This is a temporary position with an anticipated end date of December 31, 2027.
Around the world, cities are bringing the practice of innovation into government to address the most pressing urban challenges and improve the quality of life for residents. The City of Seattle is home to an innovation unit – Innovation & Performance – that deploys a range of strategies, including quantitative and qualitative research, design-based innovation, and solid project management to bring greater clarity and new solutions to the city’s most pressing problems. The team’s multi-disciplinary approach leverages skills and tools from design thinking, behavioral science, and analytics to help tackle hard-to-solve public challenges.
The Mayor’s Office of Innovation & Performance is seeking a Data Analytics & Innovation Advisor to lead engagements with City departments with emphasis on data for more responsive, effective and accountable government. We are looking for someone to work with high-performing teams, monitor progress towards a goal, work with government and community leaders, and communicate respectfully to diverse stakeholders around a shared vision for achieving results. This position supports City departments to find impactful solutions to the complex issues facing city governments. The Advisor is curious and comfortable working with partners not only on research and design, but implementation and adoption of new processes and innovative approaches, helping the City take risks to test bold ideas, while always keeping residents in mind.
The Advisor is housed in Seattle Information Technology (IT) and is matrixed to Innovation & Performance for day-to-day management. This arrangement enables the position to work centrally with the authority of the Mayor’s Office, collaborate across departments, while using tools and standards of the Seattle IT department.
The City’s Innovation & Performance (IP) team was established in 2017, bringing together staff into a new unit focused on improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability of City government. As a multi-disciplinary team, IP works across departments and communities to incubate new insights, experiment, and deliver results for the people of Seattle. IP seeks to deliver sustainable solutions, in short-order, that can be used independently by departments after the conclusion of our projects.
You will be successful in this role if you are excited about working productively with City departments and external partners to develop creative, ambitious solutions to civic challenges.
Key responsibilities include:
- Support Mayoral and City key priorities with high-impact projects and analysis by bridging business and mission needs with technical and advanced data approaches. Support collaboration, empower City Hall and City departments, and support key action plans and sophisticated projects with program management, advanced analytics, data modeling, algorithm design, data science techniques, and collaboration.
- The main responsibility for this position is to support the development of the analytical framework for the programs that address the challenge of clean, safe, and revitalized downtown neighborhood and downtown business districts, including:
- Unlocking and connecting disparate data sources to improve program impact and decision-making through analysis, reporting, and collection of data;
- Leading and advancing cross-functional teams and collective efforts to advance data practices and conduct business metric analysis review;
- Creating data insights to inform the City’s policies and approaches and track progress on important measures;
- Using data to monitor policy changes and make recommendations on strategy development, program design, deployment of resources, and data approaches;
- Conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis to identify root causes of complex social and economic problems;
- Translating analysis and developing materials to successfully communicate research findings;
- Developing quantitative metrics and targets and tracking progress towards performance targets.
We are looking for a person with the below skills and the potential to gain others:
- A bachelor's degree in business analytics, computer science, public administration, or another closely related field, or equivalent experience.
- Two or more years of experience in a data management and/or data coordination role.
- The ability to process large, complex data sets with computational procedures in Python.
- Experience creating and maintaining reproducible procedures to download or connect to, filter, clean, and analyze data and information from multiple disparate data sources.
- Experience with business intelligence tools such as Tableau and PowerBI in a production environment and using mixed media to create visually appealing communication tools (e.g., websites, reports, and presentations).
A successful Data Analytics & Innovation Advisor:
Collaborative. Building and maintaining professional relationships with colleagues, supervisors, community partner representatives, elected officials and their staff is essential for success.
Sees the forest and the trees (and the next forest over). At times, this advisor will need to focus on a small part of a bigger picture -- without forgetting how it fits into the larger project and anticipating how it will work with the project after that. Top project managers can think ahead and to think critically, feeling empowered to ask, "has anyone considered what happens if...?"
Capable of juggling multiple things at once. Innovation & Performance is a fast-paced environment, where a team member might work on several high-priority projects at once. We value an ability to prioritize tasks and accomplish them on time.
Can learn as they go. The nature of the work means that there isn't always a clear solution. The most successful candidates can work in an environment where finding the right answer takes some time and identifying resources that can help is crucial.
Can both lead and be part of teams. Even a relatively small proposal might require input from elected officials, executive staff, department staff, policy staff, community members, and external partners. You may lead an interdepartmental team or be part of one. You will need to guide action but also independently conduct analysis and research.
Can be a number cruncher in addition to an ethnographer. Our team includes a human-centered designer and data analytics staff; a successful candidate brings an ability to gather and synthesize quantitative and qualitative data.
Application Process:We are seeking candidates that can demonstrate they have the skills listed above through a combination of their work, education, and life experience as demonstrated in their resume, sample projects, and answers to supplemental questions.
In addition to completing the application, please upload:
- Cover letter that describes your interest in and fit with this opportunity
- Current resume
Who may apply: This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The City encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.
If you have any questions or require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the selection process, please contact Naomi Recania at naomi.recania@seattle.gov.
Additional information:Salary Range: The targeted salary range for this position is $64.00-72.00/hour, depending on experience.
Benefits: The City offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.
Workplace Environment (Telework Expectation): This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. At this time, hybrid schedules require at least three days onsite per week. Individual schedules are determined by operational needs.
Background Check: This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.
Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.
The City is a drug-free workplace.
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