Entry Level Transportation Safety Analyst

VHB; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

VHB seeks a Data Scientist (Transportation Safety) to join our Metro DC or North Carolina offices. You will support data-driven transportation safety, planning, and research projects for state DOTs, federal agencies, and local governments, handling large datasets, performing statistical analyses, developing visualizations, and documenting methods and results.

The ideal candidate is passionate about transportation safety, statistical modeling, data science, and emerging analytical methods, with

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in statistical modeling and quantitative methods.
• Experience applying quantitative methods to real-world problems.
• Experience with Python, R, SQL, Tableau or Power BI.

Responsibilities

• Mine and analyze structured and unstructured data to identify patterns, trends, and risk factors.
• Apply statistical and machine-learning methods to transportation safety and planning problems.
• Evaluate model fit and predictive performance and assess uncertainty and bias using validation techniques.
• Identify and recommend new data sources and opportunities to collect or integrate data.
• Extract data from databases, APIs, spreadsheets, text files, and other systems; clean and link data.
• Use Python, R, SQL to automate data prep, analysis, model execution, and reporting.
• Apply safety methods like crash prediction, SSPF development, before-and-after evaluation, and risk scoring.
• Prepare and distribute analytical findings; communicate results with visuals, reports, and presentations.
• Work with managers and senior data scientists to receive guidance on methods and interpretation.
• Participate in professional development activities aligned with goals.
• Perform all tasks in compliance with regulations and VHB policies.

Skills

Statistical modeling

Quantitative methods

Machine learning

Data mining

Simulation

Advanced mathematics

Tools

Python

R

SQL

Tableau

Power BI

Excel

Job description

ABOUT THE POSITION

Together, we work to improve mobility, enhance communities and economic vitality, and balance development and infrastructure needs with environmental stewardship. The right candidate would be joining a tight-knit team of transportation planners and traffic safety engineers who value technical excellence, career development, pride in our work, a collaborative team environment, and a passion for finding the right solutions that enhance mobility and safety.

Overview

ABOUT THE POSITION

Together, we work to improve mobility, enhance communities and economic vitality, and balance development and infrastructure needs with environmental stewardship. The right candidate would be joining a tight-knit team of transportation planners and traffic safety engineers who value technical excellence, career development, pride in our work, a collaborative team environment, and a passion for finding the right solutions that enhance mobility and safety.

At VHB, we're invested in what we do, compelled by intellectual curiosity, and driven to work collectively to best serve our clients and help shape the future of our communities in a meaningful way. We're proud, yet humbled, to have been doing this for over 40 years. We are dedicated to making a positive impact and providing opportunities to grow personally and professionally.

This position is for a Data Scientist (Transportation Safety) to join our team in VHB's Metro DC or North Carolina offices. The selected candidate will support a wide range of data-driven transportation safety, planning, and research projects for the state departments of transportation, federal agencies, and local governments. The position will involve working with large datasets, conducting statistical analysis, developing visualizations, and supporting research and technical documentation. The ideal candidate is interested in transportation safety, statistical modeling, data science, and emerging analytical methods. This position provides an opportunity to work on real-world projects involving roadway safety analysis, vulnerable road user analysis, systemic safety screening, behavioral analysis, and data visualization.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work for VHB in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Mine and analyze structured and unstructured data, including crash records, roadway inventories, demographic data, surveys, and geospatial datasets, to identify patterns, trends, and risk factors.
• Apply statistical and machine-learning methods, including regression, classification, clustering, and forecasting, to transportation safety and planning problems.
• Evaluate model fit and predictive performance and assess uncertainty, sensitivity, potential bias, and limitations using appropriate validation techniques. Document methods, assumptions, and results to support review and reproducibility.
• Identify and recommend new applications for existing data sources and opportunities to collect or integrate additional data.
• Extract data from databases, application programming interfaces, spreadsheets, text files, and other systems. Clean, link, transform, and quality-check data from multiple sources.
• Use Python, R, SQL, and related tools to automate data preparation, analysis, model execution, validation, and reporting. Develop reusable code and maintain clear technical documentation.
• Apply transportation safety methods, including crash prediction, Safety Performance Function development, before-and-after evaluation, systemic safety screening, risk scoring, and prioritization.
• Prepare and distribute analytical findings. Communicate methods, results, and practical implications to project teams, clients, management, and other technical and nontechnical audiences through effective visualizations, reports, and presentations.
• Work closely with the manager and more experienced data scientists to receive direction and guidance throughout projects, including guidance on analytical methods, missing data, model selection, and interpretation of results.
• Participate in professional development activities aligned with career goals and project needs.
• Perform all job functions in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and VHB policies and procedures.

Skills And Attributes

• Fundamental knowledge of statistical modeling, quantitative methods, machine learning, data mining, simulation, and advanced mathematics.
• Experience applying quantitative methods to real-world problems through academic research, internships, or professional work.
• Experience using many of the following technologies: Python (Pandas, NumPy, SciPy), R (tidyverse), SQL, Tableau, Power BI, advanced Microsoft Excel, machine learning, statistical analysis.
• Ability to identify information needs, conduct research, and evaluate the quality and suitability of data sources.
• Excellent intrinsic problem-solving, analytical, and mathematical skills.
• Ability to work effectively in ambiguous and technically challenging environments.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.