Technologist

CONSUMER AND WORKER PROTECTION; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) seeks a City Research Scientist to advance enforcement through data analysis, automation, and research. The role collaborates with investigators and attorneys to gather data, develop tools, and interpret complex regulations.

The successful candidate will contribute to evaluating compliance, calculating damages, and guiding tech policy in a dynamic city agency environment.

Qualifications

• Advanced use of programming, scripting, and statistical languages (Python, R, Stata), relational databases (advanced SQL queries), and automation engineering.
• Interpretation of source code and technical docs to understand IT product development and usage in modern business contexts.
• Strong analytical ability to map legal/regulatory concepts to data structures and processes, and to tailor analyses to cases.
• Strategic thinking to adapt analytic approaches to case needs and to ensure reproducibility of findings.
• Experience handling multiple assignments with tight deadlines requiring accuracy and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Identify data and documentation needed to evaluate compliance with NYC worker and consumer protection laws.
• Collaborate with investigators and attorneys to provide data-driven insights for investigations and litigation.
• Develop data analysis tools to describe business practices, identify key witnesses, and quantify damages.
• Assess how DCWP uses data and technologies in investigations and recommend improvements.
• Advise leadership on technology regulation and policy areas related to IT in business.
• Conduct research and draft reports on emerging technologies and implications for protection.
• Develop tools, guidance, and training to aid investigators in gathering evidence.

Skills

Python

R

Stata

SQL

Automation engineering

Education

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

Doctorate in physical, biological, environmental or social science with relevant experience

Tools

Relational databases

SQL queries

Job description

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCWP licenses nearly 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCWP also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City’s communities. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The Research and Analytics Division("RAD") performs economic analysis in support of the agency’s policy work, produces public-facing research products, provides data science and technologist support in investigations, analyzes agency operations, and fulfills all agency external reporting functions. RAD is seeking a Technologist to play a key role in the enforcement of DCWP’s consumer and worker protection laws. The Technologist will work closely with DCWP investigators and attorneys to develop and implement strategies for the discovery, collection, and analysis of business data and technical documentation relating to compliance with city worker and consumer protection laws. The Technologist will help collect and use this information to identify violations, assess the validity of claims by businesses, workers, and consumers, calculate relief and civil penalties, and guide investigators and attorneys in the collection of testimonial evidence and other documentation. The Technologist will also design and implement automated systems to standardize data collection and analysis, and advise the agency on technology regulation. DCWP has built a reputation as a leader in the use of research and analytics within its field, and the successful applicant will be joining a growing team of data scientists, technologists, researchers, and economists to further develop this aspect of the agency’s work.

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

• Advanced use of programming, scripting, and statistical languages (e.g., Python, R, Stata), relational databases (e.g., advanced SQL queries), and automation engineering
• Ability to interpret source code and technical documentation concerning information technology products, and provide insight into how information technology is developed and used within modern businesses.
• Excellent analytic thinking skills, especially the ability to map between legal and regulatory concepts and corresponding data structures and processes
• Excellent strategic thinking skills, especially the ability to tailor analytic approaches to the needs of specific cases
• Comfort with sampling methodologies, extrapolation, and statistical inference
• High level of organization, including ability to ensure findings are reproducible and analytical choices are transparent and well-supported
• Experience handling multiple assignments with competing deadlines, where each requires a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent writing, reading comprehension, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to occasionally work flexible hours, including nights and weekends and
• Multilingual a plus.

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.

Responsibilities

• Working with investigators and attorneys to identify the data and technical documentation necessary to evaluate compliance with NYC worker and consumer protection laws;
• Communicating with businesses’ counsel and technical staff to ensure delivery of responsive data and documentation;
• Developing and using appropriate data analysis tools to describe business practices, identify key witnesses, and calculate damages;
• Assessing how DCWP uses data and insight into business technologies in its investigations and litigation and recommending and implementing improvements;
• Advising agency leadership in technology regulation, and on other policy areas where expertise in business use of information technology is relevant;
• Conducting research and drafting reports on emerging technologies and their implications for consumer and worker protection; and
• Developing technological tools, guidance, and training, to assist investigators and attorneys in gathering documentary and testimonial evidence from consumers and workers.