Data Scientist Lead

JOB LOCATION 15001 E Alameda Pkwy Aurora, Colorado 80012-1554 City of Aurora, Colorado It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity , Respect, Professionalism , and Customer Service , and we welcome all who share these values to apply. Why Work for Aurora? Make a difference in the lives of real people every day Diverse community Competitive total compensation package Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan Light rail station minutes away On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement Access to innovation workspaces PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES The salary range for this position is $ 82,918.80 - $103,648.50 / annually. The d e adline to submit applications is July 20th, 2024 , at 11:59 PM. Please note, the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine a qualified pool of applicants exists, this position may be closed without notice. This position is fulltime in office, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT This position is in the Aurora Police Department (APD), Performance Standards. The incumbent serves as the Lead Data Scientist and is responsible to support department operations, consent decree and accreditation compliance, and conduct data analysis related to quality assurance efforts. Additionally, this individual helps ensure a cohesive approach and strategy for collecting, analyzing, and reporting departmental data and serves as a link to each of APD's operational divisions. The individual provides overall strategic leadership, research capabilities, and guidance related to data and intelligence operations. The Data Scientist Lead as a civilian (or career service) member of the Standards Section of the Aurora Police Department (APD) supports department operations, consent decree and accreditation compliance, and conduct data analysis related to quality assurance efforts. In addition, the successful incumbent ensures a cohesive approach and strategy for collecting, analyzing, and reporting departmental data, and serves as a link to each operational division within APD. As well as provides overall strategic leadership, research capabilities, and guidance related to data and intelligence operations. PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Provides confidential and high-level support and advice to the Chief of Police and senior agency officials regarding responsibilities for managing and directing complex and highly sensitive APD programs. Frequently interacts with the agency's operational commanders to understand current trends, operations, and data. Manages major issues and topical areas involving the agency, with particular emphasis on those projects and issues relating to broad agency initiatives and quality assurance of operational focus areas. Manages comprehensive research studies including working with department stakeholders to identify and outline operational needs and requirements; developing surveys and collection models; and gathering and reviewing programmatic and statistical data. Conducts best practice reviews of other law enforcement agencies and academic resources on current and emerging policing policies, initiatives, and compliance evaluations. Provides oversight on data collection and documentation related to tracking and evaluation of implementation of programs developed and initiated by the Chief of Police and/or senior leadership. Serves as an expert advisor and liaison to Executive Command Staff and external stakeholders on police department data. Provides expertise on a broad range of current and evolving technologies. Prepares presentations for the Chief of Police and senior officials to ensure data is accurate and consistent. Develops and prepares statements, reports, charts, and other written material related to the day-to-day operations and functions of the Department. Audits internal processes and identifies areas of non-compliance or opportunities for improvements. Mines and analyzes complex and unconstructed data sets using advanced statistical methods for use in data driven decision making. Performs research, analysis, and modeling on organizational data. Develops and applies algorithms or models to key business metrics with the goal of improving operations or answering business questions. Provides findings and analysis for use in decision making. Performs other related duties as assigned. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in criminology, criminal justice, applied mathematics, statistics, data science or directly related field. Individuals who have achieved or are working towards a Ph.D. with an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may supplement completed higher education for experience requirements. Experience: Four (4) years of work experience in policy research and development, implementation, or evaluation science. Preferred Experience: Experience working within or in collaboration with law enforcement agencies. Experience using and analyzing complex law enforcement data from multiple sources. Preferred Knowledge: Knowledge of law enforcement data collection procedures. Knowledge of statistical analysis methodologies appropriate for answering complex questions about law enforcement impacts on public safety. Skills: Strong interpersonal skills. Skill in the use of office equipment, personal computers, and software applications related to assigned function. Abilities: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizens. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Work collaboratively across APD units. Plan, prioritize and schedule work unit operations. Licenses and Certifications: Driver License with clean Motor Vehicle Report Essential Personnel: When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel. Physical Demands: Light physical work that involves moving and/or lifting no more than 10 pounds with or without assistance at a time. Occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing. Hand/eye coordination to operate office equipment. Vision for reading and interpreting documents and other written information. Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens. Memory to retain updated processes, complete tasks that are important but infrequent and highly technical. Critical thinking to navigate technical tasks; use resources when unsure and Lead or Supervisor is unavailable. Professional judgment to ensure confidential information remains protected. Work Environment: Essential duties performed primarily in an indoor office, public area setting. Work rotating shifts including weekends and holidays. Candidates should be prepared to work a swing shift and a full or partial weekend as their assigned shift. The schedule will be determined once the qualified candidate is hired and will reflect the needs of the department. Equipment Used: Frequently uses computer keyboard and telephone, fax machines, copiers and other equipment, scanners, time stamp machine, and point of sale system. This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment. For Veterans preference : Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application. The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission. Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired. Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References: As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.