The Position

We're hiring a Data Scientist for the Port of Portland!

Are you passionate about transforming raw data into actionable insights? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where your advanced analytic skills can drive decision-making, revenue, and innovation? We're looking for a Data Scientist to join our team and make a significant impact on our business. In this role, you'll collaborate with cross-functional teams, leverage cutting-edge technologies, and apply your expertise in data science, machine learning, and statistical modeling to solve complex problems and help shape the future of our organization.

About Us:

The Port of Portland is a gateway to the globe, we operate multiple airports, marine terminals, and business parks that connect people and passengers, drive economic growth, and improve our region's quality of life.

Your Role:

Contribute to the Port’s success by delivering research and advanced analytics to drive strategy and facilitate operational change. Plan and deliver data science projects and other data products to provide insights to Port staff, key Port partners, stakeholders, media, and the public on issues critical to the organization. And; partner with Port colleagues to advance the organization’s data culture by leading data community and stewardship activities.

Essential Job Duties

Provide a mix of research and advanced analytics products, including studies, business intelligence reporting, predictive modeling and statistical algorithms using programming languages such as Python and R to inform Port business strategy and operations.
- Use a variety of communication approaches, including data visualization and dashboards to translate complex findings into easy-to-understand concepts to achieve operational, commercial, and policy objectives.
- Develop operational plans for data science projects, aligning them with the Port’s overall business objectives.
- Collaborate with business stakeholders and IT to understand their requirements and expectations for data science projects.
- Apply equity considerations to the work and its outcomes.
- Lead Port and multi-agency project teams, consultant contracts, and project budgets.

Design and implement technical approaches to support the collection, transformation, and analysis of large-scale market research and transportation data.
Ensure data quality and integrity throughout data analysis products.
Collaborate closely with data engineers to build and optimize data pipelines, ensuring efficient data flow and model integration.
Utilize cloud-based technologies for scalable and efficient data processing.
Strengthen the Port’s data culture by providing leadership to internal communities of data and analytics practitioners across a variety of subject matters and technical areas.
Partner with colleagues to lead data governance and stewardship activities.
Promote data literacy and modern data practices to all Port staff through the provision of learning resources and other tools.
Foster a collaborative environment, encouraging cross-functional communication between data science, engineering, and business teams.
Cultivate a network of industry experts, both locally and nationally, to discover best practices for applied research and data science and position the Port as a leading practitioner in this space.
Represent the Port on industry boards, technical advisory committees, and as a speaker locally and nationally.
Present to advisory groups, elected officials and elected bodies (city councils, legislature, congressional delegation, and staff).
Identify internal and external information sources, builds effective working relationships with subject matter experts within the Port and the external marketplace

Minimum Qualifications

Education and experience:

Masters in Quantitative field such as Data Science, Engineering, Statistics, or related field. PhD is desirable.
Minimum eight (8) years of experience in Research, data analysis, or consulting. Or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience using Databricks is strongly preferred.
Industry knowledge: knowledge and understanding of the maritime, aviation, industrial development industries or other related subject areas is a plus.

Demonstrated knowledge and skills:

Demonstrate commitment to valuing differences among individuals and a passion for being inclusive. Apply an equity lens to work and deliverables.
Show the utmost respect for others and act as a team player.
Self-management: set clear goals and priorities; plan effectively, manage multiple priorities; personal/professional development.
Research and analysis: seek/acquire data and information; gain access to data and information not always readily available; reconcile and synthesize information from a variety of sources; evaluate accuracy; determine the most appropriate analysis given the business or policy context.
Visual storytelling: create and deliver visual reporting products (i.e., presentation slides, data visualization dashboards) incorporating graphical depictions of findings and data from internal and outside sources that clearly communicate key messages.
Data practitioner expertise: leverage modern data tools, such as business intelligence, data preparation and advanced analytics software to extract, transform, integrate, and automate data flows from a variety of sources for analysis, model development and implementation.
Statistical analysis: apply descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze then communicate findings.
Collaboration and value creation: communicate effectively; build key partnerships; influence, inspire and motivate others.
Critical thinking: construct and dissect arguments.
Bigger picture and strategic capabilities: business acumen, strategic thinking, sound decision making.
Anticipate internal and external customer needs; take appropriate action. Proactively seek out opinions, advice, and feedback from others.
Take initiative, introduce opportunities for change and apply innovative thinking to the work.

Supplemental and Selection Information

SELECTION PROCESS (tentative Schedule) :

A minimum qualification evaluation of education, training, and experience of submitted application packets will take place by Human Resources the week of September 9, 2024.
A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials including any responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
Our goal is to schedule virtual first round of interviews with candidates who successfully passed the SME evaluation as soon as possible.

About Us:

At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have – our three airports, four marine terminals, five business parks, and all the resources, expertise, and experience behind them – to move with purpose, connecting people with powerful opportunities and creating value for our region. We know that every person we hire, business we work with, contract we sign and decision we make is a chance to make someone’s life better. And we’ll use our power and influence to pull down barriers, unlock new opportunities, ensure more people share in our region’s success and include those who have been excluded in the past. With YOUR help – together with our partners, customers, and community – we’ll help drive meaningful change!

Do you have questions about this job?

Contact us: careers@portofportland.com

Safety: The Port promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice in accomplishing work by complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.

Diversity and Inclusion: At the Port, we don't just accept difference; we value and support it to create a culture of inclusiveness and fun. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

EEO/Affirmative Action Policy Statement: The Port of Portland is dedicated to maintaining and improving a work environment, which extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation. Employment decisions shall be made in such a manner as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination and affirmative action.

Veterans Preference: Under Oregon law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans preference when applying for Port of Portland positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans preference for this job, please provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Background Checks and Drug Testing: The Port of Portland will conduct background checks and/or drug tests for positions where such tests are required by regulation and for other safety-sensitive positions.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the Port can reasonably do so without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 503-415-6690 or email careers@portofportland.com.

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