Data Analyst, Routing and Scheduling

DIVISION: BPS Operations

OFFICE: Transportation Department

TEAM: Data & Strategy

ACADEMIC/NON-ACADEMIC: NON-ACADEMIC

REPORTS TO: Assistant Director of Data Management

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Boston Public Schools Office of Transportation is one of the largest departments in the district overseeing a nearly $200M annual budget (12% of total spending). The Transportation office provides over 600 buses that transport nearly 20000 students across the district as well as local parochial private and charter schools. This is one of the largest and most complex school bus transportation systems in the country. The Data Analyst for Routing and Scheduling works within the BPSDOT Data Team providing technology system management fleet schedule assembly and management and reporting and data analysis to support overall effective and efficient routing and fleet scheduling.

Responsibilities :

Technology System Management:

• Maintain technology systems related to routing (e.g. Zum Geotab) and adapt these systems to shifting business needs
• Serve as primary liaison with vendors to ensure BPS DOT is:
• Using the most appropriate version of software
• Utilizing the software to its fullest potential
• Up to date on training all necessary staff
• Serve as liaison between the BPS routing team BPS Technology and transportation contractors
• Develop and run queries to perform data extractions needed by teams in the department from various data sources including the routing system as well as the districts student information system.
• Manage data in all software systems related to routing and ensure data is properly synced with external data sources.
• Implement data auditing strategies and processes to ensure data integrity

Fleet schedule assembly and management

• Create and maintain fleet schedule that balances performance and efficiency
• Assist with optimization and troubleshooting of routes

Reporting and data analysis

• Gather and translate user requirements into technical specifications
• Develop and generate reports and dashboards for various stakeholders such as BPSDOT staff the Executive Director of Transportation COO Superintendent and Mayors Office
• Perform complex analyses on routing data to improve efficiency and bus performance
• Collaboration with operational department managers (e.g. Operations Customer Service Monitors Unit)
• Understand operational complexities as they relate to routing and incorporate into data flows and checks
• Support training of other departmental staff on how to use routing and fleet data and technology to improve operational procedures
• Participate in strategy setting and development for the Transportation Department

Qualifications - Required:

• A Bachelors Degree or higher in a quantitative field such as Mathematics Engineering Actuarial Statistics Economics Computer Science or similar field
• 1 years working in a data management/ technological systems maintenance capacity
• Expert analytical skills demonstrating a mastery of Python or R SQL and either Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
• Strong understanding of data warehousing principles and methodologies
• Ability to create project plans / timelines collecting input from stakeholders and sharing back outputs
• Strong written and oral communication skills in particular the ability to explain data systems and analyses to non-technical audience
• Highly organized and detail oriented

Qualifications - Preferred:

Candidates should have a demonstrated history of infusing the following traits into their work:

1. Curiosity - We need people to help our organization drive improvement. We feel that this requires a healthy desire to discover how and why things work the way they do. We also want candidates to be able to look for those explanations in data.
2. Quantitative Orientation Some people think that everything is measurable that all information can have a more precise and reliable measurement. This is who we want on our team; someone whose approach to everything is rigorous inquisitive and analytical.
3. Persistence You will have to deal with messy datasets and new and evolving problems in an operation that is learning how to use data effectively. We need you to be able to work through a problem until it is solved not until you reach a road block.
4. Vision This role is about more than just using quantitative skills to answer other peoples questions. We need someone who can help identify problems and opportunities and who knows how to ask the right questions to address them.
5. Technical Skills If quantitative orientation is about a candidates will to use data this trait is about the skill. We need someone who is trained in computer science statistics mathematics and/or economics. But we also want someone who is constantly acquiring technical skills and understands the value of a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving.
6. Teamwork We believe that excellent teams composed of high-performing team members can have an enormous impact. New team members are valued for their diverse experiences and commitment to service. They must also continuously seek input from a diverse set of perspectives and think critically about the impact of their work.
7. Communication This is one of the most important skills to have when working in a team environment. Being able to clearly convey your thoughts/ideas to any audience is vital to the success of this position. We need someone who can explain highly technical things to anyone.

Terms: Managerial C53. City of Boston Residency is Required.

The Boston Public Schools in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies does not discriminate on the basis of race color age criminal record physical or mental disability pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions homelessness sex/gender gender identity religion national origin ancestry sexual orientation genetics natural or protective hairstyle military status immigration status English language proficiency or any other factor prohibited by law in its programs and activities. BPS does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation threat or harassment that demeans individuals dignity or interferes with their ability to work or learn. If you require an accommodation pursuant to the ADA for the application process please contact the Accommodations Unit at

Required Experience:

IC