Senior Data Scientist/Modeler

Profile

Role

The Transportation Analysis and Modeling group has two types of roles available that support model development and model application.  Model Development team members maintain and improve a suite of models including the Activity Based Model (ABM), Rapid Strategic Model (RSM), Commercial Vehicle Model (CVM), Cross border Model (CBM), and other special market models. Key focus areas include the addition of new features related to emerging technologies, transformative transportation modes, and shared mobility.  The Model Development team also supports the Model Application team’s production modeling and analysis efforts.  Model Application team members apply the ABM in support of agency priority projects and initiatives including the regional plan, corridor studies, capital improvement projects, member agency development projects and climate action planning efforts. The application and analysis team manages the master transportation network, performs model runs, interprets and analyzes results, and communicates model outputs through a wide range of data and visualization and presentation formats. Key focus areas for this position includes border port of entry planning for the State Route 11/ Otay Mesa East project and Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plans.

More information about SANDAG transportation modeling can be found at https://www.sandag.org/index.asp?subclassid=119&fuseaction=home.subclasshome

Overview of the Data Science Department

As a premier multi-modal planning and project implementation agency, SANDAG relies on the quality and capacity of our Transportation, Demographic, Economic, and Land Use Modeling programs. A team of highly skilled professionals support a variety of projects including long-range coordinated transportation, economic, and land use plans, corridor studies, major transit investment studies, infrastructure development studies, and air quality plans.

As regional planning needs, travel behavior, and socioeconomic conditions change, the demands and expectations of our modeling program have increased. To meet these challenges, SANDAG has committed the resources necessary to develop and maintain a robust, agile, and integrated modeling infrastructure to support policy development and decision making. SANDAG has developed a nationally recognized and highly sophisticated ABM. As the future transportation system transforms, SANDAG will be updating its ABM, RSM, CVM, and CBM to respond to the impact of emerging transportation technologies, transformative travel modes, and shared mobilities used for regional planning.

Job Responsibilities

Supervise, mentor, train, and provide career development opportunities for a small team of professional staff with expertise in transportation modeling. Develop, maintain, and improve SANDAG’s ABM, RSM, CVM, and CBM.  Research and develop modeling features related to emerging transportation technologies, transformative modes, and shared mobilities.  Develop and maintain custom software applications to support transportation modeling.  Ensure transportation modeling tools and analytical capabilities are credible and effective for policy analysis; participate in quality assurance and quality control processes.  Maintain GIS networks of current and future roadway, transit, and active transportation projects.  Analyze and understand model run forecasts including performance metrics and mapping, travel behavior and impacts.  Perform and coordinate the analysis of large data sets and translate findings into digestible information to help inform various agency projects.  Research, collect, and compile data; ensure accuracy of information; maintain databases, and documentation.  Develop and prepare transportation model data visualizations.  Manage, provide support, and participate in project matrix teams assembled for transportation modeling analysis required for long-range regional plans and highway and transit investment studies.  Manage and coordinate the integration of transportation and land use models; coordinate with economic and demographic research staff to determine data interactions.  Coordinate with the Geographic Information Systems team to maintain transportation databases; ensure current and accurate traffic and passenger count data are being used.  Prepare and present written, oral, and visual reports to policy and stakeholder committees, member agencies, community groups, private organizations, and members of the public. Develop Requests for Proposals, scopes of work, and project budgets; evaluate competitive project proposals and make recommendations for consultant selection; manage project consultants and ensure projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and with a high-level of effectiveness.

Experience and Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in transportation modeling, computer science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, or a related field; five years of career development that include the types of career experience listed below. Lead or supervisory experience mentoring and training a small team of professional and technical staff is preferred. Knowledge of the principles and practices of travel demand modeling and forecasting; experience in development and/or the application of activity-based models is desirable.  Experience programming in languages such as Java, Python, R, and SQL; experience developing and maintaining custom software applications to support modeling functions.  Experience using modeling software such as EMME to support large, complex model development and applications projects. Experience with big/passive data and applications in travel demand modeling is preferable; research and/or modeling autonomous vehicles, transformative modes, and shared mobilities are desirable.  Experience with data acquisition, compilation, and quality assurance/quality control methods; experience with relational databases such as SQL Server is desirable.  Experience with ESRI software to include feature creation, scripting, mapping, and spatial analytics; knowledge of transportation network coding principals is preferable.  Experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI, Plotly, or Esri Experience Builder. Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to maintain a high level of accuracy.

Benefits

Our benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance as well as employee assistance, wellness, and work/life balance programs. Retirement and financial security benefits are provided through a pension plan and contribution to the SANDAG deferred compensation program. SANDAG offers flexible work schedules and employees are provided with paid time off and paid holidays.

How to Apply

Interested candidates may apply for this position by completing a SANDAG

Employment Application

The

Employment Application

can be downloaded from the SANDAG website or by contacting hr@sandag.org

or calling (619) 699-1900. See our Careers / How to Apply webpage for additional information.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), SANDAG will accommodate persons who require assistance in order to apply for a position at SANDAG. Applicants requiring an accommodation due to a disability during any stage of the recruitment and selection process, including requesting this document and related application materials in an alternative format, should make their needs known by contacting Human Resources at hr@sandag.org

, (619) 699-1900, (619) 699-1904 (TTY), or fax (619) 699-6905.

Further Information

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, applicants hired by SANDAG must show acceptable proof of identity and evidence of authorization to work in the United States.

The selected candidate can anticipate a driving record check upon hire, and approximately annually thereafter. The results of the check may determine whether the selected candidate will be permitted to drive for SANDAG business.

SANDAG requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID 19 within 45 days of hire; the COVID-19 vaccine booster also is required within 30 days from the date of hire, or 30 days after becoming eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster, whichever is sooner; reasonable accommodation requests will be considered.

SANDAG employees are expected to work in-person in our San Diego office.

Contact Us

  401 B Street, Suite 800, San Diego, CA 92101-4231

  (619) 699-1900 | TTY/TDD: (888) 722-4889

  sandag.org

   hr@sandag.org

SANDAG is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Company info

SANDAG.
Phone : (619) 699-1900
Fax : (619) 699-1905
Website : http://sandag.org