Senior Policy Analyst

At the MBTA we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe reliable and accessible transportation. MBTAs Core Values are built around safety service equity sustainability and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision mission and values. This includes attendance participation and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

The Senior Policy Analyst at the Office of Performance Management and Innovation (OPMI) will be responsible for managing and creating OPMIs data products as well as leading and creating technical solutions for reporting research and other processes for both MassDOT and the MBTA.

This role has primary responsibility for managing OPMIs data and technical projects that support a range of policy decisions related to strategic research and performance management and include both those specifically requested within the organization and those self-generated within OPMI. Projects may include maintaining and generating datasets for the MBTA Open Data Portal writing scripts using R or Python to automate performance measure calculations and assisting other teams in identifying preparing connecting to or creating data sources to enable their work.

To meet these responsibilities the Senior Policy Analyst will carry out projects involving data from all areas of transportation including public transportation active modes and car-based modes to support activities and decision-making by all divisions of MassDOT and the MBTA. Projects will include data assessment collection cleaning and visualization; data management and QA/QC; qualitative and quantitative data analysis; and best practice research.

• Manage projects involving data collection cleaning qualitative and/or quantitative data analysis.
• Design and implement programmatic solutions to access and visualize data including retrieving data from APIs cleaning large data files and creating visualizations.
• Translate complex data findings into actionable policy recommendations for a variety of technical and non-technical stakeholders and business partners.
• Identify opportunities to enhance data reporting collection and analysis across MassDOT and the MBTA.
• Keep up to date and engaged in data and analytics topics in the transportation field as well as the primary transportation challenges in the agency.
• As part of a collaborative team prioritize and manage data projects including identifying data needs conducting data collection cleaning and analysis reporting results within and outside the organization and using research results to inform practice.
• Work with various audiences (academic practitioners decision-makers etc.) as appropriate to improve data sharing and management within MassDOT and the MBTA.
• Establish and maintain organized efficient and standardized processes for work intake prioritization resource allocation quality control and release of findings.
• Respond to data inquiries from customers vendors and internal partners.
• Assist with other duties in OPMI as needed including providing support to Performance Management and Strategic Research verticals and cross-team projects.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Supervision

• May oversee a full-time Data Analyst position or rotating co-ops (interviewing hiring supervising mentoring training and evaluating).

• A Bachelors degree from an accredited institution in business administration statistics public policy economics mathematics computer science engineering political science history urban planning environmental studies or related field.
• Four (4) years of experience in quantitative analysis research or project management in transportation or related field. Independent research conducted in an academic program may be counted as work experience.
• Effective organizational analytical quantitative qualitative multi-tasking and time management skills.
• Ability to learn quickly take direction and work independently and ability to resolve issues with creative and collaborative approaches.
• Expertise in at least one approach to advanced data analysis (e.g. GIS SQL Python R SPSS or other).
• Advanced expertise in MS Word Excel and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in data visualization tools (Power BI Tableau).

• A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelors degree requirement.
• An associates degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelors degree requirement.
• A masters degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Five (5) or more years of experience in quantitative analysis research or project management in transportation or related field. Independent research conducted in an academic program may be counted as work experience.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read comprehend communicate and respond to instructions orders signs notices inquiries English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston MA metro area as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a diverseworkforce team (or supervise if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules regulations collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the MBTA including the EEO anti-discrimination anti-harassment and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate) including overall employment job performance discipline and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check comprehensive background screening and / or medical Clinic screening potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned directed or necessary for this position including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions emergencies or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Numberprior to starting their positions and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

1. General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary general nature and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties tasks and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
2. Application Completion: It is each applicants responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
3. Application Deadlines:Applicants should apply as soon as possible as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
4. Work Environment:The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
5. Work Eligibility:All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However if you have unrestricted work authorization or are sponsored by a separate entity you are welcome to all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
6. Interviews:Candidates should ensure they arrive on time are prepared can remain for the duration and if remote are in a quiet place without distraction for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling on a one-time basis and due to something emergent you may be allowed to reschedule the addition Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However should you need to reschedule you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
7. Safety Sensitive Positions:Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
8. On-call or 24/7 Positions:Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
9. Essential / Emergency Staff:During declared states of emergency employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
10. ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process please contact the MBTAs ADA Unit at or .
11. Diversity Equity and Inclusion:The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms descriptions and definitions related to diversity equity inclusion veteran status and immediate family members that you may find on the application form please visit / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship orco-opat the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass based on the city from which the intern / co-opcommutes to workat no cost. However no additional benefits are currently offered for interns orco-ops.