Senior Policy Analyst (Transportation Researcher)

Salary: $74,300.00 - $85,000.00 Annually
Location : 10 Park Plaza, Boston
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 23-19850
Department: MBTA - Office Perf Mgmt & Innov
Area: 502-Office Perf Mgmt & Innov (OPMI)
Opening Date: 11/21/2023
Closing Date: 12/5/2023 11:59 PM Eastern
Union Affiliation: Executive
Safety Sensitive: No; this is not a Safety Sensitive position.
On-Call or 24/7: No; this position is not classified as on-call or 24/7.
Essential Classification (Emergency Staff): No; this position is classified as non-essential (during declared States of Emergency).
At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA's core values are built around safety, service, equity, and sustainability and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.
Job Summary
The Senior Policy Analyst on the Strategic Research team in the Office of Performance Management and Innovation (OPMI) will be responsible for leading and coordinating transportation research processes from hypothesis development to field work and analysis, to delivery of results for multiple simultaneous research projects in all areas (and modes) of MassDOT and the MBTA. Major areas of focus will include issues of transportation equity, the changing transportation, climate, and economic environment, and the changing availability and quality of data for research and measurement. This role has primary responsibility for prioritizing and managing transportation research projects undertaken by OPMI to support MassDOT and the MBTA. Research projects focus on how multiple transportation modes interact to create a transportation network. Projects may include research to support innovative measurement frameworks, design of pilot project evaluations, and general exploratory research.
Duties & Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of the broader research agenda at OPMI
• Keep up to date and engaged in the research and analysis being done in the transportation field as well as the primary transportation challenges in the agency to bridge the gap between research and practice
• As part of a collaborative team, prioritize and manage transportation research projects, including identifying research needs, conducting data collection and analysis, reporting results within and outside the organization, and using research results to inform practice
• Communicate complex transportation research concepts to various audiences (academic, practitioners, decision-makers, etc.) as appropriate in order to contribute to the body of transportation research
• Establish and maintain organized, efficient, and standardized processes for work intake, prioritization, resource allocation, quality control, and release of findings
• Assist with other duties in OPMI as needed, including providing support to Performance Management and Data Strategy verticals and cross-team projects

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Transportation, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Statistics, Social Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Geography, Psychology, Economics, Computer Science, Public Policy, Political Science, History, Environmental Studies, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of directly relevant experience in quantitative or qualitative analysis, research, or project management in transportation or related field.
• Experience with all steps of the research process: generating hypotheses, acquiring appropriate data from primary or secondary data sources, and collecting new data when necessary, filtering and cleaning data, conducting appropriate statistical analyses, including correcting for data inadequacies, and developing actionable recommendations, reports, and visualizations.
• Expertise in at least one approach to advanced data analysis (e.g., GIS, SQL, Python, R, SPSS, or other).
• Effective organizational, analytical, quantitative, qualitative, multi-tasking and time management skills.
• Ability to learn quickly, take direction, and work independently, and ability to resolve issues with creative and collaborative approaches.
• Advanced expertise in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Substitutions Include

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• An associate degree from an accredited institution an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• A master's degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team (or supervise, if required)
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection)
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service

Disclaimers and Definitions:

1. General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
2. Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
3. Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
4. Work Eligibility: Although the MBTA is an all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
5. Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
6. On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
7. Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
8. ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or
9. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit

Employment Benefits at the MBTA
The MBTA offers comprehensive benefits packages to employees. Types of benefits offered at the MBTA are subject to the union affiliation / Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of the position to which you apply. Benefits that may apply to your position include the following:

• Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, Life (basic and supplemental), Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Vacation, Personal Days, Sick Leave, Paid Holidays
• Retirement: pension or deferred compensation 401(a), plus MBTA contributions
• Tuition Reimbursement (up to $10,000 per year)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for student loans
• Commuter Choice Parking Program: pre-tax benefits for parking
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): pre-tax benefits for healthcare-related expenses
• Discounted tickets for concerts, movies, travel / vacation, etc. via TicketsAtWork.com
• Shopping discounts via GovX.com
• Verizon and AT&T service discounts
• And more...

The above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the MBTA. This summary is not a contract andis not meant to change the provisions of union contracts or Authority policy and does not establish a binding past practice.
The MBTA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
01
Which below best describes your education and experience?

• A High School diploma with twelve (12) years of directly related experience
• An Associate's degree from an accredited institution with eight (8) years of directly related experience
• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Transportation, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Statistics, Social Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Geography, Psychology, Economics, Computer Science, Public Policy, Political Science, History, Environmental Studies, or a related field with five (5) years of directly relevant experience in quantitative or qualitative analysis, research, or project management in transportation or related field
• A Master's degree in a related subject with three (3) years of directly related experience
• None of the above

02
Do you have experience with all steps of the research process: generating hypotheses, acquiring appropriate data from primary or secondary data sources, and collecting new data when necessary, filtering and cleaning data, conducting appropriate statistical analyses, including correcting for data inadequacies, and developing actionable recommendations, reports, and visualizations?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you have expertise in at least one approach to advanced data analysis (e.g. GIS, SQL, Python, R, SPSS, or other) ?

• Yes
• No

04
Please rate your current proficiency level using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

• No experience
• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert

05
Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status)?

• Yes
• No

Required Question