Economist/Data Analyst

WHO WE ARE

Terner Labs scales critical housing innovations, advancing bold ideas and real solutions for systems-level change. We create transformative tools, programs, and connections between entrepreneurs and experts. Through the Housing Venture Lab, we identify and support promising housing innovators with potential to scale; through the Data Solutions Lab, we advance tools to support evidence-based housing policy. Our relationship with the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at UC Berkeley grounds our work in research and equips us to identify emergent policies and innovations with potential to scale.

DATA SOLUTIONS LAB

The Data Solutions Lab’s first product, the Housing Policy Simulator, allows policymakers and researchers to simulate the effect of various policy scenarios on the financial feasibility of housing development. It models all possible developments on a site, the financial feasibility of each potential development, and the likelihood of development for the most profitable option. Users can then toggle between policy options and compare the potential impact on future development.

Since our Los Angeles pilot in 2022, we have built over 25 simulators across California, Colorado, Arizona, and North Carolina, with plans to expand to multiple new jurisdictions in partnership with local academic and research institutions.

HOW YOU’LL CONTRIBUTE

Terner Labs seeks an entrepreneurial and dynamic Economist/Data Analyst to join the Data Lab team. In this newly created role, the Economist/Data Analyst will utilize their data management and analysis expertise, statistical modeling skills, and urban economic knowledge to inform and build out the Data Lab’s initial projects. They will bring an energetic and open-minded spirit and thrive within a fast-paced, growing organization.

The Economist/Data Analyst will report to the Senior Data Scientist/Technical Manager and will work alongside other Data Analysts and Data Scientists to play an essential role in the Data Labs’ expanding scope by helping model the impacts of policy on housing and enhancing the technical capabilities and quality of our products. Specifically, this role will initially be a core contributor to the Simulator’s statistical model connecting historical development to the probability of future development. This is an opportune time to join and help shape the future of data-backed evidence in housing policy decisions.

INITIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Enhance the Simulator’s realism and theoretical grounding by expanding on statistical models linking Simulator outputs to the probability of historic residential development
• Help build and expand the Terner Housing Policy Simulator by collecting data from city planning departments, public records, industry data, state policy details, and other sources
• Grow the simulation capabilities of the Simultor by developing and implementing additions to the proforma methodology and refining various assumptions
• Liaise with partnering researchers, cities, other organizations using the Simulator to understand city-level data sets, intricacies of various policies, methodology specifications, and policy simulation requirements
• Collect data/clean data, data engineering analyses
• Collaborate with an experienced team of technical contractors, partner organizations, graduate students, and Terner Labs and Center staff to implement methodology and UX improvements.

DESIRED SKILL SETS / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated ability to use Excel and Python, to manage and analyze large datasets
• Extensive experience in geospatial data analysis and modeling using Geospatial Softwares QGIS, ArcGIS or open-source geospatial libraries such as GeoPandas.
• Strong understanding of data cleaning and data validation
• Some experience with the application of statistical or data science models for analysis and prediction
• Ability and desire to apply urban economic or commercial real estate knowledge to messy real world analytical problems
• Familiarity with or ability to quickly learn housing policy and the history of past planning practices, including racial exclusion and historical redlining
• Familiarity with or ability to quickly learn elements of applied urban economic modeling and real estate data analytics
• Flexible self-starter comfortable managing multiple deadlines and priorities
• Strong problem solving skills
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information to a variety of audiences
• Inspiring and thoughtful communication style that meets the needs of diverse team members and partners and engenders trust and collaboration
• Energetic and entrepreneurial mindset
• 3+ years relevant work experience
• Relevant masters degree is a plus, but is not required

Terner Labs is a young organization with growth potential. The person serving in this position should be excited to join the team while we scale and be comfortable with the dynamism that entails. This means being open to fluidity, being willing to jump in and do what is necessary even if it isn’t in the job description, and being passionate about building the organization in partnership with the leadership team.

WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE

We are open to a wide range of past experiences for candidates interested in this role. The target salary range for this position is $110,000 - $125,000, commensurate with experience. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, disability, and mental health coverage, as well as 18 vacation days, one sick day a month, 14 paid holidays, and the opportunity to participate in a generous retirement savings plan matching program.

This position will be located in Oakland, CA, with opportunities for a limited hybrid work schedule (up to 40% remote).

Terner Labs is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage individuals to apply who bring lived experience with issues of housing affordability and equity. Criminal background checks are not required.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.