Staff Analyst Series -Operations Planning

First posted: 10.13.2025 • Open until filled • 2 Broadway, Manhattan • 9AM to 5PM

About the role

The Global Benchmarking & Innovation team within the Department of Operations Planning identifies best practices and gains insights from external organizations—primarily peer transit agencies and benchmarking organizations—to support MTA NYCT goals. The team supports NYCT’s operating departments (Subways, Buses, Paratransit) by providing comparative performance data and solutions to common transit challenges in planning, policy, operations, and maintenance. The team also facilitates the strategic implementation of pilot projects derived from global best practices.

Responsibilities

• Analyze data sources, studies, and performance indicators from benchmarking organizations and external transportation agencies.
• Provide robust key performance indicator data to international benchmarking organizations and analyze this data to benchmark NYCT’s relative performance.
• Identify key policy implications from benchmarking research and communicate them to internal decision-makers.
• Conduct independent research to identify best practices in transportation policy and operations.
• Collaborate with all MTA departments to understand current and future challenges facing public transit in NYC.
• Assist with department-wide analyses requiring strong quantitative, programming, and GIS skills.

Qualifications

Transportation Planner Series

• Principal Transportation Planner: Baccalaureate degree in engineering, urban studies, geography, transportation science, urban planning, economics, business, public administration, political science, or related fields; five years of full-time paid experience in transportation planning, scheduling, or operations. A master’s degree in a listed field may substitute for one year of experience.
• Senior Transportation Planner: Baccalaureate degree in a listed field; four years of full-time paid experience. A master’s degree may substitute for one year of experience.
• Transportation Planner: Baccalaureate degree in a listed field; two years of full-time paid experience in transportation operations planning or equivalent education/experience.
• Assistant Transportation Planner: Baccalaureate degree in a listed field; one year of full-time paid experience or equivalent education/experience.

Staff Analyst Series

• Associate Staff Analyst: Master’s degree in economics, finance, accounting, business/public administration, human resources, management science, operations research, organizational behavior, industrial psychology, statistics, personnel administration, labor relations, psychology, sociology, human resources development, political science, urban studies, or related field; one year of professional experience in budget administration, financial research, management analysis, program evaluation, personnel administration, or related fields. OR Baccalaureate degree and three years of professional experience in listed areas.
• Staff Analyst II/I: Master’s degree in a listed field or Juris Doctor; or Baccalaureate degree and two years of professional experience; or Associate degree and four years of experience; or High school diploma and six years of experience. College education may substitute for experience (30 credits = 1 year). All candidates must possess a baccalaureate degree to apply.

Note: Assignment Level II requires one additional year of professional experience beyond minimum requirements.

Skills

• Strong understanding of transportation planning practices and policy, especially within large, multimodal transit agencies or consulting firms.
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret diverse data sources and extract policy implications.
• Exemplary communication abilities (written, presentation, and verbal).
• Proficiency in Excel and GIS required.
• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, SQL, Python, or R is beneficial.

Pay

Transportation Planner Series

• Principal Transportation Planner: $99,734–$132,458
• Senior Transportation Planner: $94,117–$119,984
• Transportation Planner: $82,864–$106,715
• Assistant Transportation Planner: $70,857–$83,882

Staff Analyst Series

• Associate Staff Analyst (TA): $96,568–$125,031 (New Hire Rate: $83,971)
• Staff Analyst II (TA): $85,425–$95,142 (New Hire Rate: $74,284)
• Staff Analyst I (TA): $73,571–$87,099 (New Hire Rate: $63,972)
• Associate Staff Analyst (OA): $93,453–$121,004
• Staff Analyst II (OA): $82,673–$92,077
• Staff Analyst I (OA): $71,203–$84,295