Security Data Science Specialist

Metropolitan Transportation Authority; New York (NY); On-site; USD 89,404 - 100,582; Full time

Job summary

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is seeking a Security Data Science Specialist in New York to analyze sensitive security data and identify trends. The role involves coding, data management, and collaborative reporting, ensuring data accuracy and effective communication of findings.

With a requirement for a Bachelor's degree and extensive experience in data gathering and analysis, the successful candidate will support MTA's security operations through innovative data-driven strategies.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret data.
• 3+ years of experience in data analysis and management.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL programming.
• Experience with developing predictive models.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze sensitive data to identify security trends.
• Design and implement quality controls for data accuracy.
• Develop reports and dashboards for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with teams to communicate findings effectively.

Skills

Data management

Statistical analysis

Database design

Programming (Python, SQL)

Business intelligence tools (Power BI, Tableau)

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field

Tools

Excel

Power BI

SQL Server

Job description

Hours of Work

8:00 am - 4:30 pm (7.5 hours/day) or as required.

Job Title

Security Data Science Specialist

Department / Division

Security

Supervisor

Director, Data Info & Analysis

Work Location

2 Broadway, New York, NY 10004

Employment Type

Full Time

Salary Range

$89,404 - $100,582

Deadline

Until filled.

Telework

Eligible for one day per week. New hires may apply after 30 days from hire.

Job Summary

The security data science specialist within MTA HQ's Office of Security will collect and utilize highly sensitive police and security data from all MTA Police and Security operating departments—including incident reports, surveillance footage, threat assessments, and criminal records. This data will be meticulously compiled, validated, and analyzed to identify critical security trends, emerging threats, and operational vulnerabilities, thereby supporting a comprehensive, risk‑based approach to all MTA and Security Operations. The role focuses on data gathering, transformation, synchronization, and modeling. It requires experience in SQL and Python, and supporting the design and deployment of robust data architecture and analytics strategies for diverse datasets and complex analytical challenges. Responsibilities include detailed record‑keeping, advanced data analysis, report preparation, and developing actionable, data‑driven strategies aligned with security, law enforcement, terrorism, and crime prevention initiatives. The position demands a detail‑oriented, proactive approach, the ability to manage priorities under strict deadlines, and excellent communication skills to present findings to both technical and non‑technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Write code that will combine and transform datasets to meet a specific Security & Police need.
• Design and implement quality controls to ensure output data is valid, accurate, and user‑friendly, coordinating with internal and external police and/or security data leads to address data quality problems.
• Enhance the quality and usability of legacy datasets and systems that may be lacking compatibility or common field types.
• Develop reports and dashboards in a variety of formats (Excel, Power BI, Report Builder, ArcGIS, automated emails, etc.) to share finished analysis with stakeholders.
• Lead specific data team projects/recurring tasks such as monitoring, analyzing, synthesizing, and reporting on confidential and sensitive open‑source and police, intelligence, and security information sources to inform the overall MTA security strategy.
• Utilize internal systems, tools, and processes to record and track MTA security incident data to identify trends and patterns, and suggest methods to ensure data integrity and improve data collection, processes, and presentation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and leadership to understand reporting needs and design outputs to achieve them; produce final designs and workflows in consultation with senior managers; outline project requirements and problems as action plans for junior team members; ensure project process and outputs are properly documented for continuity and presentation to Senior Security Management.
• Provide support and instruction (both business knowledge and coding practices) to analysts and consultant staff.
• Keep skills current by learning new algorithms, programming languages, and techniques.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency in data management, including statistics, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, empirical research methods, and advanced analytical skills.
• Experience developing and analyzing algorithms, dashboards, and/or predictive models to support security and policing functions and investigative methodologies.
• Proven ability to manage team‑based projects, completing both short‑term and long‑term initiatives efficiently and effectively; experience documenting processes and quality checks.
• Strong skills in database design and management with the ability to read code and interpret data.
• Proficiency with data processing, statistical software, and business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau), and advanced Excel analysis.
• Experience supervising staff performing analytical duties.
• Familiarity with transportation systems and planning theory & practice, particularly the MTA subway, bus, and railroad networks.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in fields such as Security, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Mathematics, Psychology, Sociology, Public Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Information Management, Statistics, Data Science, Data Engineering, Public Policy, or a related field from an accredited college; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in data, information, and analysis or performing statistical analysis and research, developing recommendations, implementing strategies, and preparing reports with similar programming and data management content; a master’s degree may substitute for one year of experience.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience building datasets, automating tasks through scripts, writing database queries, and debugging/maintaining code.
• Minimum 4 years of experience with Python and SQL programming.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with relational databases (e.g., Oracle, Postgres, SQL Server), including writing queries (generally with PL/SQL).
• A valid driver's license is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related disciplines; a Master’s degree can account for one year of related experience.
• Demonstrated experience meeting report filing deadlines for executive‑level analysis reports with recommendations, strategy implementations, and statistical findings; strong interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills.
• Working knowledge of project management principles and/or data analysis, predictive analytics, and their application.
• Understanding of Federal, State, and NYC security and penal regulations and laws.
• Familiarity with MTA policies and procedures, collective bargaining procedures, and data exploration/data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, Web Focus, etc.
• Familiarity with GIS mapping of data or equivalent geospatial application.

Other Information

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends). Travel may be required to other MTA locations or external sites.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities. The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.