Program Data Scientist

New York City Department of Transportation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

New York City Department of Transportation is seeking a Program Data Scientist to design and lead the analytics behind the Division of Traffic Operations' capital signal program. You will build data systems, pipelines, and analyses to keep hundreds of projects visible, understandable, and actionable for decision-makers.

Fluent in Python and GIS, you will shape analytics from an applied research footing, defining what to measure and how to present results to executives and technical staff alike.

Qualifications

• Strong proficiency in Python for data analysis, pipeline building, and automation.
• Experience with GIS tools and spatial analysis (ArcGIS, QGIS, geospatial Python libraries).
• Experience designing analyses or data systems for tracking capital projects, infrastructure, or other complex operational programs.
• Ability to communicate analytical findings clearly to non-technical and executive audiences.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop analytical systems that track a large portfolio of signal projects across stages of work, contracts, and contractors.
• Build and maintain data pipelines and analytical tools that ingest, clean, and join project, contract, and asset data.
• Apply GIS methods to analyze and map the program's distributed infrastructure and delivery data.
• Develop metrics and analyses to reveal project movement, bottlenecks, and risks to keep the program on pace.

Skills

Python

GIS

Data pipelines

Data visualization

Education

Master's degree

PhD preferred

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

Python libraries

Job description

The Program Data Scientist designs and leads the analytics behind the Division of Traffic Operations' traffic signal capital program building the data systems, methods, and analyses that make a large, fast-moving portfolio of projects visible, understandable, and actionable. Working as a peer to the program's delivery manager, this role turns project, contract, and asset data into the insight that keeps signal infrastructure moving from design completion to final acceptance and keeps the streets that depend on it working. The Program Data Scientist will support the NYC Streets Plan by turning project and contract data into actionable insight that ensures signal installations advance transit priority corridors, Better Buses projects, and other transit supportive street improvements.

This is an applied research role with wide latitude to define the analytical approach: what to measure across hundreds of concurrent projects and multiple contractors, how to structure the data, and how to present it so decision-makers can act quickly. The strongest candidates are fluent in Python and GIS, rigorous about data quality, and able to translate complex analysis for non-technical audiences. As the program's first dedicated analyst, you'll shape from the ground up how data serves the delivery of public infrastructure.

About NYC DOT and the Division of Traffic Operations

NYC DOT works to support the safe, equitable, and sustainable movement of people and goods across New York City. Within NYC DOT, the Division of Traffic Operations delivers and sustains the systems that help New Yorkers and visitors move safely and efficiently every day.

Traffic Operations manages the infrastructure that keeps New York City's streets working including more than 350,000 streetlights, approximately 14,000 signalized intersections, roughly 90,000 on-street parking spaces, over 4,000 automated enforcement cameras, and a state-of-the-art Traffic Management Center. The division plans, builds, operates, and maintains the traffic signals that millions of New Yorkers depend on every day.

Transit Development (TD) is responsible for developing public transit-supportive street infrastructure and policies in order to improve mobility for all New Yorkers. The unit manages the bus-related components of the NYC Streets Plan, including the Better Buses and transit policy initiatives, and develops location-specific projects to help the quality and safety of bus operations and to improve pedestrian access to transit. TD also serves as a resource to the agency on public transit-related matters, including acting as one of the key points of contact with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

Responsibilities

• Design and develop analytical systems that track a large portfolio of signal projects simultaneously across stages of work, contracts, and contractors so the full program is visible in one place and every project stays accounted for.
• Build and maintain data pipelines and analytical tools that ingest, clean, and join project, contract, and asset data from across the division.
• Apply GIS methods to analyze and map the program's geographically distributed infrastructure, connecting delivery data to the intersections New Yorkers move through every day.
• Develop the metrics and analyses that reveal how projects move through delivery surfacing trends, bottlenecks, and risks early enough to keep the program on pace.
• Evaluate data quality and analytical methods across the program, and coordinate with units across the division to improve how delivery data is captured and used.
• Present findings and recommendations to division leadership, translating complex analysis into clear direction for a program that reaches every corner of the city.

Division: Traffic Operations

Unit: Finance, Contracts and Innovation Unit

Location: 34-02 Queens Blvd. LIC, NY 11101

Hours and Shift: 35 HRS/Mon-Fri/9am-5pm

Preferred Skills

• Strong proficiency in Python for data analysis, pipeline building, and automation.
• Experience with GIS tools and spatial analysis (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, geospatial Python libraries).
• Experience designing analyses or data systems for tracking capital projects, infrastructure, or other complex operational programs.
• Ability to communicate analytical findings clearly to non-technical and executive audiences.

We recognize that strong candidates may come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. If this position interests you and you meet many but not all of the criteria, we encourage you to apply.

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

• Strong proficiency in Python for data analysis, pipeline building, and automation.
• Experience with GIS tools and spatial analysis (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, geospatial Python libraries).
• Experience designing analyses or data systems for tracking capital projects, infrastructure, or other complex operational programs.
• Ability to communicate analytical findings clearly to non-technical and executive audiences.

We recognize that strong candidates may come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. If this position interests you and you meet many but not all of the criteria, we encourage you to apply.

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.