Research Data Specialist I

Job Description and Duties

RE-ADVERTISEMENT: If you previously applied to this position, it is not necessary to submit a new application.

The Research Data Specialist I (RDS I) serves as a technical expert within the Fiscal Decision Support Unit, under general direction of the Research Data Supervisor II. The RDS I performs fiscal research, quantitative modeling, and data integration analyses to support statewide fiscal oversight, cost containment, and budget impact assessments for the Department of Developmental Services (department). This position is responsible for designing and maintaining fiscal performance dashboards, developing sensitivity and cost-driver analyses, supporting the Data Task Force in advancing fiscal data fluency, and providing consultative expertise on the integration of fiscal, demographic, and service utilization datasets.

Effective July 1, 2025, State employees are subject to a salary reduction of three percent in exchange for five hours per month of the Personal Leave.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Under Government Code 14200, this position is a hybrid, in-office/telework position, and may be subject to change. Incumbent can be required to report to the office, or any designated location at any time. Telework agreements can be modified and/or cancelled at any time.

Pursuant to California Government Code requirements, candidates must be residents of the State of California at the time of appointment.

All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

This position requires lawful authorization to work in the United States. The Department does not sponsor employment visas for this position.

Onsite work is performed in an open-spaced, partitioned office environment. The office is located in a multi-story building in downtown Sacramento. Work requires the use of a computer.  Occasional daytime and overnight statewide travel may be required.

Special Requirements

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be numbered in the same order as the following areas, typed in 12-point Arial font, single spaced, and be no more than two pages in length. Applicants who fail to answer the questions or submit an SOQ may not be considered.

1. Describe a time series forecasting project that you worked on in the past. Please give details of the workflow. In particular, how did you assess data quality and prepare data for the task? What forecast methodology did you select and why? How did you communicate forecast results? Was there any follow up steps after the results were delivered?

2. Give details of a data visualization project of yours. What was the purpose of the visual and what analytics were included? Talk about ideas behind the visual design and tools that you selected to build the visual. If you were to redo the same project again, what would you change to improve the visual?

If you are using list eligibility from an on-line exam to qualify for this position, you MUST include with your application any documentation (i.e., copy of transcript, degree, license, etc.) to verify meeting the MQ’s or you may not be considered for the position.

The MQs will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If it is determined that an applicant does not meet the MQs of the classification, the applicant may not be considered and withheld from the eligible list.

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:

Expertise in fiscal modeling, cost decomposition, and budget forecasting; proficiency in SQL, Python, R, and data visualization tools (Python/Power BI/Tableau); strong understanding of econometric or machine learning methods applied to fiscal data; excellent communication and collaboration skills; familiar with source code version control system such as Git; working knowledge of docker containerization platform.

Benefits

As a state employee working for the Department of Developmental Services, you and your family will have access to excellent medical, dental and vision insurance benefits in addition to retirement benefits.

Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment. Additional benefits may also be outlined for specific bargaining units in employee collective bargaining contracts. For more information, please visit the links below:

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

Additional Information

Electronic application submission is highly encouraged.

Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment. This recruitment may be utilized to fill future vacancies that may occur during the life of the certification list.

If you are basing your eligibility on educational requirements, you MUST provide a legible copy of your degree or transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) as proof of meeting the education requirement as listed in the Classification Specification (please see the Class Specification located under “Minimum Requirements” on the left-hand side of this job posting).

Note:  All foreign transcripts MUST be accompanied by a third-party academic credential evaluation. The link for the commission certification is: 

If you are not basing your eligibility on an educational requirement, you may instead use the bypass option (when applying, select Choose/Upload for the required document and then select Bypass File). Please redact birthdate and social security number from degree/transcripts.

***If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma .  An official transcript may be required prior to appointment.

All appointments are subject to State Restriction of Appointment (SROA), Departmental Restriction of Appointment (DROA), Re-employment List procedures, pre-employment physical and fingerprint clearances. Further information on the definition of the above may be found on the California Department of Human Resources' website at:  .

If you have not taken the Research Data Specialist I exam/assessment you may find the exam for this classification at the link below. You must take and pass the exam/assessment to obtain eligibility for hire. Click to gain list eligibility.

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• School Transcripts
• Statement of Qualifications -

  A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and is a narrative discussion of how the candidate's education, training, experience, and skills meet the minimum and desirable qualifications and qualify them for the position. The SOQ serves as a documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing.  SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS” ABOVE FOR INSTRUCTIONS.