Data Scientist – Worker Protection

THIS POSITION MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REMOTE WORK FOR UP TO 2 DAYS PER WEEK, PURSUANT TO THE REMOTE WORK PILOT PROGRAM.

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering economic justice. DCWP leverages its authority to bring New Yorkers real economic relief and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their rights as consumers and workers. This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections, such as the City’s Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws. Through licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, DCWP ensures fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City’s vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. DCWP is committed to making sure New York City is a fairer, more affordable place to live. For more information about DCWP and our work, visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for the newsletter, or follow us on social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The Office of Labor Policy & Standards (“OLPS”) enforces the City’s worker protection laws, including the Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek scheduling laws that protect fast food and retail workers, and Delivery Worker Laws that protect delivery workers classified as independent contractors. We also administer the Freelance Isn’t Free Act (FIFA) program, which assists freelance workers who have experienced wage theft and other violations. We obtain monetary compensation for workers for violations and bring companies into compliance. More information about our office is available at nyc.gov/workers.

OLPS is seeking a Data Scientist to play a key role in the enforcement of groundbreaking new legal protections for workers. The Data Scientist will work closely with the Office’s Investigation and Litigation teams to develop and implement strategies for the discovery, collection, and analysis of employer data relating to compliance with city workplace laws. The Data Scientist will help collect and use this data to identify violations of NYC workplace laws, assess the validity of claims by employers and workers, calculate employee relief and civil penalties, and guide investigators in the collection of testimonial evidence and other documentation. The Data Scientist will also assist with the creation of systems to automate and standardize data collection and analysis, and play a critical role in ensuring working New Yorkers can access the protections they are entitled to under the law. Since its founding in 2016, OLPS has built a reputation as a leader in the use of data analytics within its field, and the successful applicant will be joining a growing team of data scientists to further develop this area of the Office’s work.

Responsibilities include:

- Working with investigators and attorneys to identify the data necessary to evaluate employers’ compliance with NYC workplace laws;

- Communicating with employers’ counsel and technical staff to ensure delivery of responsive data, along with information necessary for its interpretation;

- Developing and using appropriate data analysis tools to describe employer practices, identify key witnesses, and calculate damages;

- Assessing how OLPS uses data in its investigations and litigation and recommending and implementing improvements;

- Recommending changes to laws, rules, and agency guidance to the extent they may relate to any of the functions described above; and

- Assisting with other aspects of OLPS’s work, including analysis of labor market data and process design and automation.

To be considered, please provide a cover letter describing why you are interested in the position and what you would contribute to the team. Include the Job ID for the posting in the header of your letter.

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

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.

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.