• Data Scientist

    Metropolitan Council (St. Paul, MN)


    Data Scientist

     

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    Data Scientist

     

    Salary

     

    $81,973.00 - $132,933.00 Annually

     

    Location

     

    390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN

     

    Job Type

     

    Full-Time

     

    Job Number

     

    2025-00385

     

    Division

     

    Metropolitan Transportation Services

     

    Department

     

    UPWP Projects

     

    Opening Date

     

    12/29/2025

     

    Closing Date

     

    1/21/2026 11:59 PM Central

     

    + Description

    + Benefits

    + Questions

    WHO WE ARE

    This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

     

    We are theMetropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services.More information about us on our website. (https://metrocouncil.org/About-Us/The-Council-Who-We-Are.aspx)

     

    We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

     

    Metropolitan Transportation Servicesconducts planning for the regional transportation system that includes highways, transit, aviation, freight, and bicycle and pedestrian connections. The Metropolitan Council is the region's federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization.

    How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

    The Data Scientistwill support multi-modal transportation planning in the Minneapolis and St. Paul region through innovative approaches to collecting and analyzing transportation data and the development and application of cutting-edge travel forecasting models and analysis tools. The Data Scientist will join a vibrant travel research and modeling team working on travel demand forecasting, travel behavior surveys, and creative analysis of all kinds of transportation data to drive planning and policy analysis.

     

    What you would do in this job

     

    + Perform technical, statistical, and analytic tasks that support long-range transportation planning and research on regional transportation issues (for example: emerging transportation modes and technologies, generational changes in travel behavior, disparities in transportation access).

    + Develop visualizations of transportation data and performance measures.

    + Develop and apply cutting-edge transportation models that assess the region's future.

    + Develop transportation forecasts at the regional, corridor, and project level.

    + Improve workflows across the department by developing applications, processes, and analyses for all sorts of data.

    + Process, clean, and code transportation data.

    + Analyze, examine, and visualize spatial information in static and interactive maps.

    + Perform geocoding, spatial data manipulation, and spatial data analysis.

    + Collaborate with planners, researchers, and policy makers.

    + Develop public-facing reports and web-based, interactive data visualization, analysis, and dissemination tools in partnership with internal and external partners.

    + Respond to requests for data and information, including requests from the media, other Council staff, or local partners by summarizing data in a clear, coherent manner.

    + Be a contributory team member in a multi-disciplinary team.

    + Make presentations to the Transportation Committee and other Council advisory and technical committees, as needed.

    + Review scholarly articles and technical papers in academic and industry databases/journals.

    + Promote a culture of creativity, life-long learning, and continuous improvement.

    + Promote a culturally diverse and inclusive work environment that advances racial equity.

     

    What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

    Any of the following combinations in completed education (degree field of study in Mathematics, Analytics, Data Science, or related field) and experience (in statistical and/or machine modeling and/or developing web-based interactive data visualization tools):

    + High school diploma/GED with seven years of experience

    + Associate degree with five years of experience

    + Bachelor's degree with three years of experience

    + Master's degree with one year of experience

    What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

    + Experience performing and communicating data analysis and statistical modeling of transportation data

    + Experience working with transportation data and models

    + Experience in programming and modeling languages (R or Python preferred)

    + Experience in data mining; passive and/or "big" data; structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data

    + Experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive environments.

    What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

    + Knowledge of statistical analysis techniques (regression analysis, survival analysis, time-series modeling, etc.)

    + Knowledge of database systems design and maintenance

    + Knowledge of web-based interactive tool development

    + Knowledge of computer programming (i.e. R, Python)

    + Knowledge of passive transportation (i.e. Streetlight Data) and transportation survey data

    + Skills in applied mathematics and statistics

    + Skills in data visualization (i.e. 'ggplot2' package in R, Shiny, Tableau, Dash/Plotly in Python)

    + Skills in version control and collaboration in Git

    + Skills in data mining with structured, unstructured, and semi structured data

    + Skills in GIS/Spatial analysis (i.e. ArcGIS, QGIS, ArcPy, Geopandas)

    + Ability to read and understand complex academic and technical papers

    + Ability to write summary reports, technical papers, and literature reviews

    + Ability to synthesize technical information in a useable way that facilitates good policy and planning decisions

    + Ability to plan workflow and prioritize work tasks

    + Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

    + Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and promote an equitable, positive, and respectful professional environment

    What you can expect from us:

    + We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

    + We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.

