Senior Data Scientist

Senior Data Scientist

The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) seeks a Senior Data Scientist to join the Data Management team. The Data Management team governs how the agency obtains, manages, uses, and shares data. The team collaborates with stakeholders to develop shared data resources, guidelines, and infrastructure to continually improve the quality, reproducibility, and transparency of data used for transportation planning in the region. The Data Management team is passionate about improving the MPO's data maturity and implementing the technologies and workflows to support transportation planning in the Boston region.

The Senior Data Scientist on the Data Management team will play a lead role in executing the agency's data program. The data program advances strategic efforts to improve how the agency uses, develops, stores, and shares transportation and other planning datasets. This work entails coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to assess needs, developing documentation and guidelines, and providing recommendations to senior leadership. The senior data scientist will lead the exploration of new datasets, administer public-facing data visualization applications, and coordinate with the MPO's project teams and staff on the Data Management team to implement data management strategies and norms.

Specific responsibilities include the following:

• Lead aspects of the agency's Data Strategy, including development and implementation of data governance practices.
• Develop standards for data acquisition, management, utilization, and sharing.
• Update the agency's data strategy and execute the data program roadmap year-to-year.
• Plan and develop extraction, validation, and processing methods for large datasets (e.g., GTFS, US Census data, roadway linear referencing systems, crash data, etc.).
• Maintain datasets, design data pipelines, and define metadata while ensuring data integrity and statistical accuracy across all primary and secondary sources.
• Lead research into new data solutions and tools and translate technical research findings into actionable insights for stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Provide expert advice on data science and management to project teams to ensure data management guidance and policies are followed throughout agency work.
• Lead meetings with stakeholders to present analysis, visualizations, and entire transportation planning studies.
• Develop scopes of work (SOW) to help determine project timeframes, funding needs, and program phases.
• Identify program and project resource needs, budgets, and schedules and track progress against project plans.

While the following sections describe required and desirable qualifications, candidates who believe that their particular experience and skills fulfill the requirements are encouraged to apply.

Required qualifications include the following:

• At least eight years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in a data science, data analysis, or data management position, or another field that would support the candidate's ability to carry out the above responsibilities. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field may substitute for three years of experience. A master's degree in a relevant field may substitute for five years of experience.
• Expertise in data science, analysis, scripting, and automation using Python and/or R and relevant data science and geospatial packages.
• Proficiency working with relational databases.
• Proficiency with geospatial data processing and management using GIS tools such as ESRI's ArcGIS products or other platforms, or other demonstrable geospatial data science or analysis experience.
• Proficiency with GitHub version control platform and processes.
• Experience developing data strategy or management processes for small to medium organizations.
• Knowledge of web application and/or cloud system architecture.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically about data structures and limitations.
• Attention to detail and ability to manage time on multiple projects effectively and independently.
• Ability to think strategically about the importance of data as a resource to support the organization's planning efforts and transportation analysis projects.

The following qualifications are desirable, but not required:

• Familiarity with linear referencing systems and associated data structures.
• Familiarity building and maintaining public-facing ArcGIS products such as web applications or Experiences; or familiarity with Shiny applications; or other public-facing data presentation experience.
• Experience building and/or managing public-facing data catalogues.
• Experience working with transportation datasets, such as those containing traffic counts, crash data, or GTFS streams, or other key datasets.
• An interest and passion for interconnected, multimodal transportation systems.
• Knowledge of the Boston region and its transportation system.
• A desire to help build an equitable, sustainable, and resilient transportation system for the Boston region.

This is a full-time position and the starting salary range is $85,000-$100,000 annually, contingent upon qualifications and experience. The agency offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits; a flexible, supportive work environment; and a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Additional Information

The Boston Region MPO is a public agency made up of a passionate group of transportation planners, analysts, modelers, programmers, and engineers working to address the Boston region's transportation challenges. The agency's deep transportation knowledge is an essential asset to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), regional transit authorities, cities and towns within the region, as well as other agencies and stakeholders.

The agency has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from the Boston Region MPO office, which is located in downtown Boston, in a transit-oriented and bicycle-friendly area.

Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States and a valid driver's license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is the fiduciary agent and legal employer of the Boston Region MPO staff. Both organizations are Equal Employment Opportunity employers that take pride in the diversity of their workforces and encourage all qualified persons to apply. MAPC participates in the E-Verify system to confirm employment eligibility. MAPC and the Boston Region MPO may consider sponsorship on a case-by-case basis.

How to Apply

This position is open until filled, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. When applying for this position, please upload both a resume and cover letter via Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three references plus a sample of relevant writing or a work product.