Data Visualization Developer (Office of Communications)
Washington, DC

Job Description

Who we are:

At the nonprofit Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. Our employees are empowered to influence policy, open minds, shape decisions and offer solutions. We encourage intellectual honesty, innovation, diversity, and mutual respect, and our analysis elevates the debate, wherever it takes place.

Urban's greatest asset is our people. We strive to attract and cultivate a vibrant, creative, and diverse community. Our employees drive Urban's mission through entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, effective communication, results-orientation, and relationship cultivation. Our success depends on engaging individuals who possess and value these attributes.

How you'll contribute:

The Urban Institute is seeking a data visualization developer to join our vibrant and growing team. To build on our continued success with powerful digital content, we're looking for a talented and multifaceted visual thinker. This is a unique opportunity to deliver Urban's vital research to an expanding audience and to explore the possibilities of telling stories with data. The specialist will work closely with research center directors and staff, executive office staff, and the communications team to translate research into user-focused data visualizations, interactive tools, and applications for the Urban Institute website.

Responsibilities:

* Develop creative solutions to communicate complex research findings to the Urban Institute's audiences (including policy makers, national and local journalists, and the general public)
* Collaborate with researchers and communications staff (designers, developers, writers, and editors) on the conception and construction of interactive data visualizations
* Create and refine static data visualizations for a range of publications based on our comprehensive communications standards
* Grow and refine our data visualization practices and standards-exploring new technologies, developing new style guidelines, or designing and building new templates

What you'll bring:

* A strong portfolio of data visualization projects, from 2-5 years of combined academic and professional experience
* Bachelor's or Master's degree in computer science, journalism, statistics, information science/visualization, or a related field.
* Excellent communication and presentation skills.

The successful candidate must have a working knowledge of the following:

* Front-end web development using HTML, CSS, and Javascript
* Creating interactive graphics in d3.js
* Cleaning and analyzing data (using R, Python, Ruby, Stata, or others)

Preferred Knowledge

* Advanced techniques for charting in Microsoft Excel
* Git and Github
* Statistics
* ggplot2
* Online mapping libraries (especially Mapbox) and experience with GIS programs such as ArcGIS or QGIS

What you'll experience:

Working in the Nation's Capital- the epicenter of public policy- among a network of policy experts, you can expect to have an impact on policy areas you care about and work with great colleagues who are smart, mission-driven, and collaborative. You will blend academic rigor with on-the-ground collaboration, be encouraged and supported to fulfill your potential through meaningful work that matters and, enjoy a welcoming workplace free from harassment, discrimination and intolerance.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage. Competitive paid time off allowance, and eligibility to participate in a generous retirement savings plan plus elect a pretax benefit for commuting expenses. This position has the flexibility to be virtual.

The Urban Institute is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other protected status under applicable law.

The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer -Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans. Engineering Intern, Computer Science Intern, IT Intern, Information Technology Intern

For more information about the Urban Institute, please visit our website at www.urban.org