Data Scientist, RIS

New York City Department of Transportation; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Department of Transportation seeks a Data Scientist to join the DOSA team within RIS. You will develop data management systems, produce data products for operational units, and inform policy for Vision Zero and the Bus Action Plan.

Reporting to the Director, you will plan and perform research, build predictive models, and deliver analyses for senior staff and non-technical audiences.

Qualifications

• Advanced analytic skills with large datasets
• Experience building data products for operational units
• Strong written and oral communication for diverse audiences

Responsibilities

• Plan and perform research/analysis for transportation safety and policy
• Provide analyses and data products for Vision Zero and Bus Priority policy
• Collaborate with staff and present outputs to technical and non-technical audiences
• Develop predictive models and support data-driven decision-making across the agency

Skills

Planning & policy

SQL

GIS

Python

Data visualization

Geospatial research

Education

Master's degree in physical, biological, environmental science or public health

Doctorate in physical, biological, environmental or social science

Job description

The Transportation Planning and Management Division (TPM) is responsible for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods on the City's streets, supporting the larger goals of economic and social vitality for people living, working, and doing business in New York City. The Division's responsibilities include planning, street design, technical analysis, signs, transit development, freight mobility and markings, ensuring the safety of motor vehicle occupants, pedestrians, and cyclists. The Research, Implementation, and Safety unit (RIS) is a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to making the streets of New York City safer for all users as part of Vision Zero, a citywide policy striving to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities from traffic crashes.

NYC DOT seeks to hire a Data Scientist to join the Data Operations, Systems, and Analytics (DOSA) team within RIS. The team is made up of data specialists that ensure accuracy and efficiency for data analytics, data products, and insights that the agency relies on to accomplish its data-driven mission. The successful candidate will develop data management systems, produce data products for operational units, analyze data and help develop research studies to inform policy for the City's Vision Zero initiative and the Bus Action Plan.

Reporting to the Director of Data Operations, Systems, and Analytics, the Data Scientist will be responsible for tasks including, but not limited to:

Data Analytics and Research

• Planning and performing research and analysis studies related to transportation safety efforts that will inform current and future policy, planning, and programs.
• Providing analysis and data products for senior staff to inform Vision Zero and Bus Priority policy, planning, and implementation.
• Collaborate with and supervise other staff in conducting research and presenting data outputs to technical and non-technical audiences.

Data Management and Analysis

• Conducting data mining and analysis exercises and maintaining vital databases.
• Build predictive machine learning models
• Performing ad-hoc data analysis
• Contributing to ongoing data analysis efforts for tracking, prioritizing, and evaluating agency initiatives
• Developing new data products to address evolving operational needs and support data-driven decision-making across the agency
• Support NYCDOT with evolving data management and analysis needs related to the Bus Action Plan

The Department of Transportation's (DOT) mission is to provide for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods in the City of New York and to maintain and enhance the transportation infrastructure crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life of our primary customers, City residents.

Preferred Skills

• The preferred candidate is well-organized and self-directed with excellent analytical and communication skills. The candidate should have:
• A background or demonstrable interest in planning and policy to advance safer, sustainable urban development.
• Demonstrated expertise in conducting research/investigations on specific problems by manipulating large datasets with the use of SQL, GIS, and Python and/or other languages.
• Demonstrated experience and interest in advancing technical knowledge base in order to elevate research approach.
• Experience in creating well-crafted analyses and visualizations.
• Proven track record of conducting quantitative and/or geospatial research.

Work Location: 55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041

Hours/Shift: 35 hours / 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

This position may be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program agreed to between the City and DC37.

For more information about DOT, visit us at: www.nyc.gov/dot.

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

Minimum Qualifications

1. For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health. To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have: 1. A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or 2. A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or 3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.

NOTE:

Probationary Period Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

Preferred Skills

The preferred candidate is well organized and self-directed with excellent analytical and communication skills. The candidate should have: A background or demonstrable interest in planning and policy to advance safer, sustainable urban development. Demonstrated expertise in conducting research/investigations on specific problems by manipulating large datasets with the use of SQL, GIS, and Python and/or other languages. Demonstrated experience and interest in advancing technical knowledge base in order to elevate research approach. Experience in creating well-crafted analyses and visualizations. Proven track record of conducting quantitative and/or geospatial research.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.