Data Scientist

About the role

This candidate will serve as a Data Scientist in NYC DOT's Bike Share & Shared Mobility unit, which is responsible for planning and oversight of the Citi Bike program and other shared micro mobility services in New York City. Citi Bike is a public transportation service and a public-private partnership that is among the largest and most successful bike share systems in the world.

The program is in the midst of a five-year expansion that will ultimately double the size of its previous service area and put more than 40,000 bicycles within a five-minute walk of half of NYC residents. Other shared micro-mobility services in NYC include dockless e-scooter and e-moped shares.

We are seeking a visionary and analytical Data Scientist to join our team at a historic turning point as the original Bike Share Program Agreement nears its end in 2029 and the City prepares to reimagine the future of the bike share program. The position will serve as a core technical architect for what comes next. Beyond day-to-day system analytics, the position will research cutting-edge technology, evaluate back-end architecture, and craft technical requirements to support the future of bike share in NYC.

The position plays a pivotal role in shaping how we understand, monitor, and optimize our shared mobility systems. This individual will combine data science, advanced visualization, and strategic storytelling to translate complex data from Citi Bike and Shared E-Scooter programs into actionable insights that inform planning and day-to-day operations. The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of analytics and communication - able to uncover patterns, craft compelling narratives, and partner with internal team members at all levels to drive informed decision-making.

Reporting to the Director of Data Science, the Data Scientist will be responsible for, but not limited to:

Data Analytics & Research

• Conduct research and analysis on bike share and shared mobility to inform current and future planning
• Develop predictive models to answer complex and nuanced questions about the programs and anticipate future needs and behavior of the systems (e.g., simulate how different pricing mechanisms impact ridership and system revenue)
• Prepare reports and briefing materials based on the databases that underlie the bike share and shared mobility systems
• Monitor vendor compliance with governmental regulations, DOT policies, and contract terms
• Respond quickly and accurately to ad hoc data requests for internal and external stakeholders

Visualization & Storytelling

• Develop and maintain dashboards to deliver insights to internal team members using software such as Power BI
• Translate data into stories that resonate with senior staff, managers, and staff, highlighting both the "what" and the "why"

Strategic Thinking & Partnership

• Research and evaluate best practices for bike share technology, hardware, and data infrastructure to support leadership in crafting technical specifications for the future of bike share in NYC
• Collaborate with leadership, Operations, Planning, and Policy teams to align analytics and research agendas with organizational priorities
• Offer evidence-based recommendations to support system planning, managing existing service areas, and shaping future policy decisions
• Act as a trusted advisor and build strong relationships with the internal team members.

Data Management

• Monitor data quality, identify issues, and maintain data integrity.
• Document data management procedures (e.g., data dictionaries, business rules)
• Plan, design, maintain, and support unit internal databases

Qualifications & Requirements

• For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.

To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have

• A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.

NOTE: Probationary Period

Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.