    + We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

     

    More about why you should join us! (http://metrocouncil.org/Employment/Making-A-Difference.aspx)

     

    Additional information

     

    Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade G

     

    FLSA Status: Exempt

     

    Safety Sensitive: No

    What your work environment would be:

    You would perform your work in a standard office setting.

    What steps the recruitment process involves:

    + We review your minimum qualifications.

    + We rate your education and experience.

    + We conduct a structured panel interview.

    + We conduct a selection interview.

    Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

    If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only) and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

     

    If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

     

    IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

     

    The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

     

    If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email [email protected].

     

    We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

     

    + Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund

    + Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan

    + Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%

    + Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

     

    The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:

     

    + Well@Work clinic

    + bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year

    + parking at many job locations

    + fitness centers at many job locations

    + Employee Assistance Program

    + extensive health and wellness programs and resources

     

    01

     

    Applicant Instructions: It is important thatyour application shows all relevant education and experienceyou possess. The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience, and determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely and please do not type "see resume." Otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attach a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding my application and supplemental questions.

     

    + Yes

    + No

     

    02

     

    How did youfirsthear about this job opening?

     

    + CareerForce Center

    + Community Event/Organization

    + Employee Referral

    + Facebook

    + Glassdoor

    + Indeed

    + Job Fair

    + LinkedIn

    + Metro Transit Bus Advertisement

    + Twitter

    + Website: governmentjobs.com

    + Website: metrocouncil.org

    + Website: metrotransit.org

    + Website: minnesotajobnetwork.com

    + Other

     

    03

     

    If you selected "other," please describe where you first heard about this job. If you selected "employee referral," please enter the employee's first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title.

     

    04

     

    Cover letters will be reviewed for this position. Did you attach one?

     

    + Yes

    + No

     

    05

     

    Please select the option below that reflects your education and experience level.

     

    + High school diploma/GED AND seven or more years of experience in statistical and/or machine modeling and/or developing web-based interactive data visualization tools

    + Associate degree in Mathematics, Analytics, Data Science, or related field AND five or more years of experience in statistical and/or machine modeling and/or developing web-based interactive data visualization tools

    + Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Analytics, Data Science, or related field AND three or more years of experience in statistical and/or machine modeling and/or developing web-based interactive data visualization tools

    + Master’s degree in Mathematics, Analytics, Data Science, or related field AND one or more years of experience in statistical and/or machine modeling and/or developing web-based interactive data visualization tools

    + Some education in Mathematics, Analytics, Data Science, or related field AND/OR some experience in statistical and/or machine modeling and/or developing web-based interactive data visualization tools, but less than the combinations above

    + None of the above

     

    06

     

    Please describe your experience with statistical and/or machine learning models. What types of models and software have you worked with and what is your process for preparing data for modeling, fitting, and validating models? If this does not apply, type “N/A”.

     

    07

     

    Please describe your experience with data visualization, particularly with interactive visualizations (e.g. RShiny, Tableau, etc). If this does not apply, type “N/A.”

     

    08

     

    Select all the items below in which you have experience.

     

    + Travel demand models

    + Transportation data analysis

    + R

    + Python

    + Linear/Logistic regression

    + Logit model estimation

    + Clustering methods

    + Git

    + Structured data

    + Semi-structured data

    + Unstructured data

    + Passive or "big" data

    + Surveys

    + Spatial data

    + SQL and relational databases

     

    09

     

    Please describe your comfort level with all that you selected in question 8. Please address: Where and how did you utilize these skills and/or knowledge and how did you gain that experience? Please provide examples of projects or tasks that you worked on or led. If this does not apply, type "N/A."

     

    10

     

    Please describe your experience collaborating in racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse, multicultural, and inclusive environments. If this does not apply, type "N/A."

     

    11

     

    Please describe your experience with communicating complex concepts to non-technical audiences and/or decision-makers. If this does not apply, type "N/A."

    Required Question

    Employer

     

    Metropolitan Council

     

    Address

     

    390 Robert St. N.St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101

     

    Website

     

    https://metrocouncil.org

     

    Apply

     

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