Core Data and Compliance Specialist

The Core Data & Compliance Specialist is responsible for coordinating, validating, maintaining, and submitting accurate district data required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and other state and federal agencies.

The position serves as a district expert and primary point of contact for Missouri Core Data and the Missouri Student Information System (MOSIS) and works collaboratively with district administrators, Human Resources, Finance, Special Education, Technology, Student Services, Curriculum and Instruction, school administrators, registrars, secretaries, and other staff responsible for generating, maintaining, or reporting district data.

The Core Data & Compliance Specialist helps ensure that district information is accurate, complete, timely, secure, and compliant with applicable state and federal requirements.

The position provides leadership in data validation, reporting procedures, staff training, troubleshooting, documentation, and continuous improvement of district data-management processes.

• Serve as the District's primary coordinator and subject-matter resource for Missouri Core Data and MOSIS reporting.
• Coordinate the collection, review, validation, correction, submission, and certification of information required by DESE through Core Data, MOSIS, and related state reporting systems.
• Coordinate all required DESE reporting cycles and ensure submissions are completed accurately and within established deadlines.
• Maintain a comprehensive annual calendar of Core Data, MOSIS, state, and federal reporting requirements and communicate deadlines to appropriate district personnel.
• Monitor changes to DESE reporting requirements, data definitions, file layouts, business rules, code sets, procedures, and timelines and communicate relevant changes to district personnel.
• Review state submissions for errors, warnings, inconsistencies, and anomalies and coordinate corrections with the appropriate district departments and schools.
• Complete required certification processes and maintain appropriate documentation supporting district data submissions.
• Serve as a liaison between the District and DESE regarding Core Data/MOSIS questions, reporting requirements, corrections, and data-quality issues.
• Attend appropriate DESE meetings, webinars, conferences, and training sessions related to Core Data, MOSIS, accountability, student information, and state reporting.

• Develop and maintain processes for regularly auditing district data to identify errors, missing information, inconsistencies, duplicate records, and other data-quality concerns.
• Conduct periodic data-quality reviews throughout the school year rather than relying solely upon validation immediately before state reporting deadlines.
• Compare information across district systems and departments to identify discrepancies and ensure consistent reporting.
• Work collaboratively with Human Resources, Finance, Special Education, Technology, Student Services, Curriculum and Instruction, Transportation, Food Services, and school personnel to resolve data discrepancies.
• Develop procedures for documenting data corrections and maintaining appropriate records of significant changes.
• Identify trends or recurring data-entry problems and recommend procedural, system, or training improvements.
• Assist administrators in understanding how data accuracy and reporting practices may affect district accountability, funding, compliance, enrollment, attendance, and other district operations.
• Alert appropriate administrators when data findings could negatively affect district compliance, accountability measures, funding, or reporting accuracy.

• Work collaboratively with Technology and other appropriate personnel to maintain the accuracy and integrity of information contained within the District's student information system.
• Assist in establishing and maintaining district standards for student demographic, enrollment, attendance, scheduling, course, program, and other information required for state reporting.
• Coordinate with school registrars, secretaries, counselors, administrators, and other staff to ensure accurate and consistent data-entry practices.
• Assist with the establishment and maintenance of school-year and summer-school data structures necessary for state reporting.
• Coordinate processes related to MOSIS student identification numbers and resolve student identification issues.
• Assist with state assessment pre-code files and other required student-data extracts.
• Assist district departments and schools in developing reports and extracting information needed for operational, compliance, and decision-making purposes.

• Develop and provide annual and ongoing training for administrators, secretaries, registrars, counselors, and other personnel responsible for entering or maintaining information used in Core Data/MOSIS submissions.
• Develop written procedures, manuals, calendars, checklists, reference materials, and other resources to promote consistent district-wide data practices.
• Provide individualized technical assistance to district and building personnel regarding Core Data, MOSIS, student information, and reporting procedures.
• Communicate changes in state reporting requirements and district procedures in a clear and timely manner.
• Provide additional training when audits or data reviews identify recurring errors or areas of concern.
• Cross-train designated district personnel on critical Core Data/MOSIS functions to support continuity of operations.

• Assist with or coordinate additional state and federal data-reporting requirements assigned to the position.
• Coordinate the collection and validation of information required for the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), as assigned.
• Assist with state assessment reporting, enrollment reporting, attendance reporting, summer-school reporting, and other required submissions.
• Collaborate with appropriate departments to ensure consistency between Core Data/MOSIS submissions and other state and federal reports.
• Maintain documentation necessary to support district responses to state or federal data audits.

• Assist district leadership in establishing and maintaining district-wide data definitions, procedures, standards, and responsibilities.
• Recommend improvements to data-collection and reporting processes to increase accuracy, efficiency, consistency, and accountability.
• Collaborate with Technology and district leadership when implementing or modifying systems that generate information used for state reporting.
• Assist in evaluating the impact of software changes, system integrations, and new district procedures on Core Data/MOSIS reporting.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of student, employee, and district information in accordance with FERPA, district policy, and applicable state and federal requirements.
• Promote a culture in which accurate data is viewed as a shared district responsibility and an essential component of effective decision-making.

Collaboration and Communication

• Establish effective working relationships with administrators, school personnel, district departments, DESE representatives, software vendors, and other external partners.
• Communicate reporting requirements, deadlines, identified errors, and corrective actions clearly and professionally.
• Facilitate meetings of district personnel responsible for Core Data/MOSIS information when necessary.
• Provide district leadership with periodic updates regarding reporting status, data-quality concerns, upcoming deadlines, and areas requiring administrative attention.
• Respond promptly and professionally to requests for data and technical assistance.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

The successful candidate should demonstrate the ability to:

• Interpret and apply detailed state reporting requirements.
• Analyze data for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
• Troubleshoot complex data problems and identify their underlying causes.
• Establish systems and procedures that reduce reporting errors.
• Communicate technical information to employees with varying levels of technical expertise.
• Develop productive working relationships across multiple district departments.
• Manage confidential information appropriately.
• Work accurately under strict deadlines.
• Prioritize multiple competing responsibilities.
• Exercise sound judgment and independent problem-solving.
• Provide exceptional internal customer service.
• Adapt to changing state requirements, technologies, and district needs.
• Translate data requirements into understandable procedures for school and district personnel.

The position is primarily performed in a professional office and school environment.

The employee may be required to travel between district facilities and attend meetings or training outside the District.

The position may require additional time during critical state reporting periods to ensure required submissions are completed accurately and on time.

Successful performance in this position includes:

• Core Data/MOSIS submissions completed accurately and by required deadlines.
• Reduction in state reporting errors and warnings.
• Timely identification and correction of data-quality concerns.
• Consistent district-wide data-entry and reporting procedures.
• Effective training and support for building and department personnel.
• Accurate documentation of reporting processes and procedures.
• Positive working relationships with district departments, schools, and DESE.
• Effective communication of deadlines and compliance requirements.
• Continuous improvement in the accuracy, reliability, and usefulness of district data.

Terms of Employment

12-month position; salary and work calendar established by the Board of Education.

Performance will be evaluated annually in accordance with Independence School District policies and procedures.