RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

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:

Under general direction of the Manager II in the Managed Care Mointoring Branch, the Research Data Specialist III (RDS III) serves as a senior research and data expert supporting compliance monitoring required under the Managed Care Final Rule and the broader oversight of the Medi-Cal Managed Care program. The role leads advanced research, analytical, and monitoring activities that inform program enforcement within the managed care delivery system. Positioned within a program division rather than a traditional data unit, the incumbent focuses on coordination, collaboration, and liaison work with the Department’s data and technology partners including the Program Data Reporting Division (PDRD), Health Information Management Division (HIMD), and Enterprise Technology Services (ETS). In partnership with these divisions, the RDS III contributes to the development and refinement of monitoring methodologies, shared data exchange processes, and databases and reporting tools used to track grievances, appeals, audit findings, and corrective action plan outcomes tied to Final Rule requirements. Key responsibilities include translating program needs into clear business requirements, participating in the joint development and validation of monitoring datasets, and interpreting results to support oversight and enforcement. The RDS III identifies anomalies, emerging trends, and potential indicators of non-compliance, elevating issues to program leadership when necessary. The position also provides leadership, consultation, and training to staff and collaborates closely with Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs), other governmental agencies, and internal partners to ensure accurate, consistent, and meaningful reporting. The RDS III documents methodologies and findings and produces high-quality reports, dashboards, and presentations that communicate monitoring results and support program decision-making.

This position has been advertised as limited term and is expected to last 12 months. This limited term position may be extended up to 24 months if supported by workload or may become permanent if workload becomes permanent.

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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 simple steps:

1. Review the education and experience minimum qualifications (MQ’s) of the 

   See the Minimum Requirements section above.

2. Complete the state application by clicking “Apply Now” above. See below for detailed application instructions.
3. Submit your application package with all required documents - see the "Required Application Package Documents" section below.
4. Once you have applied, take the Examination.

Applicants must include a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for this recruitment. The SOQ is a narrative discussion, not a cover letter, prepared by the applicant describing how their skills, knowledge, abilities, education, training, and experience, qualify them for the position.

Statement of Qualifications Requirement Section

The SOQ serves as documentation of the applicant’s ability to present information clearly and provide DHCS additional information about their experience and qualifications concisely in writing. The DHCS may not consider applicants who fail to provide an SOQ with their application. Resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

The SOQ must be no more than 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. Please also number responses to coordinate with the questions.

Candidates who do not complete and submit an SOQ may not be considered for this position.

Describe your experience developing dashboards or analytical reporting tools that support program monitoring or decision-making. In your response, address the following:

1.Provide an example of a dashboard or program analytics tool you helped design, refine, or implement.

2.Explain your role in defining business needs or analytical requirements and how you translated those needs into functional dashboard elements.

3.Discuss how you validated or interpreted the resulting analytics, and how program leadership used the information.

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: 9/4/2026

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 JC-526071

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

Certification Section JC-526071

1501 Capitol Avenue, Suite 71.1501

Sacramento , CA 95814

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see Statement of Qualifications Section.
• Other - Cover Letter 

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: . 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:
Emilie Ibarra
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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

Telework: 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.

Beginning July 1, 2026, pursuant to Executive Order N-22-25 issued March 3, 2025, and California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) Statewide Guidance issued March 13, 2025, DHCS team members generally will be required to report in-person a minimum of four days per week unless exempted/excepted.

Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated office and residence subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The DHCS office location for this position is 1501 Capitol Ave, Sacramento, CA 95814.

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.