As Central Ohio’s regional council, MORPC is an association of cities, villages, townships, counties and regional organizations and serves rural, suburban, and urban areas. We take pride in bringing communities of all sizes and interests together to collaborate on best practices and plan for the future of our growing region. We do this through a variety of programs, services, projects and initiatives – all with the goal of improving the lives of our residents and making Central Ohio stand out on the world stage.
One of Central Ohio’s greatest strengths is the diversity of our communities, and to best serve our region, MORPC assertively values diversity and inclusion and strives to reflect those values in our team, our work, and our positive impact for the region. Our work progresses when our team can draw on a wide range of personal experiences and backgrounds, and when each member is open to learning from the experiences of others, both internally and externally. As an equal opportunity employer, we fully support all applicable state and federal laws and regulations and do not discriminate against applicants for employment or employees because of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical conditions, age, disability or other handicap, genetic information, marital/familial status, veteran status, military status, or income or status with regard to public assistance in any aspects of our personnel policies, working conditions, or hiring and recruitment.
To create and nourish a workforce as diverse as the Central Ohio region, MORPC encourages members of groups traditionally underrepresented in local government and professional positions to apply for our open career opportunities.
MORPC recognizes the value of a healthy work/life balance for our team members and as such, we provide a variety of benefits to promote that balance. Eligible employees receive a free system-wide transit pass and discounted access to other alternative transportation modes to provide options for commuting to work. MORPC encourages opportunities for career advancement through generous tuition and professional development incentives, leadership programs, and participation in local and national organizations. For eligible permanent positions, MORPC also offers flexible schedules and remote work options as well as paid time off and holidays. MORPC employees may also be eligible for excellent health, vision and dental insurance, employee assistance programs, employer paid short-term & long-term disability coverage, employer paid life insurance in the amount of $50,000 coverage, participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, plus two Deferred Compensation Plans that employees can opt into for additional retirement funding. More info can be found in the benefits link within the online posting.
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is seeking a dynamic, innovative, and qualified Director to lead our Data & Geospatial Analysis team. A strong candidate will possess a creative vision, collaborative spirit, and the ability to use data for storytelling. A track record of successful team leadership and project cultivation paired with a passion for using data to understand and address community needs, with a particular focus on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, are a must.
The Data & Geospatial Analysis team manages MORPC’s internal data resources and provides data collection, analysis, and visualization support to the agency’s other departments in areas ranging from transportation planning to community development, sustainability, population analysis, and community engagement. It also initiates and leads community research projects. Externally, we work directly with local governments, community partners, and residents to meet their data, mapping, and transportation modeling needs as well as provide community research support where possible. The Data & Geospatial Analysis team is also responsible for managing MORPC’s public data resources through our Mid-Ohio Open Data portal, and for furthering MORPC’s Regional Data Agenda, which outlines our role as a regional leader in data and digital infrastructure. The Director of Data Analytics & Strategy reports to the Chief Regional Strategy Officer within the Department of Planning and provides regular updates and guidance to the Executive Team and senior agency leadership and committees.
Examples of Work:
The Director of Data Analytics & Strategy works under direct supervision of the Chief Regional Strategy Officer and responsibilities include:
• Directs, reviews, monitors, and develops staff performance based on the achievement of the Data & Geospatial Analysis team and agency outcomes.
• Works closely with the Research & Data Officer as well as the Associate Director of Geospatial Analysis to identify efficiencies in processes and to assess the demand and feasibility of new (research) projects for MORPC.
• Works closely with the Chief Regional Strategy Officer and other executive team leaders on developing new partnerships and innovations to further MORPC as a data leader in Central Ohio.
• Translates complicated data into stories that can easily be shared with non-technical members of the public and helps advance the education and outreach around projects.
• Serves as the primary staff liaison to MORPC’s Regional Data Advisory Committee (RDAC) and, with the RDAC officers, guides the priorities and work of the committee.
• Oversees, updates, and implements MORPC’s Regional Data Agenda.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with MORPC members, partner organizations, community groups, and the public.
• Establishes and maintains close communication and effective working relationships with the Executive Director, Executive team, and other directors and officers.
• Assists the Chief Regional Strategy Officer with developing department budget semi-annually, projects revenues and expenditures for new and existing programs, and supports data sharing agreements.
• Attends all meetings of the Commission and appropriate committee meetings to report progress, assist in decision-making, and to recommend policies.
• Represents the Chief Regional Strategy Officer and the Commission before governmental bodies and other public meetings, in the media, and on boards and other appointed roles.
• Actively supports MORPC’s Affirmative Action Plan, Diversity and Inclusion Plan, Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, Code of Ethics, and other MORPC policies
• Participates in professional associations, conferences, and other professional development opportunities to maintain technical and subject matter expertise and to keep MORPC as a leader in data and mapping practices.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
This position requires strong leadership and communication skills, along with a strong understanding of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis abilities. Strong verbal and written communication skills are necessary to translate technical information for non-technical audiences. Familiarity with current and historical knowledge about the Central Ohio region and the issues affecting it is a plus. As MORPC applies a social enterprise approach to its Research Services, experience in project cultivation and design are also important. The position requires significant experience managing, mentoring, and guiding staff. Finally, this position requires the ability to work independently and, on a team, to conduct virtual meetings and webinars, and to establish good working relationships with peers and partners.
Acceptable Experience and Training:
Completion of a bachelor’s degree in the social sciences such as City and Regional Planning, Economics, Political Science, Sociology or comparable subject matter from an accredited college or university, along with a minimum of eight years of experience is required. Applicants with advanced coursework in relevant topics such as research methods and statistics, as well as those with additional accreditations and advanced degrees in appropriate fields of study are given preference in the application process.
MORPC is an EOE/AAP employer. Please apply online at http://www.morpc.org/careers/ or you may mail a resume to or complete an application at MORPC, 111 Liberty St., Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215 ATTN: PL-6-22.
Please no phone calls.
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