DEPUTY ASSESSOR - CHIEF DATA OFFICER

Department: Data & Modeling Job Code: 7724 Grade: 24 Shakman Status: Exempt FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Chief Deputy Assessor, the Deputy Assessor - Chief Data Officer (CDO) supervises, directs, plans and is responsible for the Data & Modeling Department. The CDO’s duties include direct oversight of the Department staff’s work performance, including the activities of the Data Scientists and Modelers, addressing and resolving staff concerns and questions, issuing performance evaluations and initiating disciplinary action, and ensuring the Data & Modeling Department provides good customer service. In addition, the CDO is responsible for maximizing the value of enterprise data and ensuring the Cook County Assessor’s Office (CCAO) has the right data in the right format to support its mission. The CDO is responsible for managing all aspects of the CCAO’s data efforts, which include its open data and advanced analytics programs, as well as administration and .

Essential Job Duties

General • Oversees and directs the , staffing, supervision, and daily operations of the Data & Modeling Department. • Develop data policies and procedures designed to improve assessment methodologies. • Works with other Cook County offices on data initiatives in support of the property tax cycle. • Conducts performance evaluations of Data & Modeling Department employees. • Consults with the Chief Deputy Assessor, Chief Legal Officer, and other Deputies within the CCAO as required. • Ensures staff productivity and development, promotes good morale, and establishes performance measures of reporting staff. • Assures that activities and results are consistent with CCAO’s mission, goals, and objectives. • Administers CCAO policy and procedures and ensures that staff are adequately trained to perform their essential job duties. • Works to standardize and promote the use of data and analytics in support of property tax assessment. • Works with Assessor and Chief Deputy Assessor to create a culture that manages data as an enterprise asset. • Explores opportunities to gather or create new data valuable to the public. 1

• Works with the Director of Training and Continuous Improvement to conduct training for CCAO staff in relevant data collection techniques (and related topics), including creating and updating training curriculum and materials.

Cook County Open Data Portal and Tyler Technologies • Works with the Bureau of Technology (BOT) to publish CCAO data, ensure that data remains up-to-date, and that new data is added to the portal and is accurate, available, and accessible. • Works with BOT and IT vendors to implement contracts for data modernization initiatives. • Works with the Deputy Assessor - Chief Information Officer (CIO) and BOT to develop contract provisions to promote open data policies in technology-related procurements. • Collaborates with and/or advises external parties, including organizations, civic data groups, and residents, around projects that further the CCAO’s data goals or inquiries that promote the advancement of open data use.

Data Science • Builds and maintain a complex code base that performs a wide range of production and analytics tasks. • Manages complex engagements and interface with CCAO staff to deliver data science projects that provide improvements to CCAO efficiency, transparency, and fairness, • Manages data collection, , cross-channel , predictive analytics, reporting, dashboards, and data visualization. • Develops strategies to identify and pursue opportunities to use data science within the CCAO and County to improve services provided by the Office. • Collaborates and develops relationships with external parties, such as academic researchers, pro bono consultants, and university students to help develop new projects.

Business Intelligence • Leverages data to develop performance indicators for critical internal CCAO processes. • Leverages data to improve CCAO communications with the public, elected officials, and outside stakeholders.

Database Administration • Operates across organizational and computing "silos" to drive common approaches and expose information assets and processes across the enterprise. • Works with the CIO, architecture, database administrators, leadership, and County departments to evaluate and select appropriate database technologies and platforms. • Oversees existing , including backups.

The duties described above are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete description of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

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Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in data science, computer science, information science, mathematics, economics, or related field. • Five (5) years of full-time work experience leading data science, data engineering, technical, or operational teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in data science, computer science, information science, mathematics, economics, or related field. • Experience in legal and regulatory areas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of CCAO’s operations, function, procedures, activities and the property tax system, or the ability to quickly gain such knowledge. • Knowledge of and ability to consistently interpret and apply CCAO policies, procedures, practices and guidelines or the ability to gain such knowledge. • Strong knowledge of system analysis, computer programming and computer operations. • Competency in the following foundational concepts: o Programming in R, SQL, Python or other similar procedural languages. o Differentiating data sources o Exploring data visually o Mapping data, particularly using geographic information systems (GIS) o Building a data schema o Linking datasets • Knowledge of current computer and electronic data processing systems and technology solutions to business problems. • Advanced mathematical skills and knowledge of probability and statistics. • Familiarity with federal, state, or local government operations. • Knowledge of strategic technology planning and execution, and policy development and maintenance. • Ability to lead complex, multidisciplinary talent teams in new endeavors and delivering solutions. • Ability to describe business use cases/outcomes, data sources and management concepts, and analytical approaches/options. • Ability to translate among the languages used by executive, business, IT and quant stakeholders. • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain digital concepts and technologies to business leaders, as well as business concepts to technologists.

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• Excellent business acumen and interpersonal skills; able to work across business lines at senior levels to influence and effect change to achieve common goals. • Outstanding analytical and problem-solving abilities. • Ability to develop and make presentations to a diverse audience. • Ability to resolve specific problems in accordance with management objectives. • Ability to meet CCAO and Departmental deadlines, production goals, and effectively utilize time with limited oversight. • Ability to work with others and excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with elected officials, the public, co-workers, and staff. • Ability to lead and cooperate on specific projects related to the functions of the Department. • Working knowledge of CCAO Employment Plan, Employee Handbook, and any applicable collective bargaining agreement(s). • Must be computer literate, with skill and efficiency in entering and retrieving data, and possess the ability to utilize CCAO systems and databases.

Physical Requirements

• Visual acuity to review and edit written communications for long periods of time. • Walking between offices and buildings may be required. • Repetitive use of hands to handle and/or operate standard office equipment. • Regular use of a telephone to communicate.

COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Last modified: January 15, 2019

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