Ability to prepare and present reports; strong planning and coordination capabilities.
- Experience with various technologies and ERP tools (eg, PeopleSoft) and data manipulation tools.
- Ability to develop tables, databases, queries and spreadsheets; extract and combine data from multiple sources.
- Experience running moderately complex SQL queries or similar language interfaces.
- Skills to analyze data and present it using appropriate methods and tools.
- Experience supervising projects in a computer-technology environment and providing guidance to staff.
- Strong written and verbal communication abilities; ability to translate business needs into system requirements.
- Commitment to equity initiatives and ability to apply related policies in HR practices.
- Ability to manage multiple complex duties with changing priorities and deadlines.
- Discretion and ability to handle confidential information responsibly.
- Willingness to participate in user training and communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences.
- Ability to establish cooperative relationships and maintain a strong customer service orientation.
- Capacity to interpret district, department and industry procedures, including collective bargaining agreements.
- Use of data-analysis techniques to translate business needs into system requirements.
- Stay current with industry standards, laws, and best practices in information systems and data management.
- Maintain knowledge of software or system upgrades and data manipulation techniques.
Technologies
- PeopleSoft
- SAP
- SQL
- Visual Basic
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Excel
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Prescription coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- 403(b) retirement savings plan
- Leave benefits
- Professional development programs
- Participation in Public Employees Retirement System (PERS/OPSRP)
Position Details
This position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received. Salary range: $100,326.00 – $119,794.00. Location: Prophet Center. FTE: 1.0. Work year: 260. Status / FSLA: Exempt.
Benefits Information
Portland Public Schools offers competitive, comprehensive benefits to employees. Fringe benefits include medical, dental, vision, prescription, life and disability insurance, an employee assistance program, a 403(b) retirement savings plan, and various leave and professional development programs. Depending on the insurance option selected, employees may contribute toward the costs. PPS participates in PERS/OPSRP, with statutory employee contributions of 6% of salary pre-tax after six months under a PERS employer. For more information about benefits and compensation options, visit PPS's benefits page.
Distinguishing Characteristics of the Class
The Human Resources Data Analyst – HRIS III role blends subject-matter expertise with technical proficiency to directly support district information systems and technologies. The position involves assessing business processes, proactively developing and integrating services, managing issues, configuration and setup, user training, and communication of technical concepts across stakeholders.
Employment Standards
- ERP systems such as PeopleSoft or SAP.
- Database concepts and basic programming for relational data.
- Programming concepts for querying management in relational databases (SQL, Visual Basic).
- Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced Excel capabilities.
- High-quality customer service techniques.
- Project management applications and change management strategies.
- Oral and written communication skills.
- Knowledge of district policies and procedures related to the department's objectives.
- Local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
- Report preparation and presentation methods.
- Effective planning, scheduling and coordination of work.
- Proficiency with ERP tools and data-extraction software.
- Table, database, query, and spreadsheet development.
- Accurate data generation, validation and reporting; multi-source data extraction and manipulation.
- Moderately complex SQL querying.
- Data analysis techniques to present insights.
- Project supervision within a computer-technology environment.
- Providing direction to assigned staff and strong written and oral communication.
- Understanding and applying district equity policies and board policies.
- Timely delivery of program services and capability to manage changing priorities.
- Confidentiality, discretion, and sound judgment.
- User training participation and clear communication of technical concepts.
- Strong customer-service orientation and collaborative relationships.
- Interpreting and applying district and industry procedures, including collective bargaining agreements.
- Translating business needs into system requirements.
- Staying current with applicable laws, best practices, and procedures.
- Ability to read, interpret and apply complex technical material and policies.
- Maintaining knowledge of software upgrades and data-manipulation techniques.
Special Requirements
- Positions in this classification require the use of a personal automobile and possession of a driver’s license.
- Occasional variable work hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required.
Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with frequent interruptions. Hazards may include potential conflict situations. Physical demands include the ability to operate a computer keyboard for extended periods, with the capacity to sit, stand and walk as needed; occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds of office equipment and supplies; and the need for dexterity and coordination to perform tasks at a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.
