Data Insights Intern

Salary: $16.19 Hourly
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: Temporary - Part-Time
Job Number: 190242
Agency: First Steps
Division: SC First Steps
Opening Date: 07/06/2026
Closing Date: 7/26/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: All applicants must apply online.
Class Code:: UZ01
Position Number:: 60000000
Normal Work Schedule:: Other
Normal Work Schedule (Other):: Work hours will vary.
Pay Grade: Unclassified
Hiring Range - Min.: $16.19
Hiring Range - Max.: $16.19
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities
The Responsibilities of the Data Insights Intern
A cover letter and resume are required by the agency to be considered for this position.
Reporting to the First Steps Data Insights Coordinator, the Data Insights Intern provides essential administrative and technical support to the First Steps Research and Evaluation team. This role focuses primarily on the foundational stages of data management: identifying and gathering relevant datasets, analyzing feedback from internal staff surveys, and creating graphs and charts for internal and external use. Additionally, following the implementation of the agency's new data system, the intern will assist the Data Insights Coordinator by building clean and easy-to-understand Power BI templates for both dynamic and static reports.
The employee should possess strong foundational knowledge or academic experience with data visualization tools like Power BI. Experience using Cognito Forms, or another data collection/survey platform is preferred. Solid understanding of spreadsheet modeling (e.g. Microsoft Excel) and reporting tools (e,g, Microsoft PowerPoint or Canva). Ability to present data cleanly and clearly, and experience creating data reports for internal and external audiences. Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented with basic familiarity with data modeling and understand best practices for creating clear, user-friendly data visualizations. Reporting to the Data Insights Coordinator, receives general supervision and direction and manages daily workflow independently.

• Identify and extract relevant information from public datasets, including the American Community Survey, and internal agency databases to support ongoing reporting needs. Consolidate data into structured, well-organized spreadsheets, ensuring data accuracy and readiness for analysis. Work closely with the Data Insights Coordinator to routinely refresh and maintain datasets utilized by executive leadership. Support the Local Partnership and 4K teams with data imports and exports.
• Construct clear, user-friendly internal surveys to gather staff feedback on agency events, training sessions, and/or operational needs, requesting and incorporating feedback from necessary stakeholders. Tabulate survey results, identify key takeaways or common themes in feedback, and summarize findings. Organize short-answer responses into clean, digestible formats so agency leadership can easily review responses and understand themes.
• Assist the Data Insights Coordinator in developing dynamic dashboards and data queries for the agency's new data system. Provide support with basic data reports and building Power BI templates for future use. Create DAX codes for cleaning and reformatting data in the new data system to ensure up-to-date reporting. Trouble shoots any issues regarding the maintenance of previously published dashboards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• Current enrollment in or completion of a graduate-level program in Data Analytics, Statistics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or a related field. Successful completion of graduate-level coursework in data analysis, data visualization, or program evaluation.

Additional Requirements:

• Position requires non- essential declaration.

Additional Comments
SC First Steps is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

SC First Steps offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

1. Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children. Click for additional information.
2. 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
3. 15 days sick leave per year
4. 13 paid holidays
5. Paid Parental Leave
6. S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
7. Retirement benefit choices*
   1. State Retirement Plan
   2. State Optional Retirement Program

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted or reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

• Yes
• No

02

I understand that a resume or curriculum vitae, and a cover letter are required by the agency to be considered for this position. By selecting "yes" I am confirming that I have attached all of the required documents to this application.

• Yes
• No

03

Are you currently enrolled in or completing a graduate-level program in Data Analytics, Statistics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or a related field. Successful completion of graduate-level coursework in data analysis, data visualization, or program evaluation?

• Yes
• No

04

Please briefly describe your experience as it relates to this position.
05

How did you hear about this position?

• SC State Jobs Website - jobs.sc.gov
• Indeed.com
• LinkedIn.com
• A current employee
• A former employee
• Other (please specify below)

06

If you answered "other" to the question above, please specify where you heard about this position below.
Required Question