Data & GIS Manager (71101) at Pratt Institute – Brooklyn, New York

ABOUT PRATT CENTER FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PRATT INSTITUTE
Founded in 1963, Pratt Center for Community Development is a non-profit organization that is housed within Pratt Institute. Pratt Center brings research, policy, planning and community engagement expertise to community organizations that are working on the frontlines to make New York City strong, equitable and sustainable. In recent years, Pratt Center has collaborated with long-term community partners on efforts to strengthen tenant rights, facilitate community-led planning across the city, launch a climate justice program to retrofit homes for low-income people in Brooklyn, and expand the Made in NYC initiative, which supports local makers and small manufacturers. Pratt Center is part of a robust research and strategic partnerships unit in academic affairs reporting to the Provost, with offices in the The Research Yard.

Founded in 1887, Pratt Institute is a global leader in higher education dedicated to preparing its 4,700 undergraduate and graduate students for successful careers in art, design, architecture, information, and liberal arts and sciences.

ABOUT THE POSITION
Pratt Center for Community Development is seeking a data analyst and researcher with strong data analysis and visualization skills to join our team as Data & GIS Manager.

The Data & GIS Manager will report to the Director of Research & Policy and work in close collaboration with program staff, as well as the communications team, to support the development of research, reports, and educational tools on housing, land use, climate, and other community-based planning issues.
Responsibilities:
The Data & GIS Manager will be responsible for data gathering, analysis, and mapping, and providing technical assistance for projects focused on community-based planning, climate, housing, and economic and racial justice. In close collaboration with program staff and community partners, the Data & GIS Manager will create maps and other data visualizations and interactive tools to be included in reports, popular education materials, and other products for community-based organizations and coalitions to use in their planning and advocacy work.

Research Design

• Collaborate with program staff to develop research questions, scopes, and methodologies that support Pratt Center’s strategic policy and planning goals and the needs of our community partners.
• Design quantitative, qualitative, and geographic data collection projects and tools such as surveys, in collaboration with program staff.

Data Analysis and Visualization

• Utilize ArcGIS, web mapping tools, and graphic design software to deliver high-quality data collection, analysis, and visualizations with a focus on community planning, climate, housing, and economic justice.
• Create spatial data and analyses from various tabular sources, including U.S. Census data and a range of New York City and State land use, housing, and other public datasets (such as ACRIS, MapPluto, NY Courts data, etc.).
• Conduct analyses using original data from surveys and community mapping projects.
• Design professional quality maps using ArcGIS and coordinate the visualization of data in policy and planning reports.
• Develop simple interactive mapping and visualization tools for partners (using Tableau, ArcGIS Story Maps, Leaflet, or other software).

Data Management, Data Sharing, and Education

• Develop and oversee Pratt Center’s data management systems and practices, ensure proper documentation for all Pratt Center research projects, manage our spatial data library, and advise on applicable software and technology resources.
• Share datasets and research products with community partners and provide assistance to ensure accessibility of these products.
• Provide technical support and education to community partners, staff, and other collaborators on the use of data and research tools produced.

Organizational Planning and Other Tasks

• Supervise and train interns and fellows working on data and related projects.
• Participate in organization strategy meetings, events, and team-building activities.
• Represent Pratt Center in public spaces and events, on occasion.
• Support additional quantitative and qualitative projects for Pratt Center and our partners as needed.

Education & Experience
Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy, Geography, Data Science, or related field, and at least 3 years of relevant work experience conducting research and data analysis. Strong candidates with a B.A. and at least 5 years of relevant work experience will be considered.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following experience and skills:

• Geospatial analysis and data visualization, including proficiency in statistical and GIS software such as ArcGIS, Stata, R, and proficiency with Excel;
• Proficiency in R or Python;
• Experience and comfort working with large public datasets; experience working with ACRIS data, PLUTO, evictions, and foreclosure data, and Census data a plus;
• Experience visualizing data and developing research products accessible to broad audiences;
• Creative and collaborative approach to designing and conducting research;
• Commitment to racial, economic, and social justice and equitable urban planning and policy.

The most successful candidates will also have the following skills and experience:

• Experience using Tableau, ArcGIS Story Maps, Leaflet, or other software to create interactive data and mapping tools;
• Familiarity with New York City neighborhoods and local housing and land use policy issues
• Experience collaborating with graphic designers;
• Experience conducting research in a policy, nonprofit, and/or advocacy setting.

This position is 100% grant-funded and is renewable upon budgetary approval. The position will be based in New York City and is hybrid. Currently Pratt Center staff are onsite 2 days/week, and remote 3 days/week but that is subject to change.