Database Analyst/Data Science Intern

ALEX is hiring a short-term Database Analyst with parallel Data Science Internship responsibilities. This hybrid role will support our Performance Management Analyst team and a military Operations Research/Systems Analyst at Quantico, VA. We are seeking candidates with backgrounds in computer science, engineering, or related fields, who possess strong critical thinking skills.

The Database Analyst will support the Marine Corps Training and Education Command (TECOM), which oversees individual training, professional military education, and continuous professional development initiatives. TECOM assists military units as they improve their combat readiness through various training programs. The analyst will work with TECOM's Analysis and Assessments Branch (A&AB) to manage and facilitate their data efforts. In the past two years, A&AB has seen an increased demand for AI/ML research capabilities, tools, models, and supporting analyses. They also run the Marine Corps Trends Reversal and Reinforcement Process (TRRP), collecting and analyzing training and readiness data to identify gaps, trends, and best practices in Training & Education. This involves coordinating various stakeholder teams worldwide, resolving their issues, supporting data-informed decisions, conducting assessments, and providing feedback.

The Database Analyst will assist the A&AB analysis team by providing support with Microsoft Power Platform, including Power Business Intelligence (BI) reports, branch dashboards, and available Power Apps.

Specific duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Work with TECOM stakeholders to develop software solutions from initial concept to production, to include aggregation of data and to build visually appealing reports on a dashboard within the Power Platform community.
• Employ 'out-of-the-box' connectors with PowerApps and Power Automate to create custom connectors.
• Implement solutions with multiple data sources.
• Re-write and re-engineer custom legacy applications to Power Platform solutions.
• Interpret and participate in the design of database models such as Microsoft Standard Query Language (SQL).
• Integrate Power Business Intelligence (BI) Reports and dashboards into PowerApps.
• Employ Agile project methodologies and processes.
• Produce time and effort estimations of design and development work to support sprint planning.
• Satisfy branch requirements, meet agreed completion dates, and as able perform unit and integration testing, to include design and code reviews.
• Participate in the design of end-to-end solutions that improve collaboration, productivity, and knowledge sharing.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

The selected candidate will support various client projects as well as assist with developing, testing, deploying, and supporting tools in various operating environments at TECOM.

• Knowledge of Power Platform.
• Knowledge of Canvas applications using Power Platform. This includes using Power Apps formulas, and Power Automate for workflows, and the ability to work with multiple data sources, including SharePoint online, and use both custom and out-of-the-box connectors.
• Knowledge of Model Drive applications using Power Platform or Dynamix 365. This includes working with Data Verse, designing forms, business rules, views, managing Security Roles and Field Security, and designing workflows using Power Automate.
• Knowledge of enterprise databases such as SQL Server, designing data models, writing functions and stored procedures, building views, and wiring advanced SQL queries.
• Knowledge of Agile development methods and processes to develop and review software development lifecycle (SDLC) work products and artifacts as well as conducting and participating in design reviews and code reviews.
• A broad understanding of basic computer science, front & back-end technologies, database and cache techniques, containerization, and orchestration.
• Technical proficiency with Python.
• Basic knowledge of web architecture.
• Excellent communications skills - both verbal and written.
• Ability to work well in a dynamic, high tempo team environment.
• Familiarity with Natural Language Processing tools.

The Data Science Internship will enhance the candidate's skills in web development, data engineering, data science, analytics, software engineering, and DevOps. The intern will work with ALEX technical leaders and learn about Continuous Integration/Continuous Development (CI/CD) processes, and will expose the candidate to several key areas, including:

• Design and integration of RESTful APIs.
• Integration of user-facing elements developed by front-end developers with server-side logic.
• Optimizing the performance of applications for full-scale production deployments.
• Model training support and NLP tool development.
• Cloud environments and all the associated areas we work in to develop tools, evaluate them then deploy them into the Cloud.
• Data pipeline creation.
• Support software engineering efforts on the team.
• Support various data storage technologies and data management approaches.
• Participate in cyber protection (Information Assurance) activities.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience with web protocols, Linux/Unix tools, and architecture.
• Experience with databases such as Cassandra, NoSQL, S-3 storage, or PostgreSQL.
• Experience with Django web framework.
• Experience with automation, testing, or framework development.
• Experience with data science toolkits.
• Prior military experience with data collection systems, intel product building, intel analysis, processing, and distribution.
• Knowledge of military organizations, missions and equipment sets.
• Preference will be given to candidates with an active Secret clearance.

Education and Certifications:

• Current University student or recent graduate with a related Bachelor's degree.
• Completion of three (3) or more years of undergraduate study with a major in any Information Technology related field (data science, software engineering, computer science, etc.) or another relevant academic field combined with related job experience.
• Secret Security Clearance (Ability to obtain and maintain a DOD security clearance).
• US Citizenship required.

About Us. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Marshall, VA, ALEX - Alternative Experts, LLC (ALEX) is an ISO 9001:2015-certified Women Owned Small Business that's changing the way government does business by delivering a powerful, industry-leading array of core services to help its clients achieve mission-critical objectives. ALEX provides a variety of benefits designed to help meet the needs of our employees. See a summary of ALEX's Employee Benefits for more information.

ALEX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. Applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the job.

In order to comply with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, we reasonably believe the pay range for this position is between $25 - $30/hour. Multiple factors are taken into account with any offer of employment by ALEX, including experience, education, and skills.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to allow employees to meet the essential functions of the job unless those accommodations cause undue hardships to the employer. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact the Human Resources Department at humanresources@alexinc.com.