Data Request Scientist (Hybrid)

California Department of Health Care Services; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continuous training

DEI program activities

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid holidays and vacation

Defined retirement program (Savings)

Job summary

California Department of Health Care Services is seeking a Research Scientist (Hybrid) to lead evaluation of large-scale data projects, develop metadata standards, and support CMS 64 reporting. The role emphasizes data quality, SAS/SQL-based analytics, and collaboration with partners to define Medi-Cal populations and data definitions.

The role is a 12-month limited-term full-time position located in Sacramento with telework options and a hybrid work arrangement.

Qualifications

• It is desired that the incumbent demonstrates strong analytic, statistical, data governance, organizational, and communication skills.
• Expertise in data quality assessment/assurance processes, statistical sampling, statistical analysis, and research methodologies in an applied research setting.
• Knowledge of advanced processes for capturing data and project management principles; ability to design and implement complex research projects.
• Experience using SAS, SQL, Microsoft BI, ArcGIS, and advanced Excel; Medi-Cal and MIS/DSS Data Warehouse experience are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and direct major complex research projects and data quality initiatives.
• Define scope and parameters of research criteria; collaborate with business partners on feasibility.
• Develop and maintain metadata standards, data definitions, and data querying methodologies.
• Support program integrity assessments and CMS 64 data reporting.

Skills

Data governance

Analytic skills

Statistical analysis

Research methodologies

Communication skills

Tools

SAS

SQL

Microsoft BI

ArcGIS

Advanced Excel

Job description

Work Location

Sacramento County

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.

About this Role: The Enterprise Data and Information Management (EDIM), Data Analytics Division (DAD) at the California DHCS is seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to join our team as a Research Scientist (RS) within the Data Fulfillment Branch (DFB).

Under general supervision of the Research Scientist Supervisor I, the RS serves as a department scientific lead for evaluating complex, large-scale, research and data quality projects related to confidential data file development, data linkage and management, and development of measure specification standards. Incumbents will give input on determining, designing, and directing major complex research projects, in addition to extracting and providing data for these activities. The RS is required to determine the scope and parameters of research criteria and to collaboratively work with business partners to assess the feasibility of requests. The RS will be an integral part in defining specific Medi-Cal populations, focused on the development, documentation, and