Data Scientist

There is only one city in the country that can say it is the Nation’s Capital – Washington, D.C. Given that distinction, The Metropolitan Police Department is the premiere law enforcement organization in the city. We receive over 22 million visitors a year, have almost 700,000 residents, and 21,000 private business. The Department consists of more than 4,200 members: approximately 3,550 sworn members and over 650 civilian employees. We are one of the most diverse and highly trained departments in the country. We have the honor of safeguarding and protecting not only our nation’s residents, but also people from all over the world.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) offers an attractive benefits package. The benefits package includes competitive compensation, health insurance, prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, short and long term disability and life insurance, as well a strong retirement benefit and savings options. Employees are also eligible for our employer contributed 401a plan after one year of employment. Additional perks such as discounts on wireless carriers, gym memberships, amusement park tickets and much more! Additional information can be found at: DCHR Benefits

The Data Scientist position is assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Joint Strategic & Tactical Analysis Command Center (JSTACC), inside the Research and Evaluation Branch (REB). REB uses social science research, scientific methods and data science to inform, improve or evaluate the delivery of public safety services for all District residents. The purpose of this position is to provide data science and advanced analytical support, generating actionable insights from data and then presenting those insights in compelling graphical, numerical, and narrative forms. The Data Scientist will work independently and collaboratively with other internal and external entities; and provide timely, relevant and scientifically rigorous evidence to inform MPD's policies, programs and decision making.

This Data Scientist position is covered under the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) bargaining unit and you may be required to pay an agency fee through direct payroll deductions.

This incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Identifies and executes on opportunities to harness data analytic approaches that provide insight into and achieve Department goals.
• Obtains, merges, reshapes, cleans, and evaluates the quality of datasets.
• Where applicable, automates data pulls, manipulations, and other rote activities to enable efficient operations.
• Uses descriptive statistics, predictive analytics, machine learning, and other methods to learn about and derive insights from the patterns and relations within a dataset.
• Uses inferential statistics to learn about the causal relations between variables in a dataset, including randomized field evaluations.
• Develops intuitive and compelling graphics to visualize and think about data.
• Creates data dictionaries, annotated code, and similar materials to ensure work product is as open and reproducible as possible.
• Proactively provides ideas and critical feedback—as well as being open to such constructive dialogue—as part of continuous improvement processes.
• Ensures that work product adheres to methodological and open science best practices.
• Writes descriptions and summaries projects for diverse audiences, including executive and command staff leadership, scientific experts, government practitioners, and public stakeholders.
• Works to disseminate scientific lessons, tools, and best practices across MPD and District government.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Expertise in data analytics and scientific methodology and a passion to apply those scientific talents to improve government and MPD performance.

Proficiency in creatively determining which analytic approaches and computing techniques are most appropriate for a given data situation.

Proficiency and creativity in visualizing, analyzing, and communicating insights from data.

Expertise in at least one statistical programming language, such as R, Python, Stata, SAS, or similar.

Expertise in handling complex datasets, including importing, merging, and reshaping datasets, as well as handling duplicates, discrepancies, missing entries, and other quirks of large administrative data.

Expertise, as demonstrated by advanced coursework or equivalent experience in at least two (2) of the following: machine learning; econometrics; design and analyses of experiments; or data visualization and interaction.

Expertise accessing data through a variety of methods including APIs, SQL databases, etc. A plus for experience designing and building data infrastructure needs.

Strong communication skills, in both written and verbal formats, and including under time pressure.

Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain relationships with a diverse range of agency, government, and university partnerships.

Licensures, Certifications and other requirements:

N/A.

Education:

Master's Degree or equivalent work experience in economics, political science, statistics, mathematics, or other quantitative field.

Work Experience:

One year of closely-aligned experience at the CS-11 grade level. CS-11 grade level work includes performing independent work of considerable difficulty requiring professional, scientific, or technical training and experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Work Environment:

Work location is in an office environment. Work is sedentary and may require walking and standing in conjunction with travel and attendance at meeting and conferences away from the work site and carrying light items, such as laptops, papers, books, small parts, and driving an automobile.

Other Significant Factors:

This position has been designated as Emergency. Employees occupying positions designated as Emergency are required to:

• Provide advice, recommendations, and/or specific functional support necessary for the continuity of operations during a declared emergency.
• Remain at their duty station, or alternate work location (approved by their supervisor), if activated, when a situation or condition occurs and results in early dismissal for nonessential/non-emergency employees.
• Report to their duty station, when activated, on time and as scheduled when a situation or condition occurs during non-work hours, and results in the late arrival or closing of District government offices for non-essential/non-emergency employees.
• Telework during a declared emergency, instead of remaining or reporting to his or her duty station, if directed by the agency head (or designee), supervisor or manager.

This position is deemed as “Security Sensitive” pursuant to Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations, in addition to the general suitability screening and criminal background check (pre-employment and periodic), individuals may be subject to the following checks and tests: Traffic record check (as applicable);

a. Pre-employment drug and alcohol test (as applicable);
b. Consumer credit check (as applicable);
c. Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test;
d. Random drug and alcohol test;
e. Return to duty or follow-up drug and alcohol test; and
f. Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.

The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer: all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is also prohibited. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited.

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