Research and Data Analyst

This position is based on site in Bremerton, WA and is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement upon completion of probation.
Salary: $8,092.93 - $10,881.87 Monthly

Under general supervision, leads the Marketing department’s research needs in priority areas, including customer experience, ridership growth and marketing campaigns. This position will collaborate across departments and use data to identify, develop and communicate key performance indicators, trends, forecasts and business opportunities. 

Leads marketing research to understand customer needs and develops strategies for the growing use of Kitsap Transit’s services.  Uses a wide range of research methods, data processing techniques and rigorous analysis to describe and monitor sources of demand, demand patterns, customer pain points, ridership growth opportunities and challenges.

Analyzes marketing efforts to optimize effectiveness of strategies used to reach and engage target audiences. Studies market trends to determine how best the agency can respond to emerging trends and patterns.  Analyzes customer feedback, survey data and other data sources to monitor and evaluate impact of marketing activities and service changes on customer satisfaction, customer experience and community relations.

Identifies data requirements for research projects, collects the required data, performs ETL (extract, transform, and load) processes and uses statistical and analytical techniques to answer business questions, inform field research, and develop insights to assist the agency in decision making. Data sources may include and is not limited to surveys, field observations, focus groups, interviews, website analytics, internal data sources, census data, geospatial data, and external data sources (including web APIs).

Produces, maintains and queries databases and/or data warehouses using SQL. Conducts data analysis, performs data cleaning and management with Python and/or R. Automates tasks with scripts using Python or other languages. Creates maps and GIS data products using ArcGIS Pro. Produces interactive data visualizations and dashboards using Power BI and/or Tableau.

Collects, analyzes and presents data on paid, earned, shared, and owned (PESO) media; transit agency ridership; service quality/performance; customer feedback/satisfaction; customer-journey maps; market demand; and channel performance; and other priority areas as assigned, with an eye towards recommending changes to improve performance and customer experience.

This position reports to the Marketing and Public Information Director.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to frame business questions into data analysis problems and informed decision-making.
• Advanced proficiency in data validation, manipulation (i.e. cleaning, filtering, aggregation, joining, preprocessing data), and visualization using Excel, Microsoft Power Query, Power BI, Tableau, Python and/or R. Proficient in writing scripts in Python or other languages to automate tasks.
• Advanced proficiency in designing and maintaining dashboards with Power BI and/or Tableau.
• Advanced GIS knowledge and proficiency in ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro.
• Network analysis, geoprocessing tools, ArcGIS Experience Builder, and Field Maps.
• JavaScript, HTML, CSS and Leaflet for developing web maps.
• Intermediate proficiency in scraping data from the web through APIs and HTTP requests.
• Cloud platforms like Azure Cloud, Google Cloud/Maps, or Amazon Web Services (AWS).
• Proficiency in basic statistical concepts and descriptive analysis; inferential statistics; and hypothesis testing. 
• Proficiency in using IDEs (i.e. Microsoft Visual Studio) and version-control tools (i.e. Git, GitHub).
• Intercept interviews, customer-journey mapping, marketing research and/or customer segmentation analysis.
• Willingness to stay abreast of the evolving state of practice in data analysis and continuous learning to improve knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team and prioritize workload to accomplish tasks with defined timelines in a fast-paced environment.
• Project management skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information effectively to diverse audiences through reports and presentations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. 

Kitsap Transit employees who wish to apply must have a satisfactory performance and attendance record.  Kitsap Transit Operators with any of the following criteria in the last twelve months are excluded from recruitment opportunities: 

• a current Decision-Making Leave or higher in the Safety category
• more than two held customer complaints 
• more than four unscheduled absences
• more than two late reports

Education and Experience:  

Bachelor’s degree in business analytics, marketing, planning, social science, computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, data analytics, statistics, math, physics, human-centered design and engineering, transportation engineering, engineering, economics, environmental studies, geography, or a closely related field AND two years of increasingly responsible experience in data analysis, data engineering, digital marketing/advertising, demographic/behavioral research, or transportation planning; OR at least six years of demonstrated experience in any of the fields listed above which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the work effectively and efficiently.  Experience working with cloud platforms like Azure Cloud, Google Cloud/Maps, or Amazon Web Services (AWS) as well as relational databases and MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL or Oracle are highly desirable.

Licenses and Certifications: The following certifications are highly desirable:

• Tableau Certified Data Analyst
• Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
• Meta Marketing Analytics Professional Certificate
• Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate
• ESRI ArcGIS Pro Professional Certificate
• Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals Certificate
• Data Engineer Associate Certificate.

Salary Range:  The Salary for this position is: $8,092.93 - $10,881.87 Monthly, commensurate with experience. Initial appointments are usually made at Step 1 ($46.69).  Employees typically progress from Step 1 to Step 2 at six-months from their hire date and annually thereafter with satisfactory job performance. Step increases are based on a seven-step progression in each pay range with each step being approximately 5% higher than the previous step. Kitsap Transit additionally pays longevity pay at 15 years, 20 years and 25 years.

Benefits:  Full-time employees receive a generous benefits package including subsidized medical insurance and fully paid dental insurance for employee and dependents, as well as disability insurance and life insurance.  This position participates in the Washington State Public Employees’ Retirement Plan with the option of participating in a state administered deferred compensation plan. Employees receive a generous general leave accrual and 11 holidays pro-rated based on the number of hours worked per pay period up to a maximum of 80 hours per pay period. Kitsap Transit also provides employees and certain dependents with a free transportation pass on Kitsap Transit.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:  

Positions in this class typically require:  Positions in this class typically require: dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other equipment talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.   Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.  Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met. Regional travel may be required. May need to work weekends and outside regular office hours.

Selection Process:  After evaluating the completed application packets, we will invite the most qualified applicants to the next step in the recruitment process.  We will not make any hiring decisions until all steps in the selection process are completed, including reference and background checks. Kitsap Transit does not pay any relocation costs.

To Apply:  https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kitsaptransit.  Please contact Janel Silver in the Human Resources Department at (360) 473-1138 if you have any questions.

Closing Date: Your completed application must be submitted online. This position is open until filled.

• Selective certification may be used to achieve affirmative action goals. You can find Kitsap Transit’s EEO Policy at https://www.kitsaptransit.com/uploads/pdf/eeo-policy-statement.pdf Please contact Marianne Rajan, Human Resources Manager at (360) 478-5852 if you have any questions.
• Kitsap Transit is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the hiring process, contact jobapplada@kitsaptransit.com or 360-479-4348 (TDD).
• If you qualify for the Veterans Scoring Criteria under RCW 41.04.005 and 41.04.010, you must answer all questions regarding Veterans Scoring Criteria Status Declaration in the application and upload a copy of the substantiating document as listed in the application.
• Kitsap Transit is subject to the requirements of the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and CFR Part 40 & Part 655, which prohibits the use of marijuana at any time while employed by Kitsap Transit.