Senior Data Scientist (2-Year Temp Position with Potential for Permanent Hire)

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. We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. The Community Development division is responsible for the Council's regional long-range planning efforts; planning and technical assistance to local governments; planning for and funding the regional parks and open space system; delivering rent assistance through the Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority; and delivering the Livable Communities Act grant programs. The Community Development Research department collects, disseminates, and analyzes quantitative and qualitative data about demographic trends and inequities, development patterns, climate change, parks visitation, long-range forecasts, and the regional economy. We believe research can improve the lives of residents in our region and see our skills, creativity, and platforms as resources to further shared understanding about regional issues that matter. This position is part of the Strategy and Product Design team , a specialized group within the research department. We center people, integrate equity, and transform technical into accessible through—and by—design. All team members are skilled in data visualization, committed to web accessibility, and leverage user experience (UX) design principles and product-thinking to develop and deliver digital research products. How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region: The Senior Data Scientist will directly support the research department's mission to provide relevant, timely, and accessible data about the Twin Cities region to the public and organization through two key assignments: 1) a modernization of Community Profiles (an interactive application on Metropolitan Council's public website) and 2) the design and development of the Imagine 2050 Outcomes Measurement Program dashboard (an expansive regional trend monitoring program). Both projects will generate innovative digital research products that are guided by user experience (UX) research and use data visualization best practices. The Senior Data Scientist will be responsible for data transformations and statistical modeling applied to a variety of data sources and types (e.g. time-series, spatial, etc.). Given the research department's recent adoption of a new, unified cloud-based analytics platform (Azure Databricks), the best-qualified candidate will also have technical knowledge of data modeling and/or experience collaborating with data engineering teams in the context of developing web based, interactive applications or similar digital products. • This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. Produce data assets for digital research content Collaborate with research staff to develop conceptual, logical, and physical data models in a new enterprise-wide Azure Databricks open lakehouse environment to support external applications. Lead data analysis efforts by developing innovative approaches and applying advanced statistical methods across diverse data sources, delivering trustworthy, well-documented data pipelines. Partner with subject matter experts and data stewards across the division to develop short- and long-term best-fit data ingestion and maintenance strategies for internal data sources that meet product-based data specifications. Participate in relevant communities of practice; share and learn from staff peers to advance the department's practices and governance of the division's lakehouse. Build and support digital research products Collaborate with team to scope, design, build, and performance-tune digital research products using Tableau, R and R Shiny, ESRI ArcGIS Online and Enterprise Portal, and other software/tools as required. Use data visualization best practices to translate complex research concepts and findings into usable and accessible tools for a diverse user base. Apply user experience and user interface (UX/UI) design principles and findings from user experience research to digital research products to ensure successful outcomes. Any of the following combinations in completed education (degree field of study in Mathematics, Applied Data Analytics, Data Science, Computer Science, Social Sciences, or another related quantitative field) and experience (in advanced data analysis and statistical modeling; developing web based interactive applications or similar digital research products for data visualization or modeling; applied data modeling or engineering): High school diploma/GED with eight (8) years of experience Associate degree with six (6) years of experience Bachelor's degree with four (4) years of experience Master's degree with two (2) years of experience What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications): Experience working with Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) regional datasets. Proficient programming skills in SQL, R, and/or Python for statistical modeling, data analysis, data visualization, and/or data engineering. Experience with Tableau, R Shiny, and/or equivalent business intelligence software to build interactive applications. Experience working in racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse, multicultural, and inclusive environments. Experience with cloud-based data platforms or warehouses like Azure Databricks (preferred), Apache Spark, Snowflake, or equivalent database management systems. Experience with geospatial analysis and databases, and/or

ESRI GIS

software, including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online (AGOL), and Enterprise Portal. What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

Knowledge of:

The Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota region, including its geographic, planning, and data landscapes. Database design and management, including relational database systems, data architecture, and metadata standards. Product development strategies. User experience and user interface design principles.

Skilled in:

Advanced statistical modeling and analysis; machine learning techniques. Programming and scripting language skills, including proficient SQL, R, and Python. Data pipeline/workflow/ETL design and documentation in cloud-based data platforms and relational database systems. Developing web based interactive applications. Data visualization and/or visual analytics. Written communication, including the ability to document methods, workflows, and procedures for non-technical audiences. Managing workflow and prioritizing work tasks; adapting to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines to meet concurrent deadlines with strong attention to detail.

Ability to:

Lead complex data development projects to fulfill data requirements. Exercise sound professional judgment and promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity. Work independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment of internal stakeholders and product users. Learn new work styles, software/tools, and collaboration strategies to advance product-thinking. 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 H 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: We review your minimum qualifications. We rate your education and experience. We conduct a structured in-person panel interview. We conduct a selection virtual 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 .