Program Associate I - Application Analyst

Job Description

Job Title

Position Title: Program Associate I - Application Analyst

Location: Fisher Building, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202

Salary: $75,048 - $98,163

Reports to: Assistant Director, Student Information Systems

Bargaining Unit: OSAS

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Telecommuting Eligibility: Eligible for telecommuting up to 40% (two (2) days per week).

Position Summary:

As a key member of the Student Information Services (SIS) team, the Program Associate I - Application Analyst builds and maintains the tools that help schools and central office teams make informed decisions and support students. This hands-on technical role administers and configures PowerSchool and related applications, develops reports, customizes application pages, and troubleshoots application and data flow issues.

Working closely with teams across the District, the Application Analyst turns operational needs and business rules into practical solutions that make student information accurate, accessible, and useful. Successful candidates bring strong technical and communication skills, curiosity, and a willingness to learn how their work supports enrollment, attendance, scheduling, and graduation readiness in a large school district. Experience administering or customizing PowerSchool in public education is preferred; candidates with transferable application administration and development experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in information systems, mathematics, information science, statistics, or a related field, or equivalent technical experience.
• Exceptional communication skills to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights, fostering collaboration across teams with varying levels of technical expertise.
• Proficiency in SQL, including independently writing queries with multiple joins, aggregations, and conditional logic, and proficiency in HTML to create and maintain application pages that present query results clearly.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Power BI for data analysis and visualization, with the ability to present insights in an accessible and impactful way.
• Ability to test reports and system changes, validate data accuracy, and document technical logic and operating procedures.
• Experience administering information systems or database-driven applications, including configuration, user access, and technical troubleshooting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to research unfamiliar systems, learn new tools, and work through ambiguity.
• Ability to manage assigned work and recurring deadlines, follow established procedures, and communicate progress, risks, and support needs promptly.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to build relationships with school-based staff to understand and address operational challenges, ensuring solutions are practical and impactful.
• Experience with PowerSchool or other student information systems. (preferred)
• Familiarity with public school operations, including enrollment, attendance, scheduling, grading, graduation requirements, or pupil accounting. (preferred)
• Experience supporting operational improvements and the adoption of new tools and processes. (preferred)
• Experience with JavaScript, jQuery, or CSS for application customization. (preferred)
• Experience using APIs to retrieve, submit, or update data across applications and support system integrations. (preferred)
• Experience using version control or structured change management practices to document, review, and manage system changes. (preferred)

Essential Functions:

Administers assigned SIS applications, configurations, user accounts, and permissions in accordance with approved access and data protection requirements.

Executes and documents recurring system procedures and supports annual school-year transitions and time-sensitive District operations.

Investigates and resolves tier 2 and tier 3 application issues; coordinates with IT, vendors, and internal teams when additional support is needed.

Monitors and troubleshoots inbound and outbound data flows, validates successful processing, and learns to configure or develop new integrations under the Assistant Director's guidance.

Develops, maintains, and improves SQL queries and reports that apply complex business rules across related student data.

Creates and maintains HTML page customizations and reporting tools that make student information accessible and useful to school and central office staff.

Investigates data structures and existing code, researches technical approaches, and develops solutions within approved application capabilities.

Maintains accurate reports, letters, report cards, transcripts, and other system-generated outputs to meet District requirements.

Communicates complex system processes and solutions clearly and effectively, tailoring messages to audiences with varying levels of technical expertise.

Builds and maintains strong relationships with school and central office staff.

Collaborates with cross-functional teams to execute student data initiatives and ensure alignment with District goals.

Works with school and central office teams to clarify operational needs, document requirements and business rules, and validate proposed solutions

Communicates progress, dependencies, risks, and decisions needed to the Assistant Director and collaborating teams.

Designs and implements processes to ensure high-quality data practices across the District.

Encourages knowledge-sharing and supports organizational improvement through detailed governance documentation.

Tests reports, configurations, and system enhancements before implementation to verify data accuracy, business rule alignment, and usability.

Identifies opportunities for operational efficiency and implements scalable improvements.

Synthesizes business rules and priorities into actionable system enhancements to advance the strategic goals and mission of the District.

Performs other duties as assigned by the Assistant Director of Student Information Systems.

Security Clearance:

Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.

External Applicants

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.

Method of Application:

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. Teaching service outside of the Detroit Public Schools Community District must be verified by the applicant's prior employer(s) prior to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at HR@detroitk12.org or phone at (313) 873-6897.