Data Analyst, Routing and Scheduling

Boston Public Schools•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Boston Public Schools Office of Transportation is one of the largest departments in the district overseeing a nearly $200M annual budget (~12% of total spending). The Transportation office provides over 600 buses that transport nearly 20,000 students across the district as well as local parochial, private and charter schools. This is one of the largest and most complex school bus transportation systems in the country. The Data Analyst for Routing and Scheduling works within the BPSDOT Data Team providing technology system management, fleet schedule assembly and management, and reporting and data analysis to support overall effective and efficient routing and fleet scheduling.

Requirements

A Bachelor's Degree or higher in a quantitative field such as Mathematics, Engineering, Actuarial, Statistics, Economics, Computer Science, or similar field
1+ years working in a data management/ technological systems maintenance capacity
Expert analytical skills, demonstrating a mastery of Python or R, SQL, and either Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
Strong understanding of data warehousing principles and methodologies
Ability to create project plans / timelines, collecting input from stakeholders and sharing back outputs
Strong written and oral communication skills, in particular the ability to explain data systems and analyses to non-technical audience
Highly organized and detail oriented

Nice To Haves

Curiosity - We need people to help our organization drive improvement. We feel that this requires a healthy desire to discover how and why things work the way they do. We also want candidates to be able to look for those explanations in data.
Quantitative Orientation – Some people think that everything is measurable, that all information can have a more precise and reliable measurement. This is who we want on our team; someone whose approach to everything is rigorous, inquisitive, and analytical.
Persistence – You will have to deal with messy datasets and new and evolving problems in an operation that is learning how to use data effectively. We need you to be able to work through a problem until it is solved, not until you reach a road block.
Vision – This role is about more than just using quantitative skills to answer other people’s questions. We need someone who can help identify problems and opportunities, and who knows how to ask the right questions to address them.
Technical Skills – If quantitative orientation is about a candidate’s will to use data, this trait is about the skill. We need someone who is trained in computer science, statistics, mathematics, and/or economics. But we also want someone who is constantly acquiring technical skills and understands the value of a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving.
Teamwork – We believe that excellent teams, composed of high-performing team members, can have an enormous impact. New team members are valued for their diverse experiences and commitment to service. They must also continuously seek input from a diverse set of perspectives and think critically about the impact of their work.
Communication – This is one of the most important skills to have when working in a team environment. Being able to clearly convey your thoughts/ideas to any audience is vital to the success of this position. We need someone who can explain highly technical things to anyone.

Responsibilities

Maintain technology systems related to routing (e.g., Zum, Geotab) and adapt these systems to shifting business needs
Serve as primary liaison with vendors to ensure BPS DOT is: Using the most appropriate version of software, Utilizing the software to its fullest potential, Up to date on training all necessary staff
Serve as liaison between the BPS routing team, BPS Technology and transportation contractors
Develop and run queries to perform data extractions needed by teams in the department from various data sources including the routing system as well as the district's student information system.
Manage data in all software systems related to routing and ensure data is properly synced with external data sources.
Implement data auditing strategies and processes to ensure data integrity
Create and maintain fleet schedule that balances performance and efficiency
Assist with optimization and troubleshooting of routes
Gather and translate user requirements into technical specifications
Develop and generate reports and dashboards for various stakeholders such as BPSDOT staff, the Executive Director of Transportation, COO, Superintendent and Mayors Office
Perform complex analyses on routing data to improve efficiency and bus performance
Understand operational complexities as they relate to routing and incorporate into data flows and checks
Support training of other departmental staff on how to use routing and fleet data and technology to improve operational procedures
Participate in strategy setting and development for the Transportation Department