Senior UX Researcher and Tester

Note: New York City (5 boroughs) and Remote.


This assignment involves field work anywhere in 5 NYC boroughs and remote. Days in the field or remote may vary each week and will be dictated by the project needs. Some weeks may be 5 days remote, but some may be 5 days in the field. Occasionally, the consultant will be asked to attend team meetings at 2 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY.


SCOPE OF SERVICES


The Senior UX Researcher and Tester will collaborate closely with UX Lead, Product Managers and vendors to ensure the delivery of user-centered design recommendations, artifacts, and documentation for MyCity. This role will encompass leading, coordinating, and executing user research activities, as well as conducting rigorous usability testing to validate design decisions. Additionally, the Senior UX Researcher and Tester will actively participate in all design and team activities, offering expertise in both UX research and design to contribute effectively to the project's success. The role may also collaborate and complement a UX Service Designer during key research and testing periods.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan and conduct user research activities, including interviews, surveys, usability testing, and contextual inquiry, enhanced by automated insights synthesis and dynamic persona generation, to gather deeper insights into user behaviors, preferences, and pain points.
• Analyze user research findings using AI-assisted tools for trend analysis and predictive modeling to derive actionable insights and recommendations for product improvements, prioritization, and iteration.
• Leverage web analytics to evaluate service design recommendations, validate user research findings, and inform iterative improvements.
• Develop and maintain user personas, journey maps, and other artifacts to communicate research insights and ensure alignment across cross-functional teams.
• Lead the creation and execution of usability testing protocols, incorporating intelligent test scenario generation, participant recruitment, facilitation, and automated sentiment tracking for in-depth analysis of results.
• Collaborate with UX designers to translate research findings into design solutions, wireframes, prototypes, and comprehensive design specifications.
• Actively participate in design sprints, ideation sessions, and design reviews, providing expertise in user research and testing to guide decision-making and iterate on designs.
• Work closely with developers to ensure the seamless implementation of designs, providing guidance on micro-interactions, behaviors, and user experience considerations.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the usability and effectiveness of MyCity through ongoing user research, usability testing, and real-time data analysis, incorporating predictive trend modeling using futuristic AI tools to advocate for user needs and drive iterative improvements.

TOOLS and METHODOLOGIES:


User Research and Testing:

• Capable of conducting unmoderated and moderated usability testing on online platforms.
• Proficient in facilitating surveys, interviews, and contextual inquiries for qualitative insights.
• Skilled in tools for research synthesis and organizing participant feedback.
• A/B testing, Clickstream and heatmap analysis to validate user flows.

Prototyping and Design:

• Advanced proficiency in Figma for creating wireframes, prototypes, and interactive design assets.
• Experience with tools for generating and testing interactive prototypes.

Data Analysis:

• Able to utilize platforms for tracking user behavior and gathering quantitative data, especially Google Analytics.
• Proficient in data visualization tools to present research insights effectively.

Collaborative and Agile Workflows:

• Design sprints and Iterative prototyping and feedback loops.
• Familiar with tools for journey mapping, co-creation workshops, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Able to manage tasks and workflows using Agile project management tools.

Accessibility and Usability Compliance:

• Competent in using platforms for conducting accessibility evaluations and ensuring compliance with ADA and WCAG standards.

MANDATORY SKILLS/EXPERIENCE


Note: Candidates who do not have the mandatory skills will not be considered

• 8+ years of experience in UX research and testing, with a proven track record of independently leading research initiatives and conducting usability testing in agile environments.
• Strong understanding of user research principles and methodologies, including experience with various research techniques such as interviews, surveys, usability testing, and contextual inquiry. Expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Proficiency in planning, executing, and analyzing user research activities, utilizing dynamic insights synthesis and automated tools, to derive actionable insights and recommendations for product improvements.
• Ability to lead the creation and execution of usability testing protocols, including test plan development, participant recruitment (both remote and in-person), facilitation, and analysis of results. Experience with various testing methodologies, such as moderated and unmoderated remote testing.
• Proficient in Figma to design wireframes and mockups, with advanced skills in building prototypes for user testing purposes.
• Proficiency in collaborating with UX designers and Product Owners to translate research findings into design solutions and ensure the seamless implementation of designs. Ability to effectively communicate research insights and recommendations to inform design decisions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively convey research findings, insights, and recommendations to diverse stakeholders. Experience presenting research findings to stakeholders and facilitating working sessions or design reviews.
• Experience conducting remote usability testing, including selecting appropriate remote testing tools, setting up and moderating remote test sessions, and analyzing remote test data. Familiarity with platforms such as User Testing.
• Proficiency in recruiting participants for testing, sourcing participants, screening them for eligibility, and scheduling test sessions. Experience managing participant incentives and ensuring participant diversity.
• Candidate MUST have an online portfolio and provide a link as part of the submission package (in the body of the resume preferred)

DESIRABLE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

• Create appropriate design artifacts to support project and team objectives, including visual designs, prototypes, and wireframes.
• Collaborate with UX designers to establish and enhance a cohesive design system as needed.
• Experience working in agile environments and cross-functional teams, with an understanding of agile methodologies and practices.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams to design and improve service delivery.
• Proficiency in using UX and agile tools and platforms for project collaboration and communication, (e.g. Figma and Azure Boards).
• Familiarity with design thinking principles and methodologies, with the ability to participate in design sprints, ideation sessions, and design reviews.
• Experience conducting accessibility evaluations and ensuring compliance with accessibility standards and guidelines.
• Proficiency in using analytics tools and platforms to track user behavior, gather quantitative data, and inform decision-making.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Candidates must be willing and able to pass an assessment conducted by NYC hiring manager(s).