Data Scientist

Description

Job Title: Data Scientist

Date: 08/03/2025

Reports to: VP of Technology

Department: Engineering

Status: Exempt - Professionals

General Summary:

The mission of Portage Learning is to transform lives and communities by providing learning opportunities for all who aspire to thrive. We do this not only through superior online instruction, but with a deep commitment to expanding access to education. We believe service is the thread that binds our community and our team together. To that end, we choose to ...

• Believe the best in our employees
• Invest in our people
• Collaborate with humility, respect, and appreciation
• Cultivate curiosity and encourage creativity.

As a Data Scientist at Portage Learning, you'll be a key contributor to developing and optimizing our data infrastructure and analytics capabilities. You'll collaborate cross-functionally to design models, build data pipelines, and deliver insights that shape strategic decisions and enhance the learner experience.

Key Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function(s).

• Model Development: Design, test, and deploy statistical and machine learning models (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, forecasting) to solve complex problems and predict trends.
• Data Engineering: Build and maintain robust data pipelines and backend systems to support analytics, reporting, and machine learning workflows.
• Data Wrangling: Clean, standardize, and validate datasets to ensure data quality and usability across projects.
• Visualization & Storytelling: Create compelling data visualizations and dashboards using BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) to support business decision-making.
• Innovative Problem-Solving: Explore and implement novel, data-driven solutions to business and operational challenges.
• Market Research: Leverage internal and external datasets to conduct market analysis and identify new business opportunities, emerging trends, and areas for strategic growth.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Translate data insights into actionable recommendations for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Documentation & Maintenance: Maintain thorough documentation for models, processes, and data assets to ensure scalability and reproducibility.
• Support Ad Hoc Needs: Provide data support for special initiatives and cross-departmental projects as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills Required:

• Proficient in Python and SQL/MySQL; experience with APIs and backend data workflows.
• Hands-on experience with data modeling (descriptive, predictive, prescriptive) and ML pipelines.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite - especially Excel (formulas, pivot tables, charts), PowerPoint (slide decks for presenting insights), and Word (technical documentation and reporting).
• Experience with Git or other version control systems for managing code and collaborative development.
• Familiarity with BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Exposure to Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI agent development is a plus.
• Experience with AWS SageMaker or other cloud-based ML platforms is a plus.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a passion for working with structured and unstructured data.
• Excellent communication skills - able to convey complex findings to a diverse audience.
• Creative, resourceful, and intellectually curious.
• Self-starter with a team-first mentality - you enjoy collaborating but can work independently when needed.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Must be service oriented with a focus on helping others.

Qualifications (Education Requirements/Experience):

• Bachelor's or master's degree in data science, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in data science, analytics, or related areas. (A master's degree may offset part of the experience requirement.)
• Experience working through the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a plus.
• A demonstrated passion for data-driven decision-making and a desire to continuously learn and improve.
• Successful completion of a background check and current and/or ability to obtain the following clearances: Child Abuse, State Police, and FBI Fingerprinting.
• Demonstrated agreement with and vision for the stated mission, vision, philosophy, values, and goals of Portage Learning.

Requirements

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, projectors, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to sit; talk and hear, use hands to type, file, handle or feel. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. Occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Visual acuity to use a keyboard, prepare and analyze data and figures; transcribing, viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.
• May require ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; or the ability to stand, walk, lift, carry and move light to medium weight. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate equipment and learn technical information.
• Light lifting is required. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force to constantly move objects.

Position Types and Expected Hours to work:

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Must be able to work from the office located in Chippewa Township, PA.

Travel:

This job requires occasional travel. Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.

Other Duties Disclaimer:

This is not an all-inclusive document. Additional duties, expectations, demands, etc. may be added or changed to this document on an as-needed basis in order to meet organizational goals.