Policy Research Analyst - Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency

PHEAA is a nonprofit student aid organization that holds a mission of providing affordable access to higher education.

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This role employs advanced statistical reporting and analysis techniques, including multivariate models to calculate variations on data.It includes collecting, extracting, summarizing, and analyzing data for high-profile research projects.The role develops sophisticated projections and models of financial aid awards under various scenarios and requires trend analysis and economic forecasting skills. This position is responsible for coding and delivering reports using report writing tools, such as Statistical Analysis Software (SAS), Output Delivery System (ODS), Advanced Query Tools (AQT), Job Control Language (JCL) or other Structured Query Language (SQL) software at an expert level.In addition to this advanced experience with programming languages, the position requires senior-level experience and knowledge in relational databases and how to read data models. The role provides PHEAA Executive Staff, PHEAA Board, the General Assembly and other internal/external stakeholders with quality data to facilitate program planning, accountability, evaluation, and development.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Statistical Analysis, Modeling and Forecasting

Initiate and conduct complex original and collaborative research.

Provide reliable, relevant, and quality data and information to facilitate planning, accountability, program evaluation, and development of Agency policy positions.

Apply advanced mathematics, scientific methods and computer programming to define data requirements and analyze, test and evaluate information, including the projection of State Grant and Special Program applicants, recipients and dollar volume for the annual Commonwealth budget process and actual award determinations.

Use analytical techniques, such as linear and logistic regression, to answer research/policy questions. Generate descriptive statistics, crosstabs and correlations for data.

Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy, or determine need for reformulation.

Conduct complex data management and analysis with large complicated datasets.

Forecast State Grant Program and Special Program applicants, recipients, and dollar volume via an annual estimation process.

Redesign, maintain, and operate the annual State Grant Program forecasting system, which is currently SAS-based and involves senior-level skills in a high risk-based environment.

Create predictive financial aid models accounting for multiple, interactive scenarios and economic factors that can have budgetary and enrollment repercussions.

Analyze State Grant and other Agency program data utilizing SAS, SAS GRAPH, AQT, JCL, ODS, and SQL.

Track multi-year trends and identify key factors in determining the usage of Agency programs.

Participate in and contribute to relevant meetings in order to assist areas outside of State Grant and Special Programs with their research and policy needs.

Forecast staffing needs for the State Grant and Special Programs call center.


SAS Programming and Statistical Report Writing

Develop high-profile, client-centric reports for PHEAA, its Board of Directors, the General Assembly, other government agencies, and external stakeholders and ensure that these reports are complete and accurate by verifying results.

Fulfill highly complex internal and external statistical data requests in a timely and clear manner, including bill analyses.

Deliver clear and succinct graphical presentations of data.

Verify reports of other analysts to ensure accuracy and quality control.

Automate routine activities and improve data collection through more efficient SAS coding and alternative technology.

Business Process Analysis/Support

Liaison between Research and Policy Analysis and other Agency divisions for issues related to data management, transfer and integrity.

Assess potential problems and recommend corrective action to resolve or mitigate associated risks.

Apply senior-level relational database knowledge to the management, analysis, and performance of agency databases.

Provide production support by identifying, analyzing, and updating production-driven records and/or processes.

Develop databases for quality assurance efforts.


Other Duties and Responsibilities

State Grant and Special Programs representative for agency-wide IT initiatives.

Comply with the Agency’s enterprise security and privacy policies and departmental procedures.

Other duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, economics, computer science, or related field and minimum of five years of demonstrated advanced knowledge of statistical and business software, including SAS or the equivalent combination of certifications, experiences, and/or training.

Demonstrated expertise in advanced data analysis techniques, such as analysis of variance, hierarchical linear modeling, latent class analysis, and non-parametric statistics.

Demonstrated expert-level use of SAS, SQL, and MS Office required.

Advanced data programming experience required.

Proven experience in data management and analysis with large complicated datasets

Advanced experience analyzing data and drawling conclusions.

Senior-level experience in querying and reporting from relational databases.

High-level proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

A track record of adapting to shifting priorities, demands and timelines.

Proven effective communication and interaction with individuals throughout the organization, including IT, business units, and upper management.

Ability to adapt to change and implement quickly based on overall direction and needs of the organization.

Demonstrated effective time management, organization and prioritizing ability.

Demonstrated self-starter and self-motivator.

Excellent ability to handle confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree and five years of progressively responsible professional analytical work in program analysis involving the use of statistical and data analysis techniques.


PHEAA’s environment welcomes and supports our employees, customers, and stakeholders; we seek out and value differing perspectives and contributions. Our organizational culture promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of the organization.

Required Experience