Senior Data Scientist (2-Year Temp Position with Potential for Permanent Hire)
Salary
$88,566.40 - $143,707.20 Annually
Location
390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN
Job Type
Temporary Long Term (up to 2 years)
Job Number
2026-00158
Division
Community Development
Department
Research
Opening Date
05/29/2026
Closing Date
6/21/2026 11:59 PM Central
WHO WE ARE
We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.
We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
The Community Development division is responsible for the Councils regional long-range planning efforts; planning and technical assistance to local governments; planning for and funding the regional parks and open space system; delivering rent assistance through the Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority; and delivering the Livable Communities Act grant programs.
The Community Development Research department collects, disseminates, and analyzes quantitative and qualitative data about demographic trends and inequities, development patterns, climate change, parks visitation, long-range forecasts, and the regional economy. We believe research can improve the lives of residents in our region and see our skills, creativity, and platforms as resources to further shared understanding about regional issues that matter.
This position is part of the Strategy and Product Design team, a specialized group within the research department. We center people, integrate equity, and transform technical into accessible through-and by-design. All team members are skilled in data visualization, committed to web accessibility, and leverage user experience (UX) design principles and product-thinking to develop and deliver digital research products.
How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
The Senior Data Scientist will directly support the research department's mission to provide relevant, timely, and accessible data about the Twin Cities region to the public and organization through two key assignments: 1) a modernization of Community Profiles (an interactive application on Metropolitan Council's public website) and 2) the design and development of the Imagine 2050 Outcomes Measurement Program dashboard (an expansive regional trend monitoring program). Both projects will generate innovative digital research products that are guided by user experience (UX) research and use data visualization best practices.
The Senior Data Scientist will be responsible for data transformations and statistical modeling applied to a variety of data sources and types (e.g. time-series, spatial, etc.). Given the research department's recent adoption of a new, unified cloud-based analytics platform (Azure Databricks), the best-qualified candidate will also have technical knowledge of data modeling and/or experience collaborating with data engineering teams in the context of developing web based, interactive applications or similar digital products.
What you would do in this job
Produce data assets for digital research content
Build and support digital research products
What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)
Any of the following combinations in completed education (degree field of study in Mathematics, Applied Data Analytics, Data Science, Computer Science, Social Sciences, or another related quantitative field) and experience (in advanced data analysis and statistical modeling; developing web based interactive applications or similar digital research products for data visualization or modeling; applied data modeling or engineering):
What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):
What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:
Knowledge of:
Skilled in:
Ability to:
What you can expect from us:
More about why you should join us!
Additional information
Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade H
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
What your work environment would be:
You would perform your work in a standard office setting.
What steps the recruitment process involves:
Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:
If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only) and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.
If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job youre applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.
IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.
The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.
If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.
We believe our employees are a key to our agencys success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:
The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:
01
Applicant Instructions: It is important that your application shows all relevant education and experience you possess. The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience, and determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely and please do not type "see resume." Otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attach a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding my application and supplemental questions.
02
How did you first hear about this job opening?
03
If you selected "other," please describe where you first heard about this job. If you selected "employee referral," please enter the employees first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title.
04
Cover letters will be reviewed for this position. Did you attach one?
05
A data visualization sample will be reviewed for this position. Did you attach one? Note: You must submit this sample as a PDF file. Any other document, image, webpage, links, or BI-generated file types will NOT be accepted (including-but not limited to-.doc, .docx, .gsheet., jpeg, .png, .html, .htm, .twbx, app.R,?or ui.R).
06
Please select the option that best reflects your combination of education and experience. Education in one or more of the following fields: Mathematics, Applied Data Analytics, Data Science, Computer Science, Social Sciences (e.g., demography, economics, geography, sociology), or another related quantitative field; AND Experience in one or more the following areas: 1) Advanced data analysis and statistical modeling, such as regression, machine learning, econometric modeling, and complex data manipulation; 2) Developing web based, interactive tools or applications for data visualization and/or modeling that integrate database systems; 3) Applied data modeling or engineering.
07
Please select all areas in which you have experience and are proficient in.
08
Describe your experience with research project(s) that involved 1) new data pipeline(s), modeling, or engineering, and 2) advanced statistical methods. In your response, include the questions or goals of the research, your specific role, and the steps you took to fulfill the data requirement(s) over the course of the project(s), and the outcome or findings. If you do not have relevant experience in this area, type "N/A".
09
Describe at least one specific example of how you have advanced racial equity, collaborated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and/or contributed to inclusive practices or outcomes in a professional setting. If you do not have a relevant example, type "N/A".
10
Describe your data visualization/visual analytics "toolkit"-meaning your development process, coding language(s) or software(s) used, and anything else you consider in when completing work like this. In your response, use specific example(s) and where those experience(s) took place, as well as your overall assessment of your own toolkit's strengths and limitations. If you do not have relevant experience in this area, type "N/A".
11
Describe what you consider to be your most positive and/or effective experience collaborating with others in a professional setting. In your response, include your specific role and those of the other team members, shared frameworks, methods, or software used (if any), and any other norms or practices that contributed to the success of the collaboration. If you do not have a relevant example, type "N/A".
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The Metropolitan Council recognizes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and generative tools are increasingly used in application processes. While the Council permits the use of AI to assist in the preparation of application materials, all applicants must certify both statements:
Required Question
Employer Metropolitan Council
Address 390 Robert St. N.
St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101
Website https://metrocouncil.org