Senior Data Scientist - DataSF (1043)

Company Description

Do you want to transform City services through the use of data science and analytics? Join the DataSF team to empower and expand use of data in government! 
 
DataSF’s mission is to transform the way San Francisco works with data. We believe that data, when harnessed effectively, can improve transparency, citizen engagement, and government performance. We are committed to removing barriers and making it easier for all people to access services and knowledge, and we actively seek team members whose diverse life experiences reflect the residents we serve. 
 
We are committed to equity in our hiring, team culture, and product outcomes and to fostering an inclusive work environment. We are building a team that reflects a diverse set of lived experiences and identities. This effort includes considering qualified candidates across a spectrum of races, colors, religions, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, national origins, genetics, disabilities, ages, or veteran status.  If you’re looking for a team where you can make an impact and improve the lives of all San Francisco residents, then we want to hear from you. 

DataSF is seeking a Senior Data Scientist with 3+ years of experience to join our growing team. Reporting to the City’s Chief Data Officer, you will be instrumental in building the city's decision intelligence capabilities. This is an exciting position for someone eager to apply advanced analytical techniques to complex urban challenges, contributing directly to San Francisco's commitment to equitable and ethical service delivery. 

You can learn more about our data science service and completed projects. 

If you are an entrepreneurial and passionate data enthusiast, join our team to improve government through good use of data! 

Job Description

Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Help define and build out key analytical projects and work with data product managers to develop a strategy to empower decisions with data insights.  

• Manage a portfolio of analytical projects from conception to implementation 

• Conduct a range of analyses or experiments using generative AI/machine learning/statistical methods and tools 

• Develop data visualizations and data products to support the analysis 

• Conduct research and policy analysis as needed to inform the data analysis 

• Develop presentations and communicate the results of your work 

• Help develop and implement products, services, tools, or business process changes resulting from the analysis to enable end users to use the insights in decision-making or operations 

• Create and maintain data pipelines for data science projects as needed 

• Provide technical assistance to and develop guidance for department partners implementing their own analytical work 

• Develop documentation and trainings to enable other department partners to leverage data science products and tools 

We are looking for someone who has:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and influence decisions. 
• Ability to break down complex problems, design appropriate analytical approaches, and deliver practical, impactful solutions. 
• A highly collaborative mindset, eager to work cross-functionally with diverse teams and contribute to a shared mission. 

• Experience tailoring analytical solutions to solve problems and/or generate new insights 

• Deep understanding of statistical concepts, experimental design, and various machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, time series). 

• Strong programming skills in Python (with libraries like pandas, scikit-learn, TensorFlow/PyTorch) or R for data manipulation, statistical analysis, and machine learning. 

• Proficiency in SQL for data querying and analysis. 

• Hands-on experience with cloud data platforms. 

• Familiarity with data orchestration tools like Azure Data Factory or similar. 

• Experience with advanced methods such as experimentation, geospatial analysis, simulation, time series, etc.   

• Experience or demonstrated interest in the public sector and civic data. 

• Experience with geospatial analysis  

• Experience with MLOps practices for deploying and monitoring models in production. 

• Experience working with unstructured data 

• Experience with dbt for data transformation and modeling. 

• Experience developing and deploying production Generative AI-based data products (i.e. RAG, leveraging LLM integrations, AI Agents, MCPs, etc.) 

• Experience mentoring junior data scientists and analysts and fostering analytical communities in prior roles 

• A passion for using data to improve government services and a strong commitment to the principles of equity, transparency, and ethical data use. 

• An empathetic understanding of the diverse array of experiences embodied in San Francisco and a desire to contribute to making services and knowledge more accessible for all residents. 

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Your voice will be heard and valued
• We have a strong team that works together cohesively
• You will perform a role that is critical to the City’s core operations

Nature of Work: Incumbent must be willing to work a 40-hour per week schedule. The department has a hybrid work schedule.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications

Education: An associate degree in computer science, computer engineering, information systems, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university OR its equivalent in terms of total course credits/units [i.e., at least sixty (60) semester or ninety (90) quarter credits/units with a minimum of twenty (20) semester or thirty (30) quarter credits/units in one of the fields above or a closely-related field].

Experience: Three (3) years of experience analyzing, installing, configuring, enhancing, and/or maintaining the components of an enterprise network.

Substitution: Additional experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to a maximum of two (2) years). One (1) year is equivalent to thirty (30) semester units/ forty-five (45) quarter units with a minimum of 10 semester / 15 quarter units in one of the fields above or a closely related field.

Completion of the 1010 Information Systems Trainee Program may be substituted for the required degree.

Verification:

Please make sure it is clear in your application exactly how you meet the minimum qualifications. Applicants will be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience during the recruitment and selection process. For information on how to verify experience and/or education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, please visit Verification of Experience and/or Education.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final application deadline unless otherwise noted.

Additional Information

Selection Procedures

The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements and assessment of candidates’ job-related knowledge, skills and abilities. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to evaluate candidate qualifications. This typically includes an oral interview and/or a written or performance exercise.

If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the Department needs will be invited to continue in the selection process. Applicants meeting the minimum requirements are not guaranteed advancement in the selection process.

To find Departments which use this classification, please see: https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/Forms-Documents/Position-Counts-by-Job-Codes-and-Department-FY-2022-23.pdf.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

How to Apply:

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.sf.gov and begin the application process.

• Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as this job announcement will close at any time, but not before Friday, August 8, 2025 at 11:59pm PST
   
• You MUST include a cover letter.

• Select the "Apply Now" button and follow instructions on the screen

For best practices on the application process, please visit Apply for Jobs in the City and County of San Francisco Best Practices Guide. Applicants may be contacted by email about this announcement and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses @sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

HR Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact Connie Poon at Connie.Poon@sfgov.org.

Condition of Employment: 

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.