Data Support Officer

Overview

In this role you will maintain and analyse school place planning data to support informed decision-making. You will work closely with Education colleagues to forecast future demand for school places and produce reports for strategic planning and statutory returns. The position develops your analytical and technical skills within a supportive team focused on improving education provision for Lancashire’s children. This is an opportunity to contribute to shaping local education planning during a period of organisational transition.

Pay / Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme
• Excellent annual leave entitlement
• Learning and development opportunities
• Supportive and collaborative team environment

Responsibilities

• Support the collection, validation and maintenance of school place planning datasets
• Assist with the preparation of pupil projection data, forecasts and reports
• Maintain databases, spreadsheets and monitoring systems used by the School Place Planning Team
• Produce routine and ad-hoc statistical reports and information requests
• Support the preparation of statutory returns, sufficiency assessments and public-facing documents
• Analyse data to identify trends and anomalies and highlight findings to colleagues
• Assist in monitoring school capacities, admissions information and pupil numbers
• Conduct net capacity assessments for educational establishments in accordance with DfE methodology
• Support the collection and management of information relating to housing developments and education infrastructure
• Ensure data is handled securely and in accordance with data protection requirements
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Education, Planning and other council services
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of processes, systems and reporting methods

Key requirements

• Strong numerical, analytical and organisational skills
• Enjoys working with data and interpreting information
• Produces accurate work with attention to detail
• Confident using Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications
• Clear verbal and written communication
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
• Works well both independently and in a team
• Commitment to excellent customer service and support
• Educated to A-Level standard or equivalent
• Experience of working with data, spreadsheets or information systems
• Experience of maintaining accurate records and databases
• Experience of producing reports and presenting information clearly
• Strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Excel
• Good analytical and problem-solving abilities

• Clear verbal and written communication
• Attention to detail
• Ability to manage competing priorities
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office applications
• Experience with databases and data management

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