RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST II

Job Description and Duties

Please note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify.

Are you looking for a position where you can apply your data expertise to the protection and restoration of California’s watersheds and wetlands? The State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality is seeking a Research Data Specialist II to join the Wetlands Permitting and Planning Unit. If you enjoy being part of a dynamic and inclusive team that works to protect the environment, then this may be the position for you! This complex but fulfilling work is well suited for a professional that possesses both strong technical and interpersonal skills. Apply today and join our team. The position is located at 1001 I Street, 15th Floor, Sacramento, right in the heart of downtown next to light rail stations and other public transportation.

Please review the attached Duty Statement for detailed information regarding job duties.

Additional information:

Candidates must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class.

If the position requires driving, you must possess a current and valid driver’s license. Please Do Not include full Social Security Number, method of eligibility, and LEAP information in your application package.

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

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position .

In accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy and GC 14200, the successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.  Proof of residency may be required.

Salary Information - CalHR salary rules allow appointment at the entrance rate (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 2, § 599.673) of a classification. For classes with alternate ranges, placement is based on education/experience. E mployees appointed to the Attorney or Water Resource Control Engineer classification will receive Recruitment Higher Above Minimum (HAM) rate in accordance with the approved

In addition, note: Effective July 1, 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee’s monthly salary in exchange for leave credits. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue hours of PLP 2025 on the first day of each pay period in accordance with the applicable The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.

Special Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, you must include the following:

• RPA# 25-250-163 in the “Examination or Job Title(s)” section of the State application when submitting a hardcopy application.

• Photocopies of degree and official transcripts (if needed to establish eligibility)

Must have Research Data Specialist II list, transfer, or reinstatement eligibility and be reachable on the certification list. Here is the link to the exam:  

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States that does meet accreditation standards must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due during final minimum qualification evaluation of candidate(s). A link of accepted evaluation agencies can be found here: .

Electronic submittal of applications and attachments through jobs.ca.gov is preferred. Emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD. 678), including work experience, dates, hours worked, contact names and phone numbers of supervisors on the state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD. 678 may be disqualified.

In the hiring interview, the panel will consider education, experience, personal development, personal traits and fitness for the job. In appraising experience, more weight may be given to the breadth of pertinent experience and evidence of the candidate's ability to accept and fulfill increasing responsibilities than to the length of his/her experience. For additional information, you may refer to the class specification.

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:

• Experience designing, implementing or maintaining IT solutions to support program goals.
• Experience designing, managing, analyzing, and interpreting complex data using statistical, database, and reporting tools (such as SQL, R, SAS, Python, Tableau, Power BI, Excel, or similar software).
• Experience supporting environmental protection regulatory programs and/or collecting, managing, analyzing, or reporting environmental data to inform decision-making and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with geospatial software, spatial data, and related technologies to perform advanced geospatial analyses and develop maps, reports, and visual products.
• Experience applying data analysis, statistical methods, or quantitative research to support the development, evaluation, or implementation of environmental plans, policies, or permits.
• Commitment to good customer service and delivering quality work products under tight deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain technical information in plain language.
• Demonstrated success working both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail with project management, including documentation of methodological decision-making and work-flow processes.

Benefits

Water Board employees may be eligible for benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most permanent, full-time employees, and some permanent, part-time employees. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. and

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with the State Application and serves as documentation of candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. It should be typed, no more than two (2) pages in length, using ( Arial 12 pt. font ) , and normal margins.

The Statement of Qualifications must describe how you meet the Desired Qualifications listed above, including examples. Candidates who do not meet every Desirable Qualification are still encouraged to apply and describe how your education and experience make you a good fit for the position, based on the Duty Statement.  

Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated will not be considered.

For guidance on writing effective SOQs, visit:  . Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be useful in the development of written responses; however, it is important to use these tools responsibly and ethically. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.

Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the SOQ.

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 - Please see below for specific SOQ requirements. 
  • For guidance on writing effective SOQs, visit:  Work4CA: How to Write a Statement of Qualifications . Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be useful in the development of written responses; however, it is important to use these tools responsibly and ethically. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.
• Other - Cover letter is required and must be included.