Ascension LLC is seeking a highly analytical and independent Data & Research Analyst (Consultant) to support development of a Regional Digital Opportunity Plan for Western Maryland.

This consultant will serve as the lead analytical resource supporting regional digital equity planning, broadband gap identification, asset mapping, and data-driven implementation metrics.

This role is ideal for an experienced professional who operates independently, manages deliverables efficiently, and can translate complex public data into defensible findings and executive-ready visuals.

This engagement supports the Mountain Maryland Digital Coalition’s initiative to conduct a regional needs assessment, asset mapping, stakeholder-informed analysis, and digital opportunity strategy development.

Engagement Summary

The Data & Research Analyst will conduct structured quantitative analysis and mapping activities supporting:

• Regional digital needs assessment
• Broadband access gap identification
• Covered population analysis
• Digital inclusion asset inventory
• County-specific implementation priorities
• KPI and performance metric development

The consultant must be comfortable working with minimal supervision, meeting milestone-based deadlines, and delivering high-quality analytical products within a limited-hour engagement.

Scope of Responsibilities

• Conduct demographic and socioeconomic analysis using U.S. Census and ACS data
• Analyze FCC broadband availability data and related public datasets
• Identify broadband and digital access gaps across rural and underserved populations
• Develop structured digital inclusion asset inventory frameworks
• Compile and validate regional broadband infrastructure and program data
• Produce mapping visuals and geographic exhibits (non-engineering level)
• Develop executive-ready visuals using Excel, Power BI, or Tableau
• Design baseline metrics and measurable KPIs
• Synthesize findings into report-ready planning sections
• Support development of county-specific priority recommendations
• Provide defensible documentation supporting methodology and data sources