Data Analyst, Principal

Northeast Arc; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is seeking a Principal Data Analyst to lead REMI modeling, develop regional socioeconomic forecasts, and conduct economic impact analyses to support planning decisions. The role requires translating complex trends into actionable insights for staff, member governments, and stakeholders.

Based in Atlanta, this position collaborates across ARC’s Office of Research and Innovation to ensure rigor, transparency, and relevance of forecasts guiding regional priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, data science, urban/regional planning, public policy, or closely related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in economic modeling, forecasting, planning, data analysis, or applied quantitative research.
• Master’s degree or doctoral degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Calibrate, enhance, and run the REMI modeling application to develop regional forecasts.
• Compile and integrate data from Census, BEA, BLS, and other sources for modeling.
• Document modeling assumptions, methodologies, and data sources for transparency.
• Develop economic impact analyses to evaluate policy and investment effects.
• Translate complex results into reports, visualizations, and presentations for diverse audiences.
• Collaborate with planning, transportation, and other departments to align forecasts with needs.
• Stay current with advances in economic modeling and data-analysis tools.

Skills

Regional economics

Urban economics

Econometrics

Data visualization

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Economics/Statistics/Data Science/Urban-Regional Planning/Public Policy or related field

Tools

REMI modeling

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 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 will act with consistency, honesty, transparency, fairness and accountability within and across each of our responsibilities and functions.

Application Process

The Atlanta Regional Commission is looking for individuals who enjoy working in a public service environment where the mission is to improve the quality of life for the citizens of the Atlanta region. ARC serves as a forum where leaders come together to discuss and act on issues of regionwide consequence, so it is important that our staff share the public entrepreneurial spirit that defines ARC.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, ARC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, sex, religion or disability.

To request a reasonable accommodation during the application, interview, or testing process, please contact ARC at 404-463-3100 or Human Resources via email at [e-mail].