Data job role personas
“Data is more important than ever, and maintaining the public’s trust is a critical enabler in ensuring that quality information is available for informed decision making and service delivery. We have an opportunity to work together to support innovative ways to collect, share and use data responsibly to meet the needs of the day."
- Dr David Gruen AO
Overview
This product forms part of the APS Data Profession’s work to develop a universal understanding of data professional roles, capabilities and alignment within the APS. The APS Data Profession is designed to source, grow and mobilise data expertise across the APS.
Attached is a suite of four core data roles: data analyst, data manager, data scientist and data engineer. In addition, there are two specialisation roles in this suite: geospatial analyst and statistician.
Data job role profiles will provide the building blocks for identifying data capability requirements and career pathways for the data profession.
How to understand and use the Data Roles
Each persona highlights key descriptors and outlines key technologies, specialisations and relationships relevant for that role. It also maps the capabilities required against the three proficiency levels from the APS Data Capability Framework (DCF) and Skills for the Information Age (SFIA 8).
In the attached Overarching Information guide, you’ll find a couple of case studies to help you use the Data Job Role Personas to:
- Learn about what different data roles do in the APS
- Understand what capabilities are needed by professionals in particular jobs
- Identify capabilities that need development to help career progression
- Assess capabilities in preparation for performance reviews
- Create effective job adverts with consistent language
- Carry out human resources and workforce planning
Finding your fit
The core basis of a data role will be captured in an existing persona, however we understand that there are differences across APS agencies, particularly with different application of domain knowledge, processes and deliverables.
The data personas will not provide a completely holistic view of any singular role – rather they are intended to identify the fundamental requirements for a role at its highest level (unless otherwise specified).
We recognise that people are often more capable than what is formally required for their role and encourage data professionals to tailor their use of the data personas to inform their own circumstances.
Feedback
We would love to hear about your experience using these Data Job Roles, and how you are implementing them in your agency.
You can contact the APS Data Profession team via email: data.profession@abs.gov.au.