Data Specialist Jobs in Dallas, TX

Title: Data Catalog Specialist
Duration: 6 Months + Contract to Hire

Location: Remote (ONLY W2)

Job Description:

The Data Catalog Specialist drives and supports our data governance initiatives and ensures the integrity, quality, and security of our organization's data assets. This role is responsible for defining, implementing, and managing our data cataloging and metadata management practices as part of our overall data governance program. This role is an SME for Client in the areas of data classification, cataloging, lineage harvesting and plotting, and metadata, contributing to the quality and security of our data, ensuring that data assets are documented, discoverable, and accessible for utilization in advanced analytics, data science, machine learning, and AI-powered applications.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

- Develop, implement, and maintain strategies for data discovery, cataloging, and metadata management
- Ensure that the quality of the data cataloged meets company standards and adheres to internal guidelines
- Curate and validate metadata for integrity and accuracy, ensuring that taxonomies and structures are captured to provide additional context
- Maintain clear lineage information and establish source of truth for data items, including mapping and reconciliation of information
- Work with data owners to ensure that taxonomies are aligned with business definitions
- Define and measure the key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with data cataloging and lineage, identifying deviations and recommending corrective actions
- Enable effective data stewardship and accountability through the definition of supporting processes and implementation of procedures in cataloging tools
- Lead and drive to completion efforts to capture and maintain metadata, including data lineage, data quality, and data usage information
- Provide guidance to employees on data governance and cataloging processes and procedures, as well as training on the data governance tool stack
- Raise awareness of data management best practices and their importance to business operations
- Foster a culture of data stewardship, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Monitor compliance with data governance policies and assess effectiveness of controls
- Prepare and present data governance reports, dashboards, and metrics to senior leadership

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related field

6 years of experience in data cataloging tools and platforms

In-depth understanding of metadata management principles and practices

Strong working knowledge of frameworks, processes, and tools for data lineage plotting and harvesting

Strong understanding of data governance principles, frameworks, and best practices

Familiarity with regulatory requirements and industry standards related to data privacy and security

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Data & Platforms:

- Proficiency in data modeling, database design, and data warehousing (SQL, NoSQL, Hadoop, MS Azure cloud, etc.)
- Understanding of cloud-based data platforms (Snowflake, Databricks)

Data Integration:

- Experience with ETL/ELT tools and technologies: Apache, DBT, Informatica, Matillion, Talend
- Working knowledge of cloud services: MS Azure, AWS, Google Cloud

Data Catalog & Lineage Tools:

- Strong understanding of data catalogs and lineage plotting practices and tools, Unity (Databricks Unity Catalog), Microsoft Purview

Visualization & Reporting:

- Familiarity with tools such as: Webfocus, Power BI
- Proficiency in programming languages such as: Python, R

SOFT SKILLS

- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams
- Ability to lead projects and mentor junior staff

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