Polling Data Scientist

Key Skills

Data Modelling, Data science techniques, Google Dataflow, Machine learning techniques, Python Programming, SQL

Job Description

About BlueLabs

BlueLabs is a leading provider of analytics services and technology for a variety of industry clients: including government, business, and political campaigns. We help our clients optimize their engagements with individual customers, supporters, and stakeholders to achieve their goals. Simply put: we help our partners do the most good by getting the most from their data. 

Today, our team of data analysts, scientists, engineers, and strategists come together from diverse backgrounds to share a passion for using data to solve the world’s greatest social and analytical challenges. We’ve served more than 400 organizations ranging from government agencies, advocacy groups, unions, political campaigns, international groups, and companies. Along the way, we’ve developed some of the most innovative tools available in analytics, media optimization, reporting, and influencer outreach-- serving a diverse set of industries, including the automotive, travel, consumer packaged goods, entertainment, healthcare, media, telecom, and more.

About the Team:

The BlueLabs Polling Team specializes in survey data collection to provide strategic advice to our clients. We work closely with client teams and data scientists to design and implement survey programs that power our analysis and messaging recommendations. Our focus is on understanding what motivates people to vote, buy a product, hold an opinion, and whether campaigns are successful. Operating in a fast-paced, impact-oriented environment, our collaborative team engages across teams in support of our clients’ objectives. We excel at defining complex challenges, creatively sourcing data, and driving progress every day. We work in changing, ambiguous environments, and are at the forefront of addressing the most challenging issues facing the survey research industry today.

About the Role:

A Polling Data Scientist is expected to use a combination of statistics, programming, and domain knowledge to solve problems, focused on creating the methodological backbone for our general purpose products, but also lean in on client projects. They have strong technical skills and are also creative thinkers who are always looking to innovate and deliver value to our clients. They aren’t afraid of messy data, and are comfortable working in a fast paced, production-oriented environment. Our team members receive strong mentorship and are given a chance to complete projects independently. The Polling Data Scientist is both a subject matter expert and a team leader. This position reports to the Director of Polling.

What You’ll Do:

• Work with the Director of Polling on the design, implementation, and delivery of survey products and services
• Develop and maintain internal software tools and systems to support the collection, processing, and analysis of survey data
• Own the predictive modeling process from ingestion to deployment for key internal models
• Ensure the data and modeling results meet requirements for quality and work with the team to clean, transform, aggregate, and report on data as needed
• Collaborate with engineers, data scientists, program managers and external stakeholders to troubleshoot problems and proactively create solutions
• Collaborate with data engineers and analysts to optimize data infrastructure and pipelines, ensuring efficient and reliable data flow
• Assist in the design and execution of experiments and surveys, including sample selection, data collection, and weighting
• Ensure team excellence by documenting processes and evangelizing new approaches
• Work both independently and as part of a team to deliver accurate products on short deadlines

Who You Are:

• You have a proven track record using data-driven solutions to improve social outcomes - and bring a multidisciplinary approach to doing so. 
• You have experience that mastered a variety of skills: whether thinking strategically about how to develop an enduring process, digging deep into a complex data analysis, or putting yourself in the shoes of an end-user to answer a question they didn’t know they had - you’re comfortable thinking from a number of different perspectives
• You are able to anticipate questions from your stakeholders while remaining objective in how you approach their unique challenges. You are experienced deriving value from imperfect data, but also know when to push the emergency stop button. 

What We Are Seeking:

• Experience working in a quantitative production environment or a postgraduate degree in a quantitative field
• Experience with and ability to apply knowledge of foundations of statistics and modeling (distributions, parameter estimation, confidence intervals and tests, etc.)
• Experience working with survey data, and a solid understanding of sampling techniques and survey design 
• Advanced understanding of Python. Experience with other statistical programming languages is also useful
• Experience building predictive models using regression and machine learning techniques
• Ability to manipulate data with SQL
• Proven experience creating analytics output within a production-oriented team
• Ability to effectively communicate and present technical concepts to a non-technical audience, both in writing and verbally
• Experience creating and delivering informative and engaging data visualizations using industry leading tools
• Leadership competencies in the following: empathy, active listening, coaching/feedback, integrity, decisiveness, and problem solving
• In order to be qualified for this position you must currently have or be able to obtain and maintain a Federal Public Trust security clearance, which requires either US Citizenship or three (3) of five (5) years of US residency

What We Offer:

BlueLabs offers a friendly work environment and competitive benefits package including:

• Premier health insurance plan
• 401K matching
• Unlimited vacation leave
• Paid sick, personal, and volunteer leave
• 13 paid holidays
• 15 weeks paid parental leave
• Professional development stipend & tuition reimbursement
• Macbook Pro laptop & tech accessories
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) stipend for mobile device
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Supportive & collaborative culture 
• Flexible working hours
• Remote friendly (within the U.S.)
• Pre-tax transportation options for commuting to our office in Washington, DC
• Lunches and snacks
• And more! 

The salary for this position is $80,000 annually. 

The salary range for candidates who meet the minimum posted qualifications reflects the Company’s good faith understanding and belief as to the wage range, and is accurate as of the date of this job posting.

While we have an office in Washington, DC, we are open to considering candidates from within the U.S. 

To protect the health and safety of our workforce, as a company policy, BlueLabs strongly encourages all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to beginning employment. BlueLabs adheres to all federal, state and local COVID-19 vaccination regulations. Except where prohibited by law, applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment will be required to produce proof of vaccination status prior to their first day of employment; if not the offer may be rescinded or employment terminated. BlueLabs will evaluate requests for reasonable accommodations for applicants unable to be vaccinated due to a religious belief, disability, pregnancy, or on an individualized basis in accordance with applicable laws.

At BlueLabs, we celebrate, support and thrive on differences. Not only do they benefit our services, products, and community, but most importantly, they are to the benefit of our team. Qualified people of all races, ethnicities, ages, sex, genders, sexual orientations, national origins, gender identities, marital status, religions, veterans statuses, disabilities and any other protected classes are strongly encouraged to apply. As an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer, BlueLabs is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. BlueLabs endeavors to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified applicants with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If an applicant believes they require such assistance to complete the application or to participate in an interview, or has any questions or concerns, they should contact the Director, People Operations. BlueLabs participates in E-verify. EEO is the Law.