Data Catalog Specialist

Role Description

This role at Arbitration Forums is as unique as it is rewarding because of the AF IPAAL Values (Integrity, Passion, Accountability, Achievement, Leadership) and TRI Model (Trust, Respect, Inclusion). 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 AF 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.

Departmental Expectation of Employee

• Adheres to AF Policy and Procedures and the AF IPAAL Values and TRI Model
• Acts as a role model within and outside AF.
• Performs duties as workload necessitates.
• Maintains a positive and respectful attitude.
• Communicates regularly with the departmental leader about department issues.
• Demonstrates flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload.
• Consistently reports to work on time, prepared to perform duties of the position.
• Meets Department productivity standards.

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, as well as 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:
• Proficiency in data modeling, database design, and data warehousing (e.g., SQL, NoSQL, Hadoop, MS Azure cloud, etc.).
• Understanding of cloud-based data platforms (Snowflake, Databricks).
• Experience with ETL/ELT tools and data integration technologies (e.g., Apache, DBT, Informatica, Matillion, Talend).
• Working knowledge of cloud services (i.e., MS Azure, AWS, Google Cloud).
• Strong understanding of data catalogs and lineage plotting practices and tools (Unity, Purview).
• Familiarity with data visualization and reporting tools (e.g., Webfocus, Power BI).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R.
• Soft Skills:
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to lead projects and mentor junior staff.
• Auto Insurance claims industry experience preferred.

Americans with Disability Specifications

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

This is a fully remote position requiring reliable high-speed internet access and a dedicated workspace. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.