Research Data Specialist

Job Description and Duties

Will Consider Research Data Specialist II. 

Under the general direction of a Research Data Supervisor II, the incumbent performs data related work in support of the Division  of Data and Digital Services and other California DOT divisions, state and federal agencies supporting data-related strategies for  decision making activities in planning, sustainability, accessibility, design, economic assessment, project delivery and traffic  operations practices. The incumbent works closely with internal and external partners to Caltrans providing enterprise and webbased  data platforms support.

PARF 64-27-0005 / JC 527836

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.3

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Working Conditions

Position located at 1120 N St Sacramento, Sacramento County.

The incumbent works primarily in a climate controlled office environment under artificial and natural lighting, or remotely telecommuting. On occasion the incumbent will be required to travel.

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Research Data Specialist I  exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click and search by typing in the classification title.

This is a Limited Term position which may be extended to 24 months or become permanent. 

Special Requirements

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Failure to submit a Statement of Qualifications will disqualify candidates from the hiring process.

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as documentation of each applicant’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Please follow the instructions below; failure to include and complete the SOQ as instructed may result in the SOQ not being considered and in disqualification from the interview. Each question must be numbered and addressed in the same order as the questions below. The SOQ must be typed, no more than two pages in length, and 12-point Arial font.

1. Describe your education, experience, skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to data analysis and this position.

2. Describe your experience collecting, validating, and analyzing big datasets. Share an example explaining your role, actions, and outcome.

3. Please describe your experience explaining and presenting data to a large audience. What data tools have you used?

4. Describe your project management experience working on data research projects. What are some specific projects or tasks you worked on? What was your role? What was the outcome? What could you have done better?

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment.  If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: or .  Please redact birthdates and social security numbers

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:

KNOWLEGE OF: Data collection, validation, analysis, and presentation; data base design and management techniques;  concepts of and terms used in engineering and planning; project management methodologies and tools; Microsoft Outlook and  Microsoft Office suite.  ABILITY TO: Independently and successfully perform complex research and analysis projects involving various types of data and

techniques and methodologies associated. The incumbent also will need to be equally able in the use of office automation tools  such as desktop and server products, handling of various administrative matters and responsibilities, prepare reports and present  information publicly; communicate effectively, establish and maintain friendly and cooperative relations with those contacted,  successfully follow directions and complete assignments, and keep the Office Chief/RDM informed and involved.

ANALYTICAL REQUIREMENTS: Analyze business needs to determine requirements. Analyze requirements to determine  alternative solutions. Analyze alternative solutions to determine preferred solution. Analyze project management and application  design and development methodologies and tools to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Benefits

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

Important Application Instructions

Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.

Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.

NOTE: Do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts.  Confidential information that should be  excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver’s license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age.  The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position.  Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.

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 -

  Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see the Special Requirements section for SOQ instructions.