Salary : $72,238.40 - $111,238.40 Annually
Location : Des Moines - 50319 - Polk County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-03180
Agency: 282 Iowa Department of Education
Opening Date: 05/22/2026
Closing Date: 6/4/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-POST
Point of Contact:
To Apply: Candidates are encouraged to provide detailed information regarding relevant experience within their application materials. Applicants must attach an unofficial transcript, a resume and cover letter.

Job Description
Note: Applicants must reside in Iowa at the time of hire

The Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services is seeking a Data Analyst 2 to serve as a key member of the Data, Reporting, and Program Support Team. In this role, you will help maintain and improve the systems that support nutrition programs across Iowa. Your work will help ensure that participating schools, child care organizations, and other partners have efficient processes and dependable systems that ultimately support children and families throughout the state.

If you enjoy solving problems, improving processes, managing complex systems, and transforming data into practical insights, this role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful statewide impact.

What You'll Do:

As a member of our team, you will help manage and improve critical data systems and processes that support bureau operations and program delivery.

Data Management & Reporting

• Gather, organize, and analyze information from databases, spreadsheets, and other data sources
• Develop reports, visualizations, and written summaries that communicate findings clearly
• Identify, track, and monitor key performance indicators aligned with bureau and department goals
• Support data-driven decision-making through meaningful reporting and analysis

System Administration & Process Improvement

• Serve as a liaison between bureau staff and data system contractors to translate business needs into effective system solutions
• Manage system service and access requests from end users, including schools, childcare providers, and other stakeholders
• Resolve system issues through data corrections, configuration updates, or process improvements
• Develop recommendations and workflows that improve efficiency and strengthen system performance
• Provide technical recommendations related to system enhancements and future development opportunities

Project Coordination & Quality Assurance

• Coordinate multiple concurrent system enhancements and updates
• Plan and conduct system testing and document outcomes
• Partner with internal teams and end users to ensure enhancements move successfully into production
• Support secure data storage, retention, disposal practices, and data integrity standards

What We're Looking For:

Successful candidates will bring or have the ability and desire to develop, the following:

• Passion for public service and improving outcomes for Iowa students and communities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Technical aptitude and curiosity for learning new systems and tools
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to translate technical information into understandable language for a variety of audiences
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Ability to navigate complex situations and meet deadlines
• Commitment to working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate may have experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Experience using Microsoft SQL tools within recent platform versions
• Experience writing complex T-SQL queries against SQL Server databases
• Experience managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Experience working in environments with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
• Strong attention to detail and ability to apply established procedures with accuracy and efficiency
• Experience with office software applications including spreadsheets and reporting tools
• Experience implementing government regulations or policy requirements
• Experience with USDA Child Nutrition Programs preferred

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Occasional evenings, weekends, and in-state or out-of-state travel may be required.
If you would like a copy of the Position Description Questionnaire (PDQ), please contact: [email protected]
What's In It for You?

• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of Iowa students, families, and communities
• Join a collaborative and supportive work environment
• Work alongside passionate colleagues committed to public service
• Opportunities for learning, growth, and professional development
• Collaboration with experts and partners across the country
• Employee discounts through a variety of vendors
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including:
• Paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, military leave, and jury duty leave
• Low-cost, high-quality health and dental insurance options
• Retirement benefits through IPERS
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Optional supplemental benefits and retirement savings opportunities

For more information, check out Benefits Beyond the Paycheck.

Applicants must reside in the State of Iowa at the time of hire

Minimum Qualification Requirements
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
1) Six years of full-time work experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science.
2) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, management information systems, or industrial management, and experience equal to two years of full-time work (as described in number one). An unofficial transcript MUST be attached. Note: Computer Science degrees do NOT meet this qualification
3) All of the following (a and b):

a. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science, where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, management information systems, or industrial management equals one year of full-time experience; and

b. A total of two years of graduate-level education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university coursework in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, management information systems, or industrial management equals one year of full-time experience. An unofficial transcript MUST be attached.
4) All of the following (a and b):

a. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science, where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and

b. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, management information systems, or industrial management. An unofficial transcript MUST be attached. Note: Computer Science Master's degrees do NOT meet this qualification
5) All of the following (a, b, and c):

a. Two years of full-time work experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science; and

b. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and

c. Possession of a professional certificate in data science, business analytics, or data analytics. An unofficial transcript and copy of Certificate MUST be attached.
6) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Data Analyst 1.

For additional information, please click on this .
Additional Qualification Requirements

An unofficial transcript MUST be attached for educational experience to be considered.
01

Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.

• Yes - I understand and agree.
• No

02

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. a7611 et seq?

• No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. a7611 et seq
• Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. a7611 et seq

03

Have you graduated from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, management information systems, or industrial management, AND have experience equal to two years of full-time work in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science?An unofficial transcript MUST be attached.

• Yes
• No

04

Do you meet A and B:A. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science, where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, management information systems, or industrial management equals one year of full-time experience; andB. A total of two years of graduate-level education and/or full-time experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science, where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university coursework in business analytics, economics, data science, statistics, mathematics, management information systems, or industrial management equals one year of full-time experience.An unofficial transcript MUST be attached.

• Yes
• No

05

Do you meet A, B and C:A. Two years of full-time work experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science; andB. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience.C. Possession of a professional certificate in data science, business analytics, or data analytics.An unofficial transcript MUST be attached.

• Yes - I meet A, B and C
• I do not meet A, B and C

06

Are you a current, permanent State of Iowa employee? If yes - do you have continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Data Analyst 1?

• Yes - I am a current permanent State of Iowa employee with continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Data Analyst
• I am NOT a current permanent State of Iowa employee with continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Data Analyst

07

Which best describes your education and experience? (If multiple responses apply for you, please choose the one option that best describes your experience)

• Bachelors degree with emphasis in data integration, data analysis, statistical analysis, information tec