Research Specialist

Job Description and Duties

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by independently developing a variety of complex health data research reports.

The Research Data Specialist I (RDS I) performs assessments which may include established objectives using various state statistical and informational databases and applying appropriate research design and methodologies in the report analysis. Acts as a subject matter expert in data assessment and product development for health related data topics, and participates in projects regarding other health related data reaseach. Utilizes various software applications (ArcGIS, Databricks, Excel, R, Python, SAS, SQL, and Tableau) to perform complex reports, validation, and verification.

The incumbent works under the general direction of Research Data Supervisor I, Chief of the Data Reporting Unit.

This is a Limited Term position that may be extended or become Permanent.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey:

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Telework Information

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Travel may be required for this position. Reimbursement for travel takes into consideration an employee’s designated headquarters, as reflected in the duty statement, and is subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the attached duty statement.

Special Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts official or un-official and/or Degree for education verification.

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678) and/or Resume, including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week , and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY) . Application packages without this information will experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

A completed State application (STD. 678) and any other relevant documents (e.g. unofficial transcript, copy of degree, resume, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareers Account. Please reference Job Control # (490474) and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application. Please remove any confidential information (i.e. social security number, date of birth) from your documents prior to submission.

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareers Account at Submitting an electronic application through your CalCareers account is strongly recommended since electronic applications will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing. Please submit only one application.

If you are unable to submit your application electronically through your CalCareers account, please email [email protected] for assistance and a CDPH Human Resources Division staff member will contact you to assist with the online application process or, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method as explained in the How to Apply section below. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Self-motivated.
• Experience with data analysis, management using programming languages (SQL, R, SAS, Databricks or Python), and creating data visualization tools.
• Demonstrate willingness to assume analytical duties of high complexity, manage multifaceted short, medium, and long-term analytical projects, and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
• Have excellent communication and interactive skills.
• Be extremely proficient in the use of various computer word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications and be willing to learn new technological tools and to incorporate them in daily tasks.
• Possess exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present information and express ideas in a clear, confident, and convincing manner.
• Demonstrate ability to offer succinct, value-added recommendations and exercise sound judgment.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a multi-disciplined team environment.
• Perform both independently and in a cooperative team environment.
• Possess strong organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrate excellent attention to detail.
• Demonstrate the ability to prioritize and work well under pressure to meet quick deadlines.
• Possess outstanding customer service skills.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) Instructions

The SQ should be no more than one (1) page, single-spaced, and no smaller than 12-point Arial font. Please place your name in the upper right corner, title the document “Supplemental Questionnaire,” and number your responses.

Please review the Duty Statement for this position and then answer the following:

1. Describe what technology, platforms, and data collection methods you currently use in your daily projects and tasks.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other -

  Please see Supplemental Questionnaire instructions below at end of Posting . Any applications received that do not provide a written response to the SQ will not be scored/reviewed.