AI - Research Scientist

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) is the largest Fire Department in the United States and universally is recognized as the world's busiest and most highly skilled emergency response agency. The Department's main goal is to provide fire protection, emergency medical care, and other critical public safety services to residents and visitors in the five boroughs.

FDNY members are sworn to serve and protect life and property and the Department works to continually educate the public in fire, life safety and disaster preparedness, along with enforcing public safety codes. Since its inception in 1865, FDNY has helped lead efforts to make New York the safest big city in the nation. This accomplishment requires a steadfast and daily commitment to maintaining the Department's core values.

The FDNY Bureau of Management Analysis and Planning (MAP) is headed by an Assistant Commissioner and reports to the Fire Commissioner. MAP's core responsibilities include measuring, tracking and analyzing the Department's strategic objectives, day-to-day operations and emergency responses to protect lives and property. Within MAP, the Analytics team fulfills two primary functions: 1) Operations research to improve decision-making using big data and advanced analytical methods, including machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques, optimization algorithms, simulation and statistical analyses. 2) Reporting to end users by ensuring data quality, reviewing metrics for internal and external reports, creating dashboards and completing ad-hoc data requests.

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) seeks a full-time City Research Scientist IV in the Bureau of Management Analysis & Planning. Reporting directly to the Assistant Commissioner, with wide latitude for independent initiative & judgment, the AI Technician-Research Scientist will assist senior leadership in making evidence-based decisions, and by communicating research progress, outcomes, and challenges.

Responsibilities include identifying research areas based on goals and trends and ensuring that projects are aligned with organizational objectives. Establishing and maintaining collaborations with external partners, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders. Encouraging and driving the development of cutting-edge algorithms, models, and techniques.

Ensuring the quality and rigor of research methodologies and results facilitating the transfer of research outcomes into real-world applications and products. Provide mentorship with the ability to inspire and foster a collaborative and innovative research environment.

Minimum Qualifications

1.For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.

To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have:

1.A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or

2.A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or

3.Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.

NOTE:

Probationary Period

Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

Preferred Skills

Candidate must be an excellent communicator, team player and exhibit a willingness to learn and work well in diverse teams. Excellent at communicating findings and providing pragmatic analytical solutions.

Advanced degree in Operations Research, Statistics, Computer Science, Management Science, or a related field that includes research methods and statistical analysis. Demonstrated ability in programming and logic a good understanding of data requirements relating to applications design. Expert ability in operations research and statistical methods and techniques, including deployment analysis and resource allocation modeling, systems/operations analysis, simulation and optimization (linear and nonlinear), predictive analytics (e.g. deep learning), econometrics, time series/forecasting, vehicle routing and related skills.

Experience conducting high-level quantitative research/and mathematical modeling. Expertise in statistical/simulation/optimization packages such as C#, Python, R, SAS, STATA. Management experience and strong people skills with a focus on customer service. Providing expert judgement in the use and incorporation of analytics, including being well versed in the analytics industry, best practices, literature, Operations Research and Emergency Response and Deployment analytics.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.