Program Lead, Data Systems & Counts Management

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 98,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

City of New York’s NYC DOT is seeking a Program Lead for Data Systems & Counts Management to supervise a small team and transform data collection into a strategic, data‑driven function. You will oversee the counts platform, pipelines, dashboards, and data quality, enabling citywide mobility analysis.

You will work under general supervision, mentoring staff and coordinating with contracts and third‑party data providers to advance transportation planning capabilities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in physical, biological, environmental science or public health (Assignment Level I).
• Doctorate or Master’s degree with supervisory/ research experience required for higher levels; two+ years experience may substitute.
• Strong background in data systems, data governance, and analytics preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data professionals, providing direction, performance management, and growth opportunities.
• Oversee counts platforms and systems; plan, monitor, and manage data collection, metrics, quality control, automation, and dashboards.
• Manage data contracts and monitor contractor performance, costs, deliverables, and data quality.
• Oversee third‑party mobility data acquisition and usage, supporting data validation, training, and enhanced planning capabilities.

Skills

Python & SQL

GIS analysis

Team leadership

Contract management

Data governance

Transportation data

Education

Master’s degree in physical/biological/environmental science or public health

Job description

NYC DOT is seeking a Program Lead for Data Systems & Counts Management. The ideal candidate is a highly organized, motivated professional with strong technical, analytical, and management skills ready to build innovative data systems and optimize core organizational processes.

Supporting the agency’s goal of ensuring the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods across NYC, the incumbent will report to the Deputy Director of Data Systems and Analytics on the Regional & Long-Term Planning (R

Role

The Program Lead will supervise a team of 2–4 data professionals. In this role, the Program Lead will oversee NYC DOT’s multimodal Counts Management Program and lead the agency’s transition from a largely project-based approach to data collection toward a more systematic, strategic, and data-driven approach that supports citywide mobility analysis and modeling. Working under general supervision with latitude for independent judgment, the lead will:

• Lead and Mentor: Manage a team of data professionals, providing direction, performance management, and opportunities for professional growth, including coordinating technical exchange forums for relevant staff.
• Oversee Platforms & Systems: Manage the agency’s counts platform and develop the processes and systems needed to strategically plan, monitor, and manage data collection, including performance metrics, quality control, automation, Python-based data workflows and pipelines, and dashboards that make counts data accessible and actionable.
• Manage Contracts: Assist with operational and technical oversight of data collection contracts and recurring count programs, monitoring contractor performance, costs, deployment, deliverables, and data quality.
• Manage Third-Party Mobility Data: Oversee the acquisition and use of third-party mobility data, serving as an agency-wide technical resource to support data validation, user training, and enhanced transportation planning capabilities.

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

Minimum Qualifications

• 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:

• 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
• 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
• 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

• Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in designing, maintaining, and automating data pipelines using Python and SQL, with a strong capacity and willingness to learn GIS software for spatial analysis. 2. Team Leadership & Organization: Demonstrated experience or strong interest in team leadership (supervising and mentoring technical staff) paired with excellent organizational skills to manage complex programs and exercise independent judgment. 3. Contract & Project Management: Experience or interest in contract management, including tracking contractor performance, costs, deliverables, and quality control, alongside experience coordinating projects involving transportation or mobility datasets. 4. Data Strategy & Governance: Familiarity with transportation data sources, mobility metrics, and third-party data, with experience developing data governance frameworks, internal documentation standards, or open data initiatives. 5. Communication: Proven ability to communicate complex technical data concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders and support data-driven planning and analysis efforts.

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.

, $98,159.00 – $128,995.00