Docker is an open-source platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of applications. It encapsulates software into containers, ensuring it will run uniformly across different computing environments. Python developers use Docker to solve installation issues and keep the application environment consistent. With Docker, Python programmers can ensure their apps will function as intended, regardless of discrepancies in server configurations. Consequently, proficiency in Docker is highly valuable for Python job roles as it plays a crucial role in streamlining Python application deployment seamlessly.