Data Scientist I

About the Position

The Data Scientist will contribute to data science, data analysis, and product innovation in data science projects within the FiscalNote Global Intelligence (FNGI) data team with a focus on the DragonFly brand. This is a full-time, permanent position. This role is U.S. remote with the option to go to the FiscalNote’s Washington D.C. offices on a voluntary basis. The Data Scientist is contracted to work 40 hours a week.

About the Data Science and Analysis Team

The Data Science and Analysis function is responsible for ensuring FNGI’s Editorial, Research (primarily) and Advisory teams are able to effectively collect, analyze, and exploit data as they deliver intelligence and analysis products to our global client base. 

The Data Science and Analysis function is integral to the evolution of FiscalNote’s offering in research and editorial work and is at the forefront of building tools to drive forward our goals of greater automation, operational efficiency, innovation, and insight throughout our intelligence analysis, editorial, and product development processes. In addition to editorial work, it works closely with data scientists and engineers across FiscalNote to fulfill our product development and operational efficiency strategies and contribute support to commercial and marketing functions as required to support growth initiatives. 

About You

You have a high level of technical competence in data science, analysis, and data engineering. Learning new techniques and technologies is exciting for you, and you actively seek out opportunities to grow. You demonstrate a strong grasp and working knowledge of intelligence and risk assessment methodologies, political and social science, and of security, stability, environmental, and geopolitical issues.  

You take the initiative to solve problems and innovate and be able to engage and collaborate effectively with both technical and non-technical subject matter expert colleagues to achieve goals and deliver on data projects. You are able to act as an effective collaborative partner with other teams on projects and are comfortable working independently. 

• Identify, analyze, manage, and maintain the best data and information feeds for our intelligence requirements
• Use appropriate tools (e.g. Python SQL, R) to scrape data, query databases, automate processes, and power a variety of data visualization tools
• Automate the processing of external data to feed custom-built databases, models, and linked dashboards
• Design, develop, and maintain visual tools such as dashboards and mapping for both internal analysis and external presentation on our platform  
• Develop machine learning tools to automate the identification of trends and patterns as well as forecasting and other analytical tasks
• Liaise with the Marketing and Commercial teams to assist in the preparation, planning, and implementation of proactive initiatives that drive opportunities 
• Liaise and collaborate with product managers and technical personnel across FiscalNote on relevant projects 
• Advocate best practices and innovation in data-driven research, primary source intelligence gathering, and the use of scraping and other relevant tools
• Help to establish and oversee a clear strategy for data automation and visualization throughout all aspects of FNGI operations.
• Manage competing deadlines and balance day-to-day requirements with delivery on strategic objectives. 

• At least three years of professional experience working in data science and analysis in a relevant field 
• Able to work with and design web scraping tools and bots, using Python SQL, R, Streamlit, and other relevant and appropriate tools
• Be able to build and test predictive data models and forecasting tools, applying political, social, and geophysical sciences methodologies and best practices in such models 
• Have a working knowledge of ArcGIS or other geospatial analytical tools (preferred)
• Have technical competence in the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) applications and chatbots, particularly ChatGPT, and its use for content generation, task automation, scripting, and other automation
• Excellent time management and an ability to work to commercially important deadlines 
• Be able to lead on and manage data projects on budget and to agreed schedules, engaging with a range of stakeholders to achieve goals, including senior editorial and product leadership, analysts, product managers, data scientists, software engineers, graphic designers, commercial and marketing 
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and able to work collaboratively and constructively as part of a high-performing intelligence and analysis team
• Work effectively with minimal supervision whilst remaining team-focused
• An ability to innovate and find creative solutions to how we use data to drive our growth and deliver market-leading analysis