Job Description

Upper Albany Main Street, Inc. (UAMS) is seeking Graduate Assistants to maintain and support Power BI dashboards that inform UAMS's reporting to funders, partners, and leadership.

Graduate Assistants will help ensure dashboards stay accurate and reliable as new data flows in, and will build out the internal staff-facing dashboard in phases under the direction of the Data Analyst.

Beyond technical maintenance, the role involves telling compelling stories with data, transforming numbers into insights that communicate program impact and community outcomes. This includes applying principles of data and visual storytelling to make dashboards intuitive, engaging, and meaningful for diverse audiences.

This role offers hands-on experience in Power BI dashboard maintenance, phased dashboard development, and data storytelling. Graduate Assistants will gain practical skills in supporting live, interactive dashboards within a nonprofit and municipal-funded environment, with structured onboarding to UAMS's programs and data systems.

Key Responsibilities

The role is organized around four areas of contribution:

1. Power BI Dashboard Maintenance & Support

• Maintain the external and funder dashboards built and redesigned by Skyline Strategies: monitor the live refresh, confirm visuals display correctly as new data flows in, and make minor tweaks (formatting, filters, layout adjustments) as directed by the Data Analyst
• Build out the internal staff-facing dashboard in phases, working from data models and specifications provided by the Data Analyst (full completion is not expected within a single semester)
• Flag any refresh failures, broken visuals, or data discrepancies to the Data Analyst promptly
• Apply visualization best practices to keep dashboards clear and useful for non-technical stakeholders

2. Data Research & Integration Support

• Research and help identify data sources needed for a future Main Street Dashboard (e.g., business owner lists, contact/outreach information), under Data Analyst direction
• Assist with data entry into the master workbook as directed
• Support integration of new or approved data sources into existing dashboards under Data Analyst direction

3. Analytical & Storytelling Support

• Conduct exploratory analysis to identify trends, anomalies, and insights that inform dashboard narratives
• Collaborate with the Data Analyst to design visuals that highlight program impact and community development outcomes
• Prepare data-driven stories and visual summaries for funder and stakeholder presentations
• Assist in developing metrics explanations and contextual notes that enhance understanding of dashboard content

4. Research & Documentation

• Document dashboard maintenance procedures and update logs to support handoffs between GA cohorts
• Research best practices in data visualization and storytelling for nonprofit and municipal reporting
• Support the creation of guides and templates for consistent dashboard design and data communication
• Maintain confidentiality and security of organizational and participant information

Qualifications

Required

• Currently enrolled in a graduate program (Business Analytics, Data Science, Information Systems, MBA, Economics, Public Administration, or related field)
• Working knowledge of Power BI, including dashboard design and basic data modeling
• Strong Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, and data cleaning
• Comfortable communicating with non-technical staff to clarify data needs and translate insights into clear visuals
• Reliable and self-directed; able to manage a recurring weekly workload with minimal supervision
• Demonstrated ability to tell stories with data, using visualization and narrative to communicate insights effectively

Preferred

• Exposure to ETL concepts or data modeling (DAX, Power Query)
• Coursework or project experience with SQL for data manipulation
• Exposure to Python or R for data transformation or automation
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 tools beyond Excel: SharePoint, Forms, Teams, Power Automate
• Experience working with surveys, spreadsheets, dashboards, or CRM systems

Skills Required

• Customer Service
• Data analysis
• Data entry