AI Specialist VBP

Zel Technologies LLC; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

401(k) immediate vesting with company match

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Savings Account with company contributions

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Bonuses for performance

Voluntary life/accidental death & dismemberment

Educational assistance and special training programs

Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holiday Leave

Health and fitness reimbursement

Employee discounts on various services and products

Job summary

Zel Technologies LLC is seeking an AI Specialist located in Virginia Beach to enhance municipal operations through innovative AI solutions. The ideal candidate will design, develop, and deploy AI applications while ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines.

This role requires strong technical expertise and collaboration with various city departments to identify operational needs and translate them into effective AI solutions. The position offers comprehensive benefits including medical insurance, 401(k), and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Must be a US citizen.
• 2–5+ years of experience in AI/ML development, data science, or advanced analytics.
• Experience with data modeling, feature engineering, and model evaluation techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy AI models, tools, and applications that support city operations.
• Analyze datasets to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for AI‑enabled improvements.
• Monitor AI systems in production, retrain models as needed, and maintain documentation for transparency and auditability.

Skills

Python

SQL

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Scikit Learn

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Engineering or related field

4+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree

Tools

Cloud-based AI services (Azure AI, AWS AI, Google Cloud AI)

Job description

Job Summary

The City of Virginia Beach is seeking a skilled and forward-thinking AI Specialist to support the development, deployment, and maintenance of artificial intelligence solutions that enhance municipal operations and public service delivery. This role focuses on applying AI technologies—such as machine learning, natural language processing, predictive analytics, and intelligent automation—to solve operational challenges, improve efficiency, and support data‑driven decision making across city departments. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with a commitment to ethical, transparent, and responsible AI use in the public sector.

Responsibilities

AI Solution Development & Implementation

• Design, develop, and deploy AI models, tools, and applications that support city operations.
• Build machine learning pipelines, NLP models, and predictive analytics solutions using structured and unstructured data.
• Support the integration of AI capabilities into existing enterprise systems, workflows, and cloud platforms.
• Conduct model testing, validation, and performance tuning to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Data Analysis & Feature Engineering

• Analyze datasets to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for AI‑enabled improvements.
• Prepare, clean, and transform data for model training and evaluation.
• Collaborate with data owners to ensure data quality, accessibility, and compliance with city policies.

AI Operations & Support

• Monitor AI systems in production, retrain models as needed, and maintain documentation for transparency and auditability.
• Troubleshoot AI‑related issues and coordinate resolution with IT teams and vendors.
• Provide technical support and training to staff using AI tools and applications.

Responsible AI, Governance & Collaboration

• Ensure all AI solutions comply with city policies, cybersecurity standards, and ethical guidelines.
• Support responsible AI practices, including fairness, transparency, explainability, and human oversight.
• Collaborate with city departments to identify use cases, gather requirements, and translate operational needs into AI solutions.
• Participate in cross‑departmental AI initiatives, innovation projects, and modernization efforts.

Requirements

• Must be a US citizen.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field; OR 4 or more years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• 2–5+ years of experience in AI/ML development, data science, or advanced analytics.
• Proficiency with Python, SQL, and AI/ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit learn).
• Experience with data modeling, feature engineering, and model evaluation techniques.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Familiarity with responsible AI principles and data governance practices.
• Successful background and drug screening check.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience working in local government, public sector IT, or civic tech environments.
• Knowledge of municipal operations, public service workflows, or government data systems.
• Experience with cloud‑based AI services (Azure AI, AWS AI, Google Cloud AI).
• Familiarity with workflow automation, RPA tools, or AI‑enabled service platforms.
• Certifications in AI/ML, data engineering, cloud technologies, or analytics.

Core Competencies

• Analytical and Critical Thinking
• Technical Problem Solving
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement
• Communication & Collaboration
• Ethical and Responsible AI Awareness
• Public Service Orientation & Accountability

Physical Demands or Work Environment

• The majority of the time is spent in an office setting.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) immediate vesting with company match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account with company contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bonuses for performance
• Voluntary life/accidental death & dismemberment
• Educational assistance and special training programs
• Voluntary benefits (accidental, critical illness, whole life)
• Group life insurance (Company paid)
• Short‑term and Long‑term Disability Insurance (Company paid)
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Holiday Leave, Jury Duty, and Military Leave
• Health and fitness reimbursement
• Referral bonuses
• Employee discounts on various services and products

Equal Opportunities

ZelTech is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, military status, genetic predisposition, or any other basis protected by law.