RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

Job Description and Duties

All applicants will be considered, however SROA/Surplus candidates will be given priority.

Are you interested in making life better for Californians? Are you looking for a career and not just a job? Do you want to create a meaningful impact in your community? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) has a career opportunity waiting for you! California not only needs you, it wants you as part of the growing workforce. New employees, new ideas, and new creative perspectives are needed in all areas at the CDTFA. We value staff and are dedicated to employee career development. Our agency supports the development of staff by offering training to flourish in their position and programs to promote and explore upward mobility. To learn more about us, please see CDTFA Gateway to New Opportunities video

Under the general direction of the Research Data Manager, Research and Statistics Section, of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration's (CDTFA) Processing, Policy and Data Division, the Research Data Specialist Ill independently serves as the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) expert technical advisor responsible for planning, organizing, and conducting a variety of complex data and policy projects and studies. Projects and studies involve revenue estimates, economic impact analysis, forecasts, and analysis of taxable sales data at the state and local level. The position is responsible for continuously monitoring the flow of tax receipts to ascertain if changes in system processes and taxpayer behavior have altered historical relationships and estimates. The position is also responsible for providing expert consultative and advisory services Department wide regarding economic forecasts, revenue estimates, and taxable sales activity.

Candidate must be able to perform the following essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Under Government Code 14200, this position may be eligible for partial telework for eligible candidates residing in California. All telework/hybrid schedules require staff to report to the office a minimum number of days per week. Schedules are subject to change.

Currently, per the California Budget Act of 2025, all California Department of Tax and Fee Administration salaries are subject to the provisions of the State of California’s Personal Leave Program.

This recruitment has been posted for more vacancies than currently exist as it may be used to fill additional identical vacancies which occur within 180 days of the closing date of this bulletin.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

• This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.; for more information about E-Verify, please go to

• Position requires employee to be fingerprinted and successfully pass a background investigation.

• Proficiently use a personal computer, intermediate to advance experience using statistical and data visualization software packages, such as PowerBI, SOL, Python, R-studio, etc.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 4/9/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

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 CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

CA Department of Tax and Fee Administration

Talent Acquisition Section

Attn: Certification Section - JC-512793

651 Bannon Street, Suite 100 MIC: 00

Sacramento , CA 95811

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

CA Department of Tax and Fee Administration

Human Resources Bureau (App Drop Off)

Northwest Tower 1st Floor Lobby Drop Box (JC-512793)

651 Bannon Street

Sacramento , CA 95811

Monday - Friday (Excluding Holidays)

08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

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.
• Statement of Qualifications - A completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your STD. 678 in order to be considered for this position. Please see the Statement of Qualifications section of this job posting for additional information.
  

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits

CDTFA appreciates and proudly celebrates diversity with an emphasis of an inclusive atmosphere in all levels of the organization. CDTFA is a participant in The Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) Capitol Cohort to advance racial equality and advance opportunities for all in California. Employees of different races, ethnicities, genders, ages, religions, disabilities, gender orientations and personal experiences are welcomed to contribute to the success of CDTFA.

The CDTFA was presented with the Large State Employer of the Year Award for 2018 from The Association of California State Employees with Disabilities (ACSED); showcasing CDTFA’s support of employment, promotion, and fair treatment of persons with disabilities.

CDTFA values its staff and is dedicated to employee career development. Our agency supports the development of staff by offering training to flourish in their position and programs to promote and explore upward mobility.

Working for the State offers great opportunities, generous benefits, and career development. In addition, you can look forward to:

• Nearby (third-party) parking.
• Convenient to public transportation.
• Located near downtown, major freeway access.

For more information about the outstanding benefits offered to State Employees

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

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website:

Hiring Unit Contact:
Heidi Langman
(916) 309-8451
[email protected]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
EEO Contact
(916) 309-8400
[email protected]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Statement of Qualifications

Applicants must include a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for this recruitment. The SOQ is a narrative discussion prepared by the applicant describing how the applicant’s skills, knowledge, abilities, education, training, and experience, qualify them for the position. The SOQ serves as documentation of each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. The CDTFA will not consider applicants who fail to provide an SOQ with their application. Resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

Additionally, your SOQ must include:

• Name on SOQ.
• SOQ must be no more than two pages in length, double-spaced.

Each response should be numbered, to clearly indicate which SOQ prompt you are responding to. Resumes / Cover Letters do not take the place of the SOQ and will not be scored.

1. Describe the steps you took to solve a significant technical problem in a previous role. What was the problem, what roles were involved (managers, team members, execs), and why was it important to solve?

2. Describe how you have used external data sources to help validate, compare, and evaluate business data (e.g., data sample). How do you assess the quality and reliability of your data sources?

You must provide specific information which demonstrates how your knowledge, skills, and training meet the needs of this position.