Operations Analyst

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, sustainability, and culture. 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 Light Rail Transportation Operations Analyst will support the Light Rail leadership team by collecting, analyzing, and reporting on operational and safety data. This role will help analyze and summarize information and data into clear, actionable insights to support safe and reliable light rail operations service.

The Operations Analyst position will design, build, and maintain data and tools that help Light Rail Transportation continuously improve and modernize. In coordination with the Light Rail Transportation and other analytics teams, this role will contribute to data-driven decision-making with a focus on safety, service, and process improvement.

Duties & Responsibilities

Data Collection & Management

• Collect, clean, validate, and maintain data from multiple sources.
• Monitor field operations as needed better to understand performance, equipment usage, and operating conditions.
• Identify patterns in data inconsistencies and support root cause analysis to improve data reliability.
• Support improvements in data collection processes and validation standards.

Analysis & Reporting

• Perform basic statistical and trend analyses using modern data analysis and visualization tools.
• Assist in identifying and summarizing trends in incidents, performance metrics, and other operational data.
• Conduct data reviews to support root cause analysis and identify areas for improvement.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc reports and dashboards that summarize incidents, trends, and key performance indicators for Light Rail leadership.

Dashboards & Visualization

• Develop and maintain dashboards and visualizations that track safety metrics, incidents, injury reports, and service performance.
• Ensure dashboards and reporting tools are accurate, up to date, and user-friendly.
• Support adoption of dashboards and reports by guiding frontline staff and leadership as needed.

Operational Support

• Analyze and summarize data in response to regulatory requests.
• Maintain and enhance dashboards and reports tracking incidents, accidents, rule violations, and safety metrics.
• Evaluate the impacts of new technologies on the Light Rail system.
• Analyze data from monitoring systems to identify trends in behavior and system performance.

• Support integration of new data systems into existing reporting and operational workflows.

• Conduct operational studies to support service standardization and improvement.
• Identify opportunities to improve system efficiency, capacity, and safety through data-driven insights.
• Communicate findings and recommendations clearly to Light Rail leadership and frontline staff.
• Support internal and external audits by gathering, compiling, and organizing required data.
• Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of safety initiatives and operational improvement efforts.

• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include a focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location-specific functions.

• None

• This job posting will close once it reaches 200 applications or after 2 weeks , whichever comes first. As part of the interview process, an Excel assessment may be required.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

• Two (2) years of full-time work, equivalent part-time, or internship/co-op experience in data science, business analytics, business intelligence, quantitative analysis, or other related fields.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. As part of the interview process, an Excel assessment may be required.
• Experience in at least one approach to advanced data analysis (e.g., SQL, Python, R, SPSS, GIS, or other).
• Have the ability to learn quickly, take direction, work independently, and use creative and collaborative approaches to resolve issues.
• Effective organizational, analytical, multi-tasking, and time management skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Have the ability to work effectively with a diverse workforce.
• Have the ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences
• Have the ability to supervise or work effectively with a diverse workforce
• Successful applicants must have the English language skills required for the effective performance of the position.
• As part of the interview process, a job-related assessment may be 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 relational databases (e.g., Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Oracle), including writing queries to obtain and manipulate data.
• Experience with Python, Excel VBA, or other programming languages, and/or data management and statistical analysis tools (R, SPSS, STATA, SAS, etc.).
• Experience with Tableau or other visualization software.
• Familiarity with transportation planning and transit systems, particularly the MBTA subway and bus network.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• 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 diverse workforce 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 current student or 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 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.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

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 Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.

• 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: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees 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 [email protected].

• 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.

• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.