Data Specialist

This position is eligible for telework, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

Summary

The Data Strategist, Capital Strategy, will help shape the future of the greater New York region by contributing to the MTA’s capital planning and strategy process. More specifically, this position will be responsible for developing and applying analytical tools that help set policy for critical transportation investments necessary to ensure the continued mobility of the MTA region. This position is responsible for processing data across MTA agencies, developing and analyzing strategies and capital program methodologies, representing MTA policies with stakeholders, and working on long-range transportation strategies and issues.

Responsibilities

Utilize large databases of information, including asset assessments, asset inventories,

regional planning information, transit usage, and socio-economic and demographic

information to develop analytical and statistical tools to underpin the agency’s capital planning strategy.

Develop technical subject matter expertise in data architecture of one or more MTA asset categories.

Develop automation and pipelines to clean and consolidate asset data from multiple data repositories across agencies to create a compatible version-controlled data source for asset planning and reduce manual processes.

Work collaboratively across departments and staff, creating tools that assist in decision--

making based on system and component condition, performance, criticality, safety, impact on service reliability, customer experience, access, resiliency, and other relevant considerations.

Evaluate datasets and models to assess the quality and analytical rigor and enhance data quality reporting. Assist in improving decision-making tools, including data architecture, in continuously improving the MTA’s capital planning process.

Analyze, interpret, and visualize information, including the maturation of capital analytics, for other data-driven decision-making.

Establish areas of analysis, including system/network analyses, life-cycling costing, condition deterioration analysis, investment scenario modeling for prioritization of investments, and metrics to establish explicit linkages between the MTA Agencies’ objectives and investment priorities with desired and specific outcomes.

Recommend and implement frameworks considering multiple factors, such as asset condition, transit system performance data, regional needs, trends, and challenges.

Develop and present planning information, processes, and results to stakeholders.

Create new and meaningful means for public communication of – and public input into - MTA’s capital planning.

Education and Experience

A Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Data Science, Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field.

Must have a minimum of four (4) years of relevant experience.

Master's degree preferred. 
 

Knowledge of database management, programming, and other “big data” or data science skills.

Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) preferred.

Experience with Dynamic HTML (HTML, Javascript, and CSS) is a strong plus.

Ability to perform in-depth qualitative and quantitative analyses using various tools and datasets.

Strong time and task management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines and maximize the output of a small staff.
 

Effective communication skills.

Strong writing and presentation skills. 
 

Knowledge of the MTA regional network, operating context, and local, state, and federal transportation and policies.
 

The ability to work with both senior-level staff and technical personnel on a diverse array of issues.

The ability to interface with stakeholders, including senior political and business representatives.

Proficiency in data science software to produce data analytics, visualization tools, and spatial analysis.

Other Information

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Selection Criteria

Based on evaluation of education, skills, experience, and interview.

How to Apply

Qualified applicants can submit an online application by clicking the “APPLY NOW” button on the CAREERS page or the JOB DESCRIPTION page.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.