Technical Assistant II

Technical Assistant II
Location: Amherst
Hybrid

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: Engineering

Department: UMass Trans Ctr

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Job Description:

Job Summary

The technical assistant will provide assistance and support for highway safety research projects through data analysis, technical execution, and development of project deliverables. This is a 4 month appointment; continuation is contingent on funding.

Essential Functions

Conduct data analysis using transportation safety datasets (e.g., crash, roadway, enforcement, citation data) to support research objectives and reporting needs.

Clean, validate, and prepare datasets for analysis, including quality checks, documentation, and reproducible workflows.

Develop tables, figures, maps, and summaries to support technical reports, presentations, and stakeholder materials.

Draft and contribute to technical reports, white papers, and research briefs, translating analytical results into clear, structured findings.

Support literature reviews and technical scans; summarize findings to inform project tasks and recommendations.

Apply established statistical methods and analytical approaches under the direction of senior research staff.

Assist in the development and application of exposure-based metrics and performance measures for safety analysis.

Utilize SQL and other analytical tools (e.g., R, Python, GIS) to query, manage, and analyze large datasets.

Support GIS-based analysis, including mapping, spatial joins, and visualization of safety data.

Maintain organized documentation of data sources, methodologies, and analytical processes to ensure reproducibility.

Assist with preparation of presentations and materials for meetings, conferences, and stakeholder briefings.

Other Functions

All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience in transportation, traffic engineering, human factors, data science, public health, statistics, regulatory, public policy, enforcement or other related field.

Experience conducting data cleaning, validation, and basic statistical analysis.

Ability to interpret data and communicate findings clearly through written reports and visualizations.

Experience working on deliverable based projects.

Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher.

Ability to be a self-starter and to carry through assignments with a minimum amount of supervision.

Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as organizational and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with data analysis tools such as SQL, R, Python, Excel, or similar.

Knowledge of specific Program activities.

Ability to coordinate grant funded activities in a university environment.

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in an indoor university environment and involves lifting and transporting materials or equipment and general physical activity, including prolonged standing, walking, or assuming low postures.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday - Friday within standard working hours.

This is a 4 month appointment; continuation is contingent on funding.

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the University Staff Association, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University Staff Association collective bargaining agreement.
This position has the opportunity for a remote work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where the employee’s work location is to work from a site other than the UMass Amherst campus. As this position falls within the University Staff Association, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University Staff Association collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: USA/MTA Grade 14

Additional Details

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.