The Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS) of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is reimagining the purpose and role of its transportation modeling tools in the planning process and developing the next generation of these tools to provide more efficient and meaningful insights to the MPO and partner agencies in the Boston region. The agency seeks a Data Scientist–Model Developer to research, design, implement, adapt, and maintain these models of travel behavior and transportation systems in various platforms.
The Data Scientist–Model Developer will join a relatively new team of developers at CTPS who are deploying an all new travel demand model and leading the practice in research, design, development, and support of transportation planning tools for the MPO and stakeholders. This role will research and prototype new approaches; work with stakeholders to refine design and requirements; adapt and develop new model scripts; prepare data, analysis, and visualization; and produce user and technical documentation. This role is based within the Travel Model Development team and will leverage skills across the team as well as support development of team members. This position will report to the Director of Modeling and Analytics.

• Contribute as a key team member on the development and maintenance of custom software applications to support transportation modeling.
• Perform research and participate in the development of modeling features related to emerging transportation technologies, transformative modes, and shared mobilities.
• Ensure that transportation modeling tools and analytical capabilities are credible and effective for policy analysis; participate in quality assurance and quality control processes.
• Work collaboratively to advance the state of the practice for transportation tools at the agency.
• Work from functional specifications and requirements produced by transportation modelers and translate those into efficient, flexible scripts with error handling, testability, and user-centered features.
• Provide input to and present design and code reviews.
• Develop supporting utilities in R, Python, TransCAD, and other platforms.
• Give input to work plans and level-of-effort estimates.

While the following sections describe required and desirable qualifications, candidates who believe that their particular experience and skills fulfill the requirements are encouraged to apply.

Required

• Advanced degree in transportation modeling, computer science, data analytics, data science, statistics, mathematics, engineering or related field, and 1-3 years of experience using the required skills or comparable skills
• Excellent ability to think logically and algorithmically in one or more programming languages to develop clear, cogent software design and well-documented code
• Experience conducting statistical analysis of datasets, extracting useful information, and fitting mathematical models to describe the data to be programmed into a larger process
• Experience using data management, procedure development, and data visualization in either R or Python (preferably both), and an understanding of relational databases
• Strong understanding of econometric and demand models, use and purpose of market segmentation, and interpreting model estimators in the context of behavioral theory
• Familiarity with travel demand modeling concepts and how transportation infrastructure is represented in model networks.
• Familiarity with GIS and experience working with and visualizing spatial data
• Effective work prioritization, time management, and collaboration skills
• Facility with version-control software and methods
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills

• A desire to help build an equitable, sustainable, and resilient transportation system for the Boston region
• A passion to learn new analytical skills and share knowledge with the team
• Experience using transportation modeling software, such as TransCAD, to support large, complex model development and applications projects
• Experience building and maintaining code environments for development and production
• Ability to identify, describe, visualize, and communicate the technical limitations, innovations, and consequences of model implementations

Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time position, and the starting salary range is $72,500–$82,500 annually, contingent upon qualifications and experience.

The agency offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits; a flexible, supportive work environment; and a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Additional Information
The Central Transportation Planning Staff of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization is a public agency made up of a passionate group of transportation planners, analysts, modelers, programmers, and engineers working to address the Boston region’s transportation challenges. The agency’s deep transportation knowledge is an essential asset to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), regional transit authorities, cities and towns within the region, as well as other agencies and stakeholders.

The agency has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from the Central Transportation Planning Staff’s office, which is located in downtown Boston, in a transit-oriented and bicycle-friendly area.

Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States. All employees are required to provide proof of the primary COVID-19 vaccine series and at least one booster.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is the fiduciary agent to the Central Transportation Planning Staff and legally employs the staff. Both organizations are Equal Employment Opportunity employers that take pride in the diversity of their workforces and encourage all qualified persons to apply. MAPC participates in the E-Verify system to confirm employment eligibility.

How to Apply
This position is open until filled, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 21 days. When applying for this position, please upload both a resume and cover letter via www.bostonmpo.org. Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three references plus a sample of relevant writing or a work product.

The information below is a general overview of the benefit programs offered by CTPS. The benefits package is subject to change.

• 75% CTPS paid medical insurance premium
• Low cost basic and optional life insurance
• Retirement Savings plans: Defined Benefit Pension plan through Mass. State Employees Retirement Board System (MSERB) and a Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
• Reasonable dental and vision plans
• Paid vacation time
• Paid sick time
• 12 paid holidays
• Up to 5 paid discretionary days per year (based on hire date)
• 20 CTPS-paid days for FMLA qualifying events, including parental leave
• Flexible Spending Accounts for health care and dependent care
• Transit commuter subsidy up to $225
• Blue Bikes subsidy
• Tuition assistance
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Professional development
• Professional membership dues assistance
• Short-term Disability coverage
• Optional Long-Term Disability coverage
• Mass4You Wellness Programs and Employee Assistance Program