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Analyst I, Trans Plan

  • Opportunity Posted On:

    05.06.2025

  • Company / Organization:

    MBTA

  • Location:

    Boston, MA

  • View Job:

    View Job Opportunity

  • Opportunity Description

    The Bus Transformation Office (BTO) oversees the Better Bus Project, a portfolio of activities at the MBTA aiming to make bus an easy first choice for more travelers. We implement the Bus Network Redesign and Transit Priority Vision, we “tell the story” of what’s happening across the full spectrum of activities, we cast a vision for what a transformed bus network would look like, we measure and share progress against that vision, and we advocate for resources and drive progress across all projects—some of which we directly manage, some of which we don’t. We are building a team culture of mutual respect and trust, centered on a passion for improving bus service at the MBTA.
    The Better Bus Program Support team is BTO’s analysis shop. The team is responsible for generating internal and public-facing maps, modeling operational and human impact of routing and service change alternatives, decision support analysis for executives, evaluating completed projects for Bus Network Redesign and Transit Priority, consolidating systemwide data on bus stop attributes and plans, and striving toward total alignment of bus data sources and standards. These analytic products are essential inputs to capital investment priorities, informing the public and elected officials, and knowing whether our efforts are delivering expected outcomes.
    As a Better Bus Transit Analyst, you enable BTO leaders to see through the fog of uncertainty around key decisions impacting every aspect of the bus network. You make the maps, models, charts, and reports that make our data-driven stories easy to understand across the MBTA and our communities. Your portfolio includes statistical analysis of bus corridors, routes, lanes, stations, and stops. Your statistical analysis and spatial work in GIS help Project Managers advance conceptual designs and plan sets through municipal, community, and internal processes. You excel in a scrappy data environment that requires validating and reconciling disparate data sources to paint a full picture, while making bold and actionable recommendations on how to unify, standardize, and scale data structures. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work deep within backend data behind the MBTA’s bus network while also going into the field to truly understand how the signals you find connect to frontline bus operations and street infrastructure.

     

    Duties & Responsibilities

     

    • Conduct spatial, statistical, or cartographic analysis using Excel, GIS, and other tools
    • Review engineering plan sets and designs submitted by consultants and other organizations
    • Develop sketch or concept layouts to aid in communicating designs to internal and external organizations
    • Prepare scheduled and ad-hoc reports, slideshows, graphics, maps, and other visual reports incorporating narratives and graphic data, for both online and print format
    • Proactively build and maintain positive and effective relationships with Departments. Work with Departments to analyze results, forecast current and future needs, assess performance and evaluate strategic opportunities
    • Communicate with and present to executive leadership project results and findings
    • Read and Review design and engineering plans with an eye to bus operations and bus riders
    • Conduct virtual and in-person fieldwork to confirm the condition and extent of bus infrastructure, such as bus stops, busways, and signs
    • Attend internal and external engagement events
    • Draft internal and external communications to stakeholders and leaders
    • Manage timelines, project milestones, and communications with internal and external partners
    • Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor or co-worker in a courteous and professional manner consistent with the Authority’s quality standard
    • Collaborate with other analysts on the knowledge sharing, cross-training, and joint support of cross-division projects
    • Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees
    • Visit work sites and/or attend off-site meetings throughout the MBTA service area
    • Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

    Supervision

    • None

     

    Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

     

    • A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in mathematics, engineering, transportation, urban planning, data science, business, or related field.
    • Three (3) years of full-time work, equivalent part-time, or internship/co-op experience in transportation planning, engineering, analytics or other related fields.
    • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Database applications.
    • Ability to learn quickly, take direction, work independently and use creative and collaborative approaches to resolve issues.
    • Effective organizational, analytical, multi-tasking, and time management skills.
    • Effective written and verbal communication skills.
    • The ability to work effectively with a diverse workforce.

     

     

    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 substitute 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.

    Preferred Experience and Skills

    • Experience in at least one approach to advanced data analysis or transportation software (e.g. Tableau, GIS, CAD, Synchro, VisSim).
    • Strong instincts for adapting formatting and visualization options based on the audience
    • Demonstrated ability to succinctly communicate accurate and relevant insights with clarity and verve, especially where source material is technically complex and nuanced
    • Track record of documenting and communicating methodologies and assumptions used in analysis
    • Experience scaling from a rudimentary data environment that scaled into reliable and/or real-time systems
    • Experience with implementing data management discipline and relying on appropriate data sources
    • Interpersonal skills or experience in stakeholder management or communications
    • Familiarity with transportation planning and transit systems, particularly the MBTA subway and bus network
    • Experience with assembling and reviewing transportation engineering plans