Data Scientist

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. 

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website. 

• Perform technical, statistical, and analytic tasks that support long-range transportation planning and research on regional transportation issues (for example: emerging transportation modes and technologies, generational changes in travel behavior, disparities in transportation access).
• Develop visualizations of transportation data and performance measures.
• Develop and apply cutting-edge transportation models that assess the region's future.
• Develop transportation forecasts at the regional, corridor, and project level.
• Improve workflows across the department by developing applications, processes, and analyses for all sorts of data.
• Process, clean, and code transportation data.
• Analyze, examine, and visualize spatial information in static and interactive maps.
• Perform geocoding, spatial data manipulation, and spatial data analysis.
• Collaborate with planners, researchers, and policy makers.
• Develop public-facing reports and web-based, interactive data visualization, analysis, and dissemination tools in partnership with internal and external partners.
• Respond to requests for data and information, including requests from the media, other Council staff, or local partners by summarizing data in a clear, coherent manner.
• Be a contributory team member in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Make presentations to the Transportation Committee and other Council advisory and technical committees, as needed.
• Review scholarly articles and technical papers in academic and industry databases/journals.
• Promote a culture of creativity, life-long learning, and continuous improvement.
• Promote a culturally diverse and inclusive work environment that advances racial equity.

Any of the following combinations in completed education (degree field of study in Mathematics, Analytics, Data Science, or related field) and experience (in statistical and/or machine modeling and/or developing web-based interactive data visualization tools):

• High school diploma/GED with seven years of experience
• Associate degree with five years of experience
• Bachelor's degree with three years of experience
• Master's degree with one year of experience

• Experience performing and communicating data analysis and statistical modeling of transportation data
• Experience working with transportation data and models
• Experience in programming and modeling languages (R or Python preferred)
• Experience in data mining; passive and/or "big" data; structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data
• Experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive environments.

• Knowledge of statistical analysis techniques (regression analysis, survival analysis, time-series modeling, etc.)
• Knowledge of database systems design and maintenance
• Knowledge of web-based interactive tool development
• Knowledge of computer programming (i.e. R, Python)
• Knowledge of passive transportation (i.e. Streetlight Data) and transportation survey data
• Skills in applied mathematics and statistics
• Skills in data visualization (i.e. 'ggplot2' package in R, Shiny, Tableau, Dash/Plotly in Python)
• Skills in version control and collaboration in Git
• Skills in data mining with structured, unstructured, and semi structured data
• Skills in GIS/Spatial analysis (i.e. ArcGIS, QGIS, ArcPy, Geopandas)
• Ability to read and understand complex academic and technical papers
• Ability to write summary reports, technical papers, and literature reviews
• Ability to synthesize technical information in a useable way that facilitates good policy and planning decisions
• Ability to plan workflow and prioritize work tasks
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and promote an equitable, positive, and respectful professional environment

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area. 
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement. 
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade G
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
  
What your work environment would be:
You would perform your work in a standard office setting. 
  
What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications. 
2. We rate your education and experience. 
3. We conduct a structured panel interview. 
4. We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:
  
If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only) and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history.   A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job.  If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.
  
If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards.  A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.
  
IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.
 
The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.