Senior Mitigation Research Specialist

Job Description and Duties

**This is a 12 month Limited-Term position that may be extended up to 24 months and/or with the possibility of becoming permanent.**

Are you looking for an exciting and fast-paced career? Join the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and be part of an organization that serves as a leader in emergency management and homeland security through dedicated service to all. We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our team. If you are interested in a challenging opportunity in a high-energy, team-oriented environment, you are encouraged to apply.

The Hazard Mitigation Assistance Branch works to build resiliency and support communities as they plan and implement projects to adapt to the impacts of climate change, including flooding, extreme weather, wildfire, and drought, and other hazards such as earthquakes.

Under general direction of the Program Manager I (PM I) within the Hazard Mitigation Assessment Unit, the Research Data Specialist II(RDS II) works with Cal OES program staff to measure the success of Cal OES efforts to reduce disaster risk and enhance resiliency from climate change. This is an integral role in ensuring that Cal OES is accurately measuring the success of disaster recovery and mitigation actions, continuously updating best practices, and ensuring communities are employing the most effective actions toward building resiliency.

The incumbent will design studies and undertake geospatial, statistical, and qualitative analysis on program interventions to measure success. Write reports and studies, recommend the adoption of applications, and determine authoritative data services. Plans for and performs data creation, preparation and modeling for loss avoidance studies, risk assessment, disaster recovery and other products as necessary.

Identify and resolve database-related issues, provide enhancements to applications and dashboard products, make recommendations for process improvements and new solutions for effective program management, and deliver analytical products for both program-specific areas and general emergency response and recovery. Works with external agencies on data sharing, distribution, modeling capabilities, and integrates data sharing capability within a web environment.

Will be required to use various software tools including but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite, ENGAGE, Oracle accounting system, Lotus Notes database functions, FEMA BCA Toolkit, FEMA eGrants database, FEMA GO, and FEMA National Emergency Management Information System (NEMIS) database, Smartsheet, OES ArcGIS, and Snowflake databases, and remain current on all new databases, updates, and upgrades.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is located in the Hazard Mitigation Assessment Unit in Mather.

Hybrid Telework: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Additional in office days may be required based on the business need.

Conflict of Interest (COI): This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code and is required to complete Form 700 within 30 days of appointment. Failure to comply with the Conflict of Interest Code requirements may void the appointment.

Special Requirements

Application Package Requirements

To have your application considered for this job opportunity:

• List the Job Code (JC) and Position Number for this position in the “EXAMINATION(S) OR JOB TITLE(S) FOR WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING” section on the State Application, STD. 678.
• List your most current employment history first in the “EMPLOYMENT HISTORY” section on the STD. 678.
• Provide the “From” and “To” dates with the month, day and year, the “Hours Per Week” that you worked and the Total Worked (Years/Months). You may include overtime hours.
• You must complete the “DUTIES PERFORMED” on the State Application ( do not note “see attached resume” in this section ). Failure to comply and your application is considered incomplete.
• SROA and Surplus are encouraged to apply and must submit a copy of their letter.
• Please note consideration shall be given to work experience gained in a part-time or full-time job, regardless of whether the job was a paid or a volunteer position or was within, or outside of, state service.

If using education to qualify please submit a copy of your transcripts. If selected, official transcripts will be required. Foreign education must obtain and submit verification of United States course/degree equivalency.

NOTE: Incomplete applications received may not be considered. Resumes are welcomed but do not take the place of the completed State Application STD 678. Applications received via fax or email will NOT be accepted. If you would like confirmation of receipt, please send certified mail.

**A candidate pool may be established for subsequent vacancies.**

**All hires may be subject to a criminal background check.**

**We encourage applicants to apply electronically.**

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:

1. Knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware, and software, including but not limited to:

• Geospatial Software: ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, QGIS, and other ESRI platforms for mapping, spatial analysis, and geodatabase management.            
• Data Analysis Tools: Python (including Pandas, NumPy, and Matplotlib libraries), R, and SQL for data processing, modeling, and statistical analysis.
• Visualization Platforms: Tableau, Power BI, and ArcGIS Dashboards for creating interactive dashboards, heatmaps, and data visualizations to aid in decision-making.
• Hazard and Emergency-Specific Software: FEMA’s Hazus, CALAdapt, and flood risk modeling tools to assess impacts, model secondary hazards, and evaluate progress.
• Remote Sensing and Imagery Tools: Satellite imagery processing via Google Earth Engine or other platforms for burn area mapping, vegetation analysis, and change detection.
  

2. Knowledge of data management and data governance principles
3. Knowledge/understanding of data concepts and ability to develop queries for statistical analyses; understanding of data limitations and research methods.
4. Excellent analytical skills and the ability to think strategically while remaining focused on goals and objectives.

5. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders from a wide variety of professional backgrounds and experiences.

6. Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, be persistent, and solve problems as they arise.

7. Strong background in statistics and technical/academic writing.

8. Experience working in focus groups and analyzing qualitative data.

9. Experience in supporting conducting research independently within or in partnership with other organizations and coworkers.

10. Experience designing and coordinating the implementation of research projects within organizational constraints and resource limitations.

11. Experience supporting and training staff and community partners that are unfamiliar with research, to collect, manage, and analyze data.

Benefits

Cal OES employees are eligible for a number of benefits and working for us is a great opportunity to join a committed team. Benefits include but are not limited to the following:

• Free Parking
• On-site Gym and Locker room
• Electric Carport
• Excellent CalPERS state pension plan
• 401(k) and 457(b) Plans
• Flexible Schedules
• Generous paid time off
• Health, dental & vision insurance for the employee or the employee's family
• Investment in careers development
• Located near many local eateries, financial institutions, and the Light Rail Station

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

Statement of Qualifications

All applicants must provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Failure to include an SOQ may disqualify an applicant from consideration.

A resume in lieu of the SOQ responses may disqualify an applicant from consideration. A standard or generic SOQ may disqualify an applicant from consideration.

Please review the Duty Statement and Desirable Qualifications for this position.

SOQ FORMAT INSTRUCTIONS:

• The SOQ should be no more than two (2) pages, single sided, single-spaced in 12-point Arial font
• Margins not less than one inch
• First and last name at the top of the page

PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING:

1. After reading the duty statement, describe your education and professional experience that make you a strong candidate for the RDS II position in the Hazard Mitigation Assessment Unit.
2. Describe a project where you independently gathered, compiled and interpreted data. Specifically mention tools you use to ensure the precision of the data and numerical accuracy and any reports you may have created to answer specific questions or identify a trend.

For assistance in uploading documents, including the SOQ, you may want to consider watching the following video from CalHR's Training Catalog:  Upload SOQ to your Application Package

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 refer to the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) section at the bottom of this job bulletin for the filing instructions and the SOQ Question(s). Applications submitted without the SOQ may not be considered.