Senior Policy Analyst (Fare) (Policy and Strategic Planning)

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. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

About the Role

The Senior Policy Analyst (Fare) is responsible for analysis of fare revenue and ridership data in support of the Fare Policy team within the Policy and Strategic Planning (PSP) Department. This position helps to inform the development and implementation of various fare policies and fare collection practices, including but not limited to the rollout of new fare collection technologies, design of future fare policy changes under consideration, and implementation of fare engagement and all-door boarding. The scope of this position also includes analysis of the various impacts of expanded reduced fares and analysis of fare compliance and enforcement efforts across the MBTA system.

Responsibilities

• Compile and digest fare revenue data across multiple sources.
• Contribute to the reporting, tracking, and analysis of MBTA fare revenue data using Excel, SQL, R, Tableau, and/or other data management processes.
• 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.
• Develop dashboards to monitor data feeds.
• 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.
• Conduct analyses of fare revenue trends and the impacts of initiatives both planned and underway.
• Prepare and clean datasets for analysis to support fare scenario modeling, elasticity estimation, and Title VI fare equity analyses.
• Use modeling tools and interpret modeling outputs to support fare-policy analysis and recommendations.
• Assist in maintaining documentation packages for fare-related actions, including documentation associated with potential fare changes, procurement actions, and modeling sources.
• Support preparation of analytical materials, charts, and summaries for presentations to stakeholders.
• Recommend actions and policy proposals based on data-driven findings.
• Perform quality control activities to ensure the accuracy of vendor data and data processing procedures.
• Work in collaboration across the organization to develop consensus and communicate decisions.
• Prepare and author periodic detailed reports for MBTA senior management.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in business administration, statistics, economics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, political science, urban planning, environmental studies, public policy, or related field.
• Four (4) years of experience in quantitative analysis, research, or project management in transportation or related field.
• Strong technical ability, including proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and database applications.
• Effective organizational, analytical, quantitative, qualitative, multi-tasking, and time management skills.
• Ability to learn quickly, take direction, and work independently, and 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).
• Basic familiarity with causal inference and economic modeling.

Qualifications

Substitutions:

• A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An associate’s degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A master’s 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 Skills

• Experience with and knowledge of the MBTA system.
• Experience with econometrics.
• Knowledge of transportation policy and planning, strategic planning, climate policy and planning, urban or regional planning, or other related policy and planning topics.
• Experience preparing data inputs for modeling tools or policy analyses.
• Experience supporting regulatory or equity analyses (Title VI, fare equity, etc.).

Job Conditions

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in 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 diverse workforce team.
• 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 current student or recent graduate).
• 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.

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 Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings/pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Benefits

Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at 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-op commutes to work, at no cost.