Data Governance Specialist

Job Summary

The Data Governance Specialist supports the MBTA's Data Resource Group by coordinating enterprise-wide data cataloging, master data management, data quality, and data governance initiatives. This role manages the contextual data infrastructure needed to deliver accurate, trusted, and accessible data, overseeing cataloged data assets and scalable processes that improve data ingestion and usability across the organization. Working within the Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC), the Specialist helps design, implement, and maintain governance policies, standards, and frameworks that ensure data quality, integrity, and security. The position collaborates with data stewards, architects, and analytics teams to drive consistent data definitions, lineage, and catalog adoption, and monitors compliance, identifies improvement opportunities, and provides guidance on data-related issues to enable timely, data-driven decision-making across the MBTA.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Data Governance Specialist is responsible for:

• Data Catalog and Metadata Management:
• Configure and maintain the Data Catalog to automate metadata harvesting and data lineage tracking.
• Increase adoption of governed and cataloged data assets by business users.
• Collaborate with business units to define and manage metadata standards.
• Ensure data assets are well-documented, searchable, and accessible for analytics and business users.
• Data Governance and Stewardship Enablement:
• Support Cloud Data Governance and Catalog (CDGC) to operationalize governance frameworks.
• Coordinate with data owners and stewards to ensure role clarity, stewardship workflows, and data certification processes.
• Monitor governance KPIs and create dashboards/reports on governance adoption.
• Data Quality Management:
• Develop measurable data quality metrics across key departments.
• Define, customize and configure Informatica Data Quality rules and institute consistent monitoring processes.
• Partner with business data owners and stewards to define data quality dimensions, thresholds, and remediation workflows.
• Provide insights and alerts for inconsistent data, data anomalies and integrity issues.
• Master Data Management:
• Assist in configuring and maintaining Informatica MDM for key divisions and departments (Operations, Administration, Safety and Capital data assets).
• Create a single, reliable "master" record for core business entities.
• Reduce duplication and inconsistencies through effective MDM practices.
• Ensure MDM integration with downstream operational systems, BI systems and analytics.
• Collaboration and Evangelism:
• Act as the bridge between Technology, Analytics teams, and business data owners and stewards to promote trusted data usage.
• Provide training and guidance to data owners, stewards, and analysts on leveraging Informatica tools.
• Champion adoption of data governance, metadata, and quality practices across the MBTA.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

The Data Governance Specialist must have:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Computer Science, Information Management, Business Analytics, or related field.
• Two (2) years of experience with Informatica Data Catalog, Data Quality, Data Governance, Metadata Management, Master Data Management (MDM), and Data Marketplace.
• Two (2) years of experience in data governance, data management, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of metadata management, data quality, governance, and master data concepts.
• Experience working with data stewards, data owners, and cross-functional teams to operationalize governance frameworks.
• Familiarity with relational databases, cloud data platforms (AWS, Azure, or Snowflake), and API integration.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to translate technical capabilities into business value.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve data governance issues.
• Knowledge of data management technologies and tools.

Preferred Experience & Skills

The Data Governance Specialist should also have:

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in Computer Science, Information Management, Business Analytics, or related field.
• Three (3) years of experience with Informatica Data Catalog, Data Quality, Data Governance, Metadata Management, Master Data Management (MDM), and Data Marketplace.
• Five (5) years of experience in data governance, data management, or a related field.
• Informatica certifications (IDMC Data Governance, Data Quality, MDM, or Catalog).
• Experience in public sector, transportation, healthcare, or regulated industries.
• Familiarity with Tableau, Power BI, or other Business Intelligence platforms.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Data Management Professional, Certified Data Governance Professional).

Job Conditions

The Data Governance Specialist must:

• Be able to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Be able to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Be able to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Be able to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Be able to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Be able to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Be able to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Be able to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Employment Benefits at the MBTA

The MBTA offers comprehensive benefits packages. Types of benefits offered at the MBTA are subject to the union affiliation / Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of the position to which you apply. Benefits that may apply to your position include the following:

• Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, Life (basic and supplemental), and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Vacation, Personal Days, Sick Leave, and Holidays
• Retirement: Pension or deferred compensation 401(a), plus MBTA contributions
• Complimentary pass for travel on the MBTA transit system (bus, train, ferry, and Commuter Rail)
• Tuition Reimbursement (up to $10,000 per year)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for student loans
• Commuter Choice Parking Program: Pre-tax benefits for parking
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Pre-tax benefits for healthcare-related expenses
• Discounted tickets for concerts, movies, travel /