The Center On Rural Innovation is a nonprofit action tank advancing economic prosperity in rural America through the creation of inclusive digital economy ecosystems that support scalable entrepreneurship and tech job creation. We are seeking an innovative leader who is committed to expanding access to tech jobs for workers living in rural America.

Guided by a strong belief in rural ingenuity and small-town potential, CORI and its collaborating organization, Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc. (RISI), provide strategic support to rural communities wanting to develop inclusive, resilient digital ecosystems. Our systems approach to digital economy ecosystems involves building a nationwide network of local economic change agents; increasing the digital workforce and access to digital jobs both local to rural areas and remote; using mapping and data to highlight rural opportunities; making direct investments in underserved rural entrepreneurs, and closing the digital divide so all Americans can participate in the 21st-century digital economy. We are currently working with 25 towns across 18 states in the Rural Innovation Network to execute this model.

Rural America is home to 15% of the workforce overall, but just 5% of the tech workforce. Smaller populations and lack of broadband in rural areas have historically translated into inequities in access to training in fast-growing tech careers, leading rural employers to outsource their tech demand to the urban market. This has led to a vicious cycle in which there is never enough demand to justify tech training in rural areas, and because training is not available, employers continue to outsource their tech needs. CORI aims to break this cycle by showing that digital economy jobs and tech talent can exist in rural areas, and we are seizing the moment to create a more equitable distribution of accessible future-proof jobs.

The Mapping and Data Analytics (MDA) team provides provides accessible data, tools, and visualizations to highlight Rural America’s opportunities and challenges to change the narrative of Rural America and empower rural communities to create inclusive digital economies. Our interdisciplinary Research, Mapping, and Data Analytics team members have extensive backgrounds in economics, data science, social science research, and software develompent. We collaborate closely with our colleagues that work directly with rural leaders across the country in our Rural Innovation Initiative and Rural Innovation Network programs, allowing us to root our work in the experiences and realities of rural communities. We offer unparalleled, independent analysis of rural economic development issues informed by our deep expertise and broad networks. As a result, we are consistently sought out for advice about trends and opportunities in rural development and to offer guidance on positioning in the current narrative and understanding of rural America in the future.

The MDA Senior Data Engineer develops and implements MDA data warehousing solutions, including the design, maintenance, and implementation of data pipelines, integration, and technical requirements translation.

• Establishes, maintains, and optimizes an accessible MDA data warehousing infrastructure, meeting the needs of end users through the design and maintenance of comprehensive metadata systems, dashboards, interactive tools, technical documentation and expert support.
• Directs all QA activities. Assesses and incorporates data integrity and validity controls throughout the ETL and warehousing process. Builds automated tests, employing best practices in the development and implementation of quality assurance through process standardization, documentation, and audits.
• Provides functional and non-functional QC testing on software and tool development, ensuring both the business requirements and operational functions are met.
• Serves as MDA team technical subject matter expert developing, testing, and deploying R, SQL, and Python scripts.
• Supervises database infrastructure support staff, including leading the recruitment, performance evaluation, and professional development in support of data ingestion, warehousing, and QA/QC activities.
• Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering or technical field of study and at least 3-5 years of data ETL and/or warehousing experience or relevant combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated success integrating data from multiple sources.
• Solid understanding of data modeling and mapping
• Strong concepts of design and development of ETL structures.
• Working experience with cloud-based platforms.
• Understanding of DevOps technology stack, including Linux, Docker, Git/GitHub, etc.
• Advanced knowledge of SQL, R and/or Python
• Professional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to interact with others with tact and diplomacy
• Ability to anticipate, respond and adapt quickly to changing requirements and competing demands.
• Initiative, sound judgment and ability to work independently.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy

Benefits

• Personal and professional development opportunities
• Health, dental, and short-term disability insurance
• 15 days PTO first year, 8 floating holidays
• Employer matched 401k after 90 days
• The salary for this position is $85,000-$95,000, depending on experience.

You’ll enjoy working here if:

• You value an entrepreneurial culture that encourages teammates to think boldly, take risks, and learn from experience
• You appreciate an independent work environment that supports diverse work styles and preferences
• You want to be part of a collaborative and interested team that finds opportunities to engage each other and have fun (whether in the office or dialing in)
• You like the idea of an open and transparent organization that embraces honest conversations and new ideas

Important Notes

• Please make sure your application materials are tailored to showcase your ability to succeed in this specific role.
• Cover letters are required. If you are applying via a platform that does not have a cover letter field, please include one in your resume file, otherwise, your application will not be considered.
• Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
• RISI will manage the application and review process using our Workable platform.
• Please direct all inquiries through this system. We are unable to respond to phone inquiries at this time.

Rural Innovation Strategies Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.