Data analyst senior

Job Description:

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) Office of Research and Innovation seeks a Senior Data Analyst to help power the data infrastructure, analysis, and storytelling that drive regional decision-making across the Atlanta Region. The role requires a deeply curious person with strong statistical, analytical, geospatial, and programming skills and will be responsible for providing database analysis and data modeling for a diverse portfolio, serving as a go-to technical resource for colleagues and external partners alike. This role focuses on performing complex analyses, managing research projects and will serve as a designated subject matter expert to support the mission of ARC, the regional planning and inter-governmental coordination agency for the 11-county Atlanta region. ARC’s mission is to consider issues from a regional perspective and work with community partners to plan the investments and programs needed to improve quality of life for all residents of the Atlanta Region. This role is central to that mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Geospatial Analysis & Mapping: Design and maintain spatial databases; produce thematic maps, geocoded datasets, raster analyses, and interactive map layers using ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and open-source tools. Support the Open Data & Mapping Hub and related geospatial community products.
• Research Design & Methods: Support research design and methodology across the Office. Ability to produce summary and descriptive statistics and conduct inferential statistical analysis. Experience with population and employment forecasting is a plus.
• Data Programming & Automation: Write and maintain scripts in Python and/or R to collect, clean, transform, and model structured, unstructured, and spatial data from public, administrative, and proprietary sources. Build and manage automated workflows using Git for version control.
• Dashboard & Application Development: Build and maintain interactive dashboards and web applications.
• Project & Data Management: Serve as project manager for research projects, including managing timelines and partners. Assist in reviewing contractor proposals.
• Innovation & Emerging Technology: Actively evaluate and adopt emerging tools, including generative AI, large language models, and cloud platforms.
• Communication & Collaboration: Prepare written reports, presentations, and data stories that communicate complex findings to technical and non-technical audiences. Respond to data requests from internal divisions, partner agencies, and the public. Work collaboratively across ARC teams and with regional stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Data Science, Geosciences, Geography, Urban or Regional Planning, Public Policy, or a related field. Master’s degree may be preferred.
• Experience: At least two years of experience in data analysis, data science, geospatial analysis, or a closely related field. Experience working with government, planning, or research organizations is a plus.

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.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Technical Skills:

oProgramming & Data Tools: Proficiency in Python (Pandas, GeoPandas, Jupyter Notebook) and/or R for data analysis, modeling, and automation. Experience with SQL for querying and managing data. Familiarity with Git for version control and collaborative development.
oGeospatial Skills: Hands-on experience with Esri ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. Familiarity with geocoding, raster data, thematic mapping, and modern geospatial formats (e.g., GeoParquet). Experience with open-source GIS tools is a plus.
oData Visualization: Ability to design clear, compelling visualizations using no-code software and/or custom web tools (Streamlit, Mapbox). Experience presenting data to non-technical audiences through data storytelling.
oStatistical & Quantitative Methods: Solid grounding in quantitative research design and methods including regression analysis, hypothesis testing, and forecasting techniques. Familiarity with machine learning methods is a plus.

• Domain Knowledge: Working familiarity with regional planning and economic datasets such as Census products (ACS, Decennial, TIGER), LEHD/LODES, BLS, FRED, HUD, housing and real estate-specific sources (HMDA, building permits, CoStar, ATTOM, Zillow, Parcl Labs).
• Analytical Skills: Strong problem-solving and critical thinking ability to translate complex questions into reproducible analyses and clearly communicate uncertainty.
• Project management: Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, track progress, and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Soft Skills: High attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and adaptability. Comfortable working independently and as part of cross-functional teams. Proactive approach to continuous learning, such as emerging AI and cloud technologies.

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 [email protected].

ARC offers our full-time regular employees a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off and more!