Calvin Brown

Experience

Transportation Specialist | NYC Department of Transportation

NYC | April 2022 - Present

Develop a set of Python scripts and tools that streamline data management, asset tracking, and content creation processes critical to the Street Furniture Unit, which oversees NYC DOT's bike racks, bike corrals, benches, leaning bars, and WalkNYC Wayfinding programs.

Build interactive mobile apps and spatial algorithms to refine and improve the accuracy of NYC DOT's bicycle parking data.

Create citywide wayfinding maps and panels for WalkNYC, New York City's wayfinding program, and assist in the siting, printing, installation, and overall management of the program.

Adjunct Lecturer | Hunter College

NYC | January 2023 - Present

I teach an Introduction to Geographic Information Systems course in Hunter College's Urban Planning and Policy Department.

Assistant District Manager | Community Board 3, Manhattan

NYC | July 2021 - April 2022

Liaise with elected officials, city agencies, local nonprofits, and community groups to strategically address issues affecting Community District 3, Manhattan.

Craft well-researched resolutions and formal responses to city land use and transportation proposals.

Organize and lead community board and interagency meetings.

Develop scripted tools in Python to automate tasks and aid in land use and transportation related analysis.

Civic Data Analyst and Planner | Alta Planning + Design

Sacramento | July 2019 - March 2021

Led data analysis and created written content and visual graphics for dozens of nationwide active transportation projects and grant applications in close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, project managers, clients, and public advocacy groups. Products we delivered were awarded grant funding and adopted by cities and counties.

Developed Python tools that automated data collection and analyses, workflows, and graphics production. These tools were used on multiple projects nationwide, and expanded Alta’s capacity to deliver stronger, more consistent products within budget.

Used GIS, Python, Jupyter Notebook, PostGIS, Excel, and other tools to analyze data and communicate finding in the form of maps, tables, graphics, and written reports.

Worked with a wide array of demographics and transportation data including data from the U.S. Census, LEHD, OpenStreetMap, GTFS, Streetlight, Replica, and Ecopia to identify and visualize critical insights about the built environment, transportation networks and the people they serve.

Presented active transportation projects to California communities and led outreach events.

Policy Analyst | Tri-State Transportation Campaign

NYC | November 2018 - July 2019

Proactively undertook data analysis projects, and marshalled analysis findings to create insightful graphics and reports that illustrated TSTC advocacy positions and policy implications.

Helped organize and host a packed room transit panel discussion that included State Senators Alessandra Biaggi, Julia Salazar, Jessica Ramos, and Andrew Gounardes.

Cartographer | Philip Plotch and Cornell University Press

NYC | August 2018 - July 2019

Created ten custom maps for Philip Plotch’s Last Subway: The Long Wait for the Next Train in New York City, published and available at Cornell University Press.

Worked in close collaboration with Philip Plotch and the Cornell University Press team to develop elegant maps that clearly illustrated key elements of the book’s narrative while adhering to page layout and printing limitations.

Ambassador | Transportation Alternatives

NYC | July 2018 - September 2018

Engaged community members in all five boroughs in both English and Spanish, promoting policies and street designs that prioritize walking, transit, and cycling, and collecting petition signatures for a number of successful Transportation Alternatives campaigns.

Bolstered TA’s social media presence and used social media to amplify community members’ voices, raise awareness of traffic safety and access issues, and engage with elected officials.

Fleet Team Leader | I-GO Car Sharing

Chicago | 2011 - 2012

Helped manage the general maintenance of over 250 shared vehicles.

Implemented system to log and track fleet issues and service visits.

Bicycling Ambassador | City of Chicago

Chicago | 2010 - 2011

Promoted cycling culture through outreach events.

Led bicycle and traffic safety events with local elected officials and community leaders.

Wrote and distributed surveys to acquire feedback on new infrastructure.

Translator and English Teacher

Chicago, NYC, Madrid, and Santiago de Chile | 2009 - July 2018

Translated manuals, brochures, and other literature from English to Spanish.

Taught English classes to diverse groups of all ages and backgrounds.

Developed curricula and lesson plans for learners of all levels.

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