Data Analyst, Principal

WorkSource Atlanta Regional - Fayette; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is seeking a Principal Data Analyst to lead REMI modeling and develop regional socioeconomic forecasts that support planning priorities. You will translate complex economic trends into actionable insights for staff, member governments, and stakeholders.

Responsibilities include calibrating REMI, integrating Census/BEA/BLS data, documenting methodologies, and presenting results to technical and non‑technical audiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Economics, Statistics, Data Science, Urban/Regional Planning, Public Policy, or a closely related field.
• 3+ years of progressively responsible experience in economic modeling, forecasting, planning, data analysis, or applied quantitative research.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.

Responsibilities

• Calibrate, enhance, and run the REMI economic modeling application to develop regional socioeconomic forecasts.
• Compile, process, and integrate data from federal, state, local, and proprietary sources (e.g., Census, BEA, BLS, Woods & Poole).
• Document modeling assumptions, methodologies, and data sources to ensure transparency and reproducibility.
• Develop economic impact analyses to evaluate policy or investment effects on the region.
• Translate analytical results into clear reports and presentations for diverse audiences.
• Collaborate with planning, transportation, natural resources, and other departments to align forecasts with needs.

Skills

Regional economics

Demography

Econometrics

Data visualization

Census/ACS/BEA/BLS

REMI modeling

ArcGIS Pro

Education

Bachelor's degree in Economics/Stats/Planning/Policy

Master's or PhD preferred

Tools

REMI

ArcGIS Pro

Job description

Job Description

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) serves as the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency for metro Atlanta, working to foster thriving communities across the region through collaborative, data-informed planning and investment. ARC coordinates regional growth and development, transportation, and natural resource planning to prepare for the future of the metro Atlanta region. Central to this mission is the calibration and application of socioeconomic models that generate accurate, reliable, and defensible regional forecasts, which serve as the foundation for sound long-range planning decisions across the region.

The ARC Office of Research and Innovation is seeking a Principal Data Analyst to manage and enhance our regional forecasting program. In this role, the Principal Data Analyst will lead the application and enhancement of ARC’s REMI (Regional Economic Models, Inc.) modeling platform, develop regional socioeconomic forecasts, conduct economic impact analyses, and produce data, insights, and strategic intelligence that support critical regional initiatives, policy decisions, and planning priorities. This position serves as a key technical leader in ensuring the rigor, accuracy, and policy relevance of the forecasts and analyses that inform regional planning and decision-making. The Principal Data Analyst will also collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders to translate complex economic and demographic trends into actionable insights that support ARC’s long-range vision and strategic objectives.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Calibrate, enhance, and run the REMI economic modeling application to develop regional socioeconomic forecasts to support agency planning priorities.
• Compile, process, and integrate data from federal, state, local, and proprietary sources (e.g., Census, BEA, BLS, Woods & Poole) to support modeling and forecasting.
• Document modeling assumptions, methodologies, and data sources to ensure transparency, reproducibility, and defensibility of forecasts.
• Develop economic impact analysis to evaluate the effects of policies, investments, and major initiatives on the region.
• Translate complex analytical results into clear reports, visualizations, briefings, and presentations for technical and non-technical audiences, including staff, member governments, and stakeholders.
• Support ARC spatial economic modeling projects.
• Collaborate with planning, transportation, natural resources, and other departments to align forecasts and analyses with agency planning needs and priorities.
• Respond to data and analysis requests from internal teams, local governments, partner agencies, and the public.
• Stay current with advances in economic modeling, forecasting methods, and data‑analysis tools, and recommend improvements to ARC’s modeling and forecasting capabilities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Statistics, Data Science, Urban/Regional Planning, Public Policy, or a closely related field.
• Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in economic modeling, forecasting, planning, data analysis, or applied quantitative research.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master’s degree or doctoral degree is preferred.
• Hands-on experience with REMI is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with statistical and data analysis tools is preferred.
• Experience in a regional planning, government, or public‑sector research setting.
• Familiarity with regional transportation, landuse, or demographic forecasting models.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And Competencies

• Strong understanding of regional and urban economics, demography, and applied econometrics.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro for spatial data analysis and mapping.
• Demonstrated experience developing, running, and interpreting econometric or economic impact models.
• Experience working with major socioeconomic and economic data sources (e.g., U.S. Census, ACS, BEA, BLS).
• Strong data visualization and reporting skills.
• Commitment to accuracy, transparency, and reproducibility in analytical work.
• High attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and adaptability. Comfortable working independently and as part of cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, track progress, and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Additional Information

About ARC:

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency that focuses on issues critical to the region’s success, including growth and development, transportation, water resources, services for older adults and workforce solutions. ARC is dedicated to unifying the region’s collective resources to prepare the metropolitan area for a prosperous future. This is done through professional planning initiatives, the provision of objective information and the involvement of the community in collaborative partnerships.

ARC Strategic Framework

Vision

ONE great REGION

Mission Statement

The Atlanta Regional Commission fosters thriving communities for all within the Atlanta region through collaborative, data-informed planning and investments.

Our Goals

• Healthy, safe, livable communities in the Atlanta metro area.
• Strategic investments in people, infrastructure, mobility, and preserving natural resources.
• Regional services delivered with operational excellence and efficiency.
• Diverse stakeholders engage and take a regional approach to solve local issues.
• A competitive economy that is inclusive, innovative, and resilient.

Our Core Values

Excellence

A commitment to doing our best and going above and beyond in every facet of our work allowing for innovative practices and actions to be created while ensuring our agency’s and our colleague’s success.

Equity

We represent a belief that there are some things which people should have, that there are basic needs that should be fulfilled, that burdens and rewards should not be spread too divergently across the community, and that policy should be directed with impartiality, fairness and justice towards these ends.

Integrity

In our conduct, communication, and collaboration with each other and the region’s residents, we