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Research & Data Analyst (Policy Development and Research Division)

City of Boston
Full-time
On-site
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Overview:

The Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) works to foster healthy, vibrant, and welcoming communities for all by ensuring stable, green, and accessible housing and the sustainable use of land. MOH oversees programs that create and preserve affordable housing, support homeowners and renters, provide housing and services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and develop city-owned property. MOH envisions a Boston where all residents have the homes and neighborhoods they need to thrive.

 

The Policy Development and Research Division of the Mayor's Office of Housing supports the department by preparing essential plans and reports required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The division plays a key role in developing programs and policies, assisting with grant writing, and providing research analysis, mapping, and data services. Additionally, it oversees the citizen participation process for Boston's annual grant allocations from HUD, ensuring that public input is incorporated into the City's housing strategy. Through its work, the division helps shape effective housing policies and programs for Boston's residents.

 

Under the direct supervision of the Housing Data Manager, the Research & Data Analyst is responsible for research, data collection, and analysis to support the City of Boston's Mayor's Office of Housing policies and programs.

Responsibilities:

  • Collect, clean, and maintain key housing- and demographic-related datasets to ensure accuracy, consistency, and usability.
  • Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses on housing, demographic, and programmatic data to identify trends and inform policy decisions.
  • Develop and maintain internal dashboards, reports, and tools to track housing market conditions and departmental performance indicators.
  • Author public-facing reports, internal data memos, and data visualizations that communicate findings to policymakers, stakeholders, and the general public.
  • Perform mapping and spatial analysis of housing and demographic data using GIS tools to support policy/program evaluation.
  • Respond to internal and external data requests, ensuring timely, accurate, and accessible information delivery.
  • Collaborate with program staff and policymakers to translate analytical insights into actionable recommendations.
  • Document data sources, methods, and processes to support transparency and reproducibility.
  • Perform related work as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:

  • At least two (2) years of experience in research and quantitative data analysis or a B.A. or B.S. in urban planning, urban sociology, data analytics, statistics, or a related field preferred.
  • Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively, with strong time management and project management skills to handle multiple tasks according to stated timelines.
  • Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on details as required by the job.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in Excel, Google Suite, GIS software (ESRI preferred), and statistical software (e.g., Stata) required.
  • Experience with a database language (e.g., SQL, R, Python), database management system experience (e.g., PostgreSQL, DBeaver, R Studio, etc), Business Intelligence Software (Power BI preferred), and Salesforce preferred.
  • Familiarity with Boston neighborhoods, community development issues, and housing policy preferred.

 

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

 

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: SEIU/N-21

Hours per week: 35

 

Please refer to the Salary Information section on the Boston Career Center site for more information on compensation. For each Salary Plan, salaries are listed by Grade and Step.

 

"Please note that the Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) employees and their immediate family members are prohibited from buying or leasing City Involved Housing, with the exception of applicants

living in City Involved Housing at the time of hire at MOH. Please refer to the Policy on Employee Participation in MOH Administered Programs."

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