Transportation Safety Analyst

## About the Position VHB is seeking a Data Scientist (Transportation Safety) to join its Metro DC or North Carolina offices. The selected candidate will support data-driven transportation safety, planning, and research projects for state departments of transportation, federal agencies, and local governments. The position involves working with large datasets, conducting statistical analysis, developing visualizations, and supporting research and technical documentation. Projects may include roadway safety analysis, vulnerable road user analysis, systemic safety screening, behavioral analysis, and data visualization. ## Responsibilities - Mine and analyze structured and unstructured data, including crash records, roadway inventories, demographic data, surveys, and geospatial datasets, to identify patterns, trends, and risk factors. - Apply statistical and machine-learning methods, including regression, classification, clustering, and forecasting, to transportation safety and planning problems. - Evaluate model fit and predictive performance and assess uncertainty, sensitivity, potential bias, and limitations using appropriate validation techniques. - Document methods, assumptions, and results to support review and reproducibility. - Identify and recommend new applications for existing data sources and opportunities to collect or integrate additional data. - Extract, clean, link, transform, and quality-check data from databases, APIs, spreadsheets, text files, and other systems. - Use Python, R, SQL, and related tools to automate data preparation, analysis, model execution, validation, and reporting. - Develop reusable code and maintain clear technical documentation. - Apply transportation safety methods, including crash prediction, Safety Performance Function development, before-and-after evaluation, systemic safety screening, risk scoring, and prioritization. - Prepare and distribute analytical findings through visualizations, reports, and presentations for project teams, clients, management, and technical and nontechnical audiences. - Work closely with the manager and more experienced data scientists for direction and guidance on analytical methods, missing data, model selection, and interpretation of results. - Participate in professional development activities aligned with career goals and project needs. - Perform all job functions in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and VHB policies and procedures. ## Skills and Attributes - Fundamental knowledge of statistical modeling, quantitative methods, machine learning, data mining, simulation, and advanced mathematics. - Experience applying quantitative methods to real-world problems through academic research, internships, or professional work. - Experience with technologies such as Python, Pandas, NumPy, SciPy, R, tidyverse, SQL, Tableau, Power BI, advanced Microsoft Excel, machine learning, and statistical analysis. - Ability to identify information needs, conduct research, and evaluate the quality and suitability of data sources. - Excellent problem-solving, analytical, mathematical, verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. - Ability to work effectively in ambiguous and technically challenging environments. - Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite. - Team-oriented, self-motivated, highly organized, and detail-oriented, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively. ## Qualifications - 0–2 years of experience with advanced analytics in an academic or professional setting. - Master's degree in Transportation Engineering, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or an equivalent discipline, or equivalent experience. - Applicants must be legally authorized to work for VHB in the United States without employer sponsorship. ## Compensation and Benefits The full-time annual base salary range for this position in Washington, DC and North Carolina is $85,000–$95,000. The base salary offered will be determined based on job-related factors, including geographic location, internal equity, experience, credentials, skills, education, work schedule, and other factors permitted by law. The posted salary range reflects base pay only. Eligible employees may receive annual incentive compensation bonuses, spot bonuses, and merit-based salary increases. VHB offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes eligibility to participate in the VHB 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, recognition programs, learning and development, and a flexible hybrid work environment.