Collaborating with teams across the Corporation, Senior Data Scientists bridge the divide between raw data and action, with an emphasis on solving real world problems and operationalizing solutions.
The Senior Data Scientist position is dedicated to leading and shaping end-to-end data science projects. This role serves as the driving force behind data science at the City of Edmonton and the application of insights to fulfill organizational objectives.
What will you do?- Project Intake: Decide on whether a project requires data science approaches such as machine learning, clustering, and forecasting. Do research on potential solutions, and project directions
- Project Leadership: Lead and manage complex data science projects, aligning them with corporate objectives and incorporating project planning, scheduling, resourcing, risk assessment, and cost/benefit analyses. Guide junior staff and mentor data science students on projects, and coordinate efforts between those involved
- Data Analysis: Analyze large and intricate datasets to extract meaningful insights that drive strategic decisions, considering the size, scope, duration, risk, and complexity of the projects
- Model Development: Develop and implement advanced predictive models and algorithms to address business challenges, leveraging specialized systems and technology (e.g., Unix, Docker, Databases, Scripting) for production-level implementation
- Operationalization: Work with Community partners to design a solution that can be used by front-line staff, and monitor usage as a key metric of project success
- Quality Assurance: Rigorously test and validate data-driven solutions to ensure accuracy, reliability, and alignment with the organization's strategic direction
- Performance Monitoring: Continuously monitor the performance of deployed models, adapting and interpreting them as necessary to reduce uncertainty and increase the likelihood of success. Collaborate with the Data and Analytics Ethicist to examine ethical implications. This includes preparing progress reports and escalating project concerns to project governance
- Model Optimization: Iteratively improve machine learning models as needed to enhance predictive accuracy and relevance to business goals
- Stakeholder Communication: Effectively communicate complex findings and insights to non-technical Community Partners, including senior management, to influence the Corporation's strategic direction
- Continual Learning: Stay up to date with new advancements in the field of data science broadly, with a specific emphasis on learning innovative techniques directly beneficial to the end-to-end implementation of data science projects at the City
- Perform other related duties
Qualifications:- Graduate University Degree in applied statistics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, or a related field
- 8 years experience with an emphasis on complex operationalized artificial intelligence projects
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Designation is required. Applicants who currently do not possess their PMP Designation may be considered and if successful, will be required to obtain it within the first 12 months of employment
Skills required for success:
- Proficient in multivariate regression/classification, time series models, cluster analysis, anomaly detection, optimization, neural network models, supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques
- Experience using state of the art machine-learning techniques (e.g. BERT, YOLO, XGBoost)
- Proficiency in relational databases, SQL, and scripting languages (e.g., R, Python)
- Experience with Generative AI and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) frameworks and architectures
- Experience with agent development frameworks such as Google ADK (or equivalents like LangGraph or LlamaIndex) and self-hosted model inference such as Ollama or vLLM
- Strong programming skills with experience in software development in a collaborative environment
- Demonstrated success in applying machine learning and statistical methods to solve practical problems
- Inherently motivated, intellectually curious, and inclined towards taking proactive actions
- Strong critical thinking, consensus-building, and influential skills
- Self-directed and capable of managing complex projects independently
- Proficient in project management with a track record of implementing improvements at organizational, departmental, and operational levels
- Effective communication skills tailored for diverse audiences, proven through successful information dissemination and active listening
- Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies ( https://bit.ly/4brRrXm )
- Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion
- Applicants may be tested
Work Environment:
- The weekly hours of work for this position are currently under review and may change at a future time. Any changes will be made in accordance with the City of Edmonton/Civic Service Union 52 collective agreement and the incumbent will be notified in advance.
Up to 1 permanent full-time positionHours of Work: 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday
Salary Range: $59.733 - $75.455 (Hourly); $124,722.500 - $157,550.040 (Annually)
Recruitment Consultant: KE/SB
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