Security Data Science Specialist

About the role

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is seeking a Security Data Science Specialist to join the Office of Security at MTA Headquarters. This position is eligible for telework and is full-time.

Responsibilities

• Writing code that will combine and transform datasets to meet a specific Security & Police need.
• Design and implement quality controls to ensure output data is valid, accurate, and user-friendly.
• Coordinating with internal and external police and/or security data leads to address data quality problems.
• Enhancing the quality and usability of legacy datasets and systems that may lack in compatibility or common field types.
• Developing reports and dashboards in various formats (Excel, Power BI, Report Builder, ArcGIS, automated emails, etc.) to share finished analysis with stakeholders.
• Leading specific data team projects/recurring tasks such as monitoring, analyzing, synthesizing, and reporting on confidential and sensitive open-source and police, intelligence, and security information sources to inform the overall MTA security strategy.
• Utilizing internal systems, tools, and processes to record and track MTA security incident data to identify trends and patterns.
• Suggesting methods to ensure data integrity and improve data collection, processes, and presentation.
• Collaborating with stakeholders and leadership to understand reporting needs and design outputs to achieve them.
• Producing the final design and workflows in consultation with senior managers.
• Outlining project requirements and problems as action plans that can be assigned to more junior team members.
• Ensuring project process and outputs are properly documented for continuity and presentation to Senior Security Management.
• Providing support and instruction (in both business knowledge and coding practices) to analysts and consultant staff.
• Keeping skills current by learning new algorithms, programming languages, and techniques.

Requirements

• Proficiency in data management, including knowledge of statistics, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, empirical research methods and procedures such as sampling and surveying techniques, and analytical skills.
• Experience in developing and analyzing algorithms, dashboards, and/or predictive models to support security and/or policing functions and investigative methodologies.
• Proven ability to manage team-based projects, completing both short-term and long-term initiatives efficiently and effectively.
• Experience in documenting processes and quality checks.
• Strong skills in database design and management with the ability to read code and interpret data.
• Experience in supervising staff performing analytical duties.
• Demonstrated proficiency with data processing, statistical software and management support tools, including Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, advanced Excel analysis, and business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
• Experience in transportation systems and planning theory & practice, particularly the MTA subway, bus, and railroad networks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in Security, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Mathematics, Psychology, Sociology, Public Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Information Management, Statistics, Data Science, Data Engineering, Mathematics, Public Policy or a related field from an accredited college or an equivalent combination of education from an accredited college and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in data, information, and analysis or performing statistical analysis and research, analyzing data, developing recommendations, implementing strategies, and preparing reports with similar programming and data management content.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience building datasets, automating tasks through scripts, writing database queries, and debugging/ maintaining code.
• Minimum 4 years of experience with Python and SQL programming.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with relational databases (e.g., Oracle, Postgres, SQL Server), including writing queries (generally with PL/SQL) to obtain and manipulate data.
• A valid driver's license is required.

Preferred

• Master’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (MA/MS) in Security, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Mathematics, Psychology, Sociology, Public Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Information Management, Statistics, Data Science, Data Engineering, Mathematics, Public Policy or a related field from an accredited college.
• Demonstrated experience meeting report filing deadlines for analysis reports with recommendations, strategy implementations, and statistical findings at an executive level.
• Interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills with the ability to think at a policy and strategic level.
• A working knowledge of project management principles and/or data analysis, predictive analytics, and experience in their application.
• A working knowledge and understanding of Federal, State, and NYC security and penal regulations and laws.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s collective bargaining procedures.
• A working knowledge and understanding of data exploration/data visualization tools like Tableau, Power BI, Web Focus, etc.
• Familiarity with GIS mapping of data or equivalent geospatial application.

Other Information

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends) and travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.

According 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”).

Equal Employment Opportunity: MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities. The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.