Analyst

The MBTA is seeking a Resiliency Projects Analyst in Boston, MA, to track climate resilience measures in capital projects and support data needs. The role involves collaborating with various departments, reviewing projects for climate vulnerability, maintaining a project database, and attending relevant meetings. This position is crucial for meeting regulatory commitments related to climate resilience and enhancing transit service against climate change disruptions.
At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, and sustainability and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Resiliency Projects Analyst within the MBTA’s Department of Energy and Environment will be responsible for tracking the inclusion of climate resilience measures and adaptation strategies in capital projects, as well as supporting the climate resilience data needs of the Authority. This work includes participating in the review of all MBTA capital projects as well as Transit Oriented Development Projects happening on or directly adjacent to MBTA property, to track each project, with the goal of ensuring each one appropriately addresses climate change vulnerability to MBTA infrastructure, land and assets.

The Resiliency Projects Analyst will work with MBTA staff within the Environmental Department, the Climate Team within the General Manager’s Office, Engineering, Capital Programs, Engineering & Maintenance, Real estate, Transit Oriented Development, Rail Road Operations & Engineering and additional staff across the agency to track projects for their resiliency components, assist with facilitating the appropriate project review for climate resilience, and respond to climate change data requests from Capital Project Managers as well as 3rd Parties. The Resiliency Projects Analyst will be expected to regularly communicate their findings within the Authority, but also prepare material for communicating with external audiences.

This is a key position will assist the MBTA in meeting its regulatory commitments and obligations under EO 569 and MEPA, as well as other State regulations focused on climate resilience. This position also directly contributes towards making transit service more resilient to disruptions from climate change. The Resiliency Projects Analyst will report to the Deputy Director of Climate Change Resiliency.

Duties & Responsibilities
• Working in concert with the Manager of Climate Resilience, the Deputy Director of Climate Resilience and other Environmental Dept staff, ensure that climate resilience is being folded into the assumptions, risks, design, and accounted for in all capital projects:
• Track capital projects in particularly climate vulnerable areas of the MBTA’s system and follow-up with project managers to ascertain how climate resilience measures are being embedded into their projects, flag projects for reviews / consultations.
• Maintain a database of capital projects (in concert with Capital Program Planning and other MBTA departments) to track resilience activities within projects or project components and to track climate resiliency-focused projects at the MBTA.
• Attend Project Development Group Meetings, as assigned, for both internal MBTA projects and external / third party TOD projects and take notes.
• Coordinate with Capital Program and Environmental Permitting to ensure consistent use of climate data in projects: Review and flag for review (as needed) policies and plans to ensure appropriate climate data references are present.
• Communicate findings from MBTA-wide review and analysis of the presence of climate resilience in Capital Projects, as well as support other MBTA Climate Resilience Communications needs:
• Create maps, graphics, and visualize findings to communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare material for reports, slideshows, presentations, and other needs in both digital and print formats.
• Use Adobe Creative Cloud Software (Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Photoshop) to develop graphics for the department to use; develop presentation templates; meet other cross-department climate change resilience communication needs.
• Working in concert with the Manager of Climate Resilience, the Deputy Director of Climate Resilience, Resiliency Data Analyst and other Environmental Dept staff, help ensure consistent climate data is being used in all capital projects:
• Stay up to date on latest climate science data, including but not limited to what is used by the Office of Climate Science within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs.
• Help direct all project managers/ MBTA staff towards using latest and most-appropriate climate science data.
• Assist with maintaining database of climate change data for the MBTA: Working in concert with Resiliency Data Analyst, help maintain relevant data sets for MBTA Climate Resilience Activities and Projects.
• Assist with collecting data generated by Climate Resilience Projects and Disseminate to appropriate departments/ teams within the MBTA.
• Coordinate information going out from the MBTA to 3rd parties about climate resilience or other climate-related inquiries:
• Assist with handling data requests from 3rd parties (especially developers) to ensure latest/ most accurate information is being disseminated.
• Participate in other program activities:
• Maintain subject matter expertise on climate resilience for transit systems and serve as internal consultant on this topic to internal resilience staff and other MBTA departments.
• Participate, as needed, in external stakeholder meetings with other state agencies, non-profits, regional planning organizations.
• Visit work sites and/or attend off-site meetings throughout the MBTA service area. Attend field trips to see infrastructure up-close and to develop knowledge of transit assets.
• Collaborate with other analysts on knowledge-sharing, cross-training, and joint support of cross-division projects.
• Maintain Right-Of-Way and all other relevant safety certifications.
• Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor or co-worker in a courteous and professional manner consistent with the Authority’s “Driven by Customer Service” quality standard.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
• Assist in the management of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Transportation, Data Science, or related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in project management and design review, urban planning, landscape architecture, architecture, engineering, analytics or other related fields.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Database and PowerPoint, Geographic Information Systems, Google Earth.
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud programs.
• Effective professional written and communication skills.
• Effective organizational, analytical, confidentiality, multi-tasking, time management, and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to effectively communicate with customers, employees and vendors.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• The ability to work effectively with a diverse workforce.
• English language skills required for the effective performance of the position.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team (or supervise, if required).

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 with an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes 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 with one of these software - Tableau, Synchro, VisSim, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with one of these visualization software: Rhino3D, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revvit, and/or Civil3D - or other equivalent software.
• Familiarity with flood modeling software such as EPASWMM, InfoWorks, PCSWMM.
• Knowledge of building systems, utilities, stormwater infrastructure.
• 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 when source material is technically complex and nuanced.
• Track record of documenting and communicating methodologies and assumptions used in analysis.
• Experience scraping data from a rudimentary environment for use in reliable and/or real-time systems, especially to create dashboards for tracking projects.
• Experience with implementing data management discipline and relying on appropriate data sources.
• Interpersonal skills or experience in stakeholder management or communications.

Job Conditions:
• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team (or supervise, if required)
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection)
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service

Disclaimers and Definitions:
• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
• Work Eligibility: Although the MBTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com .
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer . For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions .