RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I

Job Description and Duties

Why Join DHCS?

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is the backbone of California’s health care safety net. Our success is made possible by the hard work of more than 4,800 DHCS team members and through collaboration with the federal government and other state agencies, counties, and partners for the care of low-income families, children, pregnant women, older adults, and persons with disabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team in the following role. If you are interested in joining our team, apply today.

About this Role:

The Enterprise Data and Information Management, Health Information Management (HIMD) Division is seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to join our team as a Research Data Specialist I (RDS I). 

Under general direction of the Research Data Supervisor I, the RDS I will independently designs, organizes, and conducts complex analytical studies of encounter data and other managed care data sources. The RDS I prepares clear, actionable reports to convey study results and provide guidance to HIMD on the performance of Managed Care Plans (MCPs) in meeting contractual requirements.

Training and Development (T&D) assignments may be considered for this position for current California civil service employees. T&D assignments cannot exceed 24 months. However, successful T&D candidates may transition to a permanent appointment, if eligible at the end of the T&D assignment.

This position has been advertised as limited term and is expected to last 24 months; it may become permanent or be extended.

Have questions and/or need assistance? Contact View email address on us.fitly.work we are here to help walk you through the state hiring process!

This position is not eligible for a visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for a visa spoonsorship by the start date of employment.

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

Simple Application Steps

If you are interested in this position, complete the following steps: 

1. Review the education and experience minimum qualifications (MQ’s) of the Research Data Specialist I . See the Minimum Requirements section above.
2. Complete the supplemental application and the state application by clicking “Apply Now” above. See below for detailed application instructions.
3. Submit your application package with all required documents, which include the supplemental application - see the "Required Application Package Documents" section below.
4. Once you have applied, take the Research Data Specialist I Examination. Here is the link to the exam bulletin for this classification: Research Data Specialist I

Education: If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include a copy of your diploma/degree and/or unofficial/informal transcripts for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment.

It is critical to review the Classification Specifications to determine if you will meet the minimum qualifications (MQ’s). Please make note of Education and Experience requirements for the classification. The Classification Specification and MQ’s can be found here: Research Data Specialist I Supplemental Application

Applicants must include a Supplemental Application (SA) for this recruitment. The SA serves as documentation of each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. The SA must be no more that two pages in length, double-spaced and using 12-point font. You must indicate your Full Name and Job Control Number at the top right corner. Candidates who fail to provide the SA with their applicaiton or do not follow SA instructions may be disqualified. Resumes do not take the place of the SA. Describe your experience developing complex SQL or analytic programming solutions for large, multi - system data environments. In your response, provide a specific example where you:

• Integrated data across multiple source systems,

• Designed or optimized a data pipeline or ETL process, and

• Ensured data quality, consistency, or lineage accuracy.

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: 10/19/2026

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.

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:

Department of Health Care Services

Mailing

Attn: Certification Technician

M.S. 1300

P.O. Box 997411

Sacramento , CA 95899-7411

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Health Care Services

Drop-Off

1501 Capitol Avenue, Suite 71.1501

Sacramento , CA 95814

08:00 AM - 05:00 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.
• Supplemental Application - In order to be considered for this position, you must complete and submit a Supplemental Application (SA). Directions for completing the SA are in the Special Requirements Section above. 

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

DHCS is dedicated to creating an innovative workplace for its team members that is inclusive, diverse, and interactive! Here are a few of the ways we stay engaged with our team:

• Continuous and ongoing training
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program activities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Additionally, as a team member of the State of California, you may be eligible for many benefits, such as:

• Medical, including health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Holidays and vacation/leave
• Defined retirement program
• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts

Full benefits information can be found on CalHR's 

provides more information about our commitment to serving Californians and organizational excellence.

We need your help! Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief optional survey: SurveyMonkey link. This survey is not required to be considered for this position.

Contact Information

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

Hiring Unit Contact:
Arlene Saucedo
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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 Officer
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California Relay Service: View phone number on us.fitly.work (TTY), View phone number on us.fitly.work (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Telework and Salary Information

This position is currently eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change consistent with DHCS’ Telework Program and Government Code sections 14200 – 14203. Telework is available to California residents, and proof of residency may be required.

The DHCS office location for this position is 1700 K Street, Sacramento, CA.
Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 agreement Salary:

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the temporary Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee receive a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The temporary salary reduction percentage and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are based on the position’s associated bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not include the temporary salary reduction. Please reach out to the hiring unit contact listed on this job advertisement for details.