The PolicyMap Data Team is Hiring

by Bernie Langer

Ever go to a mapping website and then wonder what happened to the last three hours of your life? Want to work for PolicyMap? We’re looking for a new data analyst to join us in our effort to provide users with the best geographic data available. We’re looking to hire as soon as possible, so if you’re interested, send us an application. If you know anyone else who may be interested, send this posting along. To see the job description, click on “Continue reading” below. Or click here to download a PDF version.

The Reinvestment Fund
Position Description

Job Title: Data Analyst
Department: PolicyMap
Reports to: Director of Data and Product Development
FLSA Status: Exempt
Prepared Date: November 26, 2012
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Website: www.policymap.com

*Applications will be accepted through January 15, 2013

About PolicyMap

PolicyMap is The Reinvestment Fund’s national online mapping tool and platform that provides users with the ability to easily create maps, tables, chart and reports.  What began as solely a mapping tool has grown into a platform from which our clients leverage data and access their own instances of the mapping interface—either through maps on their websites or through proprietary site licenses.  Launched in 2008, we now have over 300 clients, including agencies of the Federal Government, Fortune 500 companies, major universities, non-profits, real estate firms, and the media. In our first four years, our team has built a tool with comprehensive data and features, and has established a sizable market presence.

TRF has long recognized that information drives change in all sectors: public, private, and civic — and that getting that information has not always been simple or efficient. Data and analytics need to be reliable, consistent, and relevant. They need to be readily accessible. And they need to be responsive to the issues public and civic organizations are trying to understand. Changes in technology and the advent of online mapping applications are creating a new opportunity for the public and civic sectors to increase their ability to use and share good data and analytics to inform decisions.

Position Summary

PolicyMap seeks a Data Analyst to contribute to the Data and Product Development Team by sourcing, acquiring, maintaining and curating data for our online data and geospatial mapping services, including data concerning housing, poverty, and health, to name a few.  The Data Analyst has direct contact with existing PolicyMap clients and potential clients and is responsible for interpreting their needs and providing a work product consistent with the expectations of the client and of the Team.  This role also requires candidates who are invested in and enthusiastic about providing attention to detail to the PolicyMap platform by testing beta products and QA of the various PolicyMap products, which include our main site, our major client projects, and our API offering.

Reporting to the Director of Data and Product Development, the Data Analyst will research and procure datasets, analyze, and process them using ArcGIS and MS SQL Server Management Studio or MS Access.  He/she needs to have strong writing skills and the ability to translate technical data descriptions into user friendly text accessible to our spectrum of users.

The Data and Product Development Team is a collective work effort in which attention to detail and enthusiasm for our products and for our clients are core values.  We work well independently, and we take ownership of our individual workloads, while leveraging the strengths of all our team members through collaboration. The 4-person data team is agile, creative, and uses the best tools and approaches at hand for each task.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Data Set Processing

  • Research and procure large and small public, proprietary, and subscriber datasets
  • Process data using MS SQL Server Management Studio, MS Access and ArcGIS
  • Communicate with development team to ensure data appears properly in PolicyMap
  • Author documentation of process and dataset indicators
  • Provide validation and quality assurance of datasets
  • Validate other team members’ datasets

Client Services

  • Manage custom project work, working iteratively with larger clients, from initial scope development to final deliverable
  • Serve as primary client contact for many of PolicyMap’s subscribers and larger clients
  • Advise clients with preparation of their subscriber dataset, separate mapping interface and/or site license

Other

  • Participate in testing beta versions
  • Brainstorm with team about new functionality and site improvements
  • Contribute to biweekly blog posting

Education, Experience and Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Bachelor’s degree required with preference for Master’s Degree in urban planning, public policy, health services research, economics, public health, anthropology, sociology, demography or other related fields
  • Two years’ commensurate work experience required (can include internships)
  • Experience in applied social research and/or community development
  • Excellent technical and compositional writing skills
  • Experience using federal data, such as U.S. Census and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
  • Demonstrated proficiency and experience in GIS (ArcView), MS Access, Excel, and one or more statistical software programs (SQL, SPSS, SAS, R)
  • Strong project management skills
  • Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills

Competencies:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

  • Ownership/Accountability – Actively manages work and issues through to completion.
  • Customer Service – Understands and manages customer expectations.
  • Initiative – Anticipates and communicates challenges and opportunities.
  • Commitment – Demonstrates sense of passion and urgency for work, mission and organization.
  • Adaptability – Sees opportunity and risk for continuous improvement.
  • Efficiency and Productivity – Determines priorities and allocates time and focus accordingly.
  • Professional/Technical Expertise – Understands and applies technical/procedural knowledge of job.

Additional but not necessary competencies:

  • Enthusiasm for public transit
  • Curiosity about emerging technologies
  • Investment in urban life

Compensation and Benefits:

TRF offers a competitive salary based on experience and skills, as well as an excellent benefits package including employer-paid health, disability and life insurance, 401(k) savings plan with employer match, flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care, and transportation), tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off, and EAP program.

To Apply

Please mail, email, or fax resume with cover letter, salary requirement, and research and/or writing sample by January 15, 2013 to:

Human Resources
The Reinvestment Fund
1700 Market Street, 19th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
hr@trfund.com
215-574-5900 fax

The Reinvestment Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  TRF does not discriminate in hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, national origin, non-job related disability, or status as a veteran.  Minority candidates are encouraged to apply.

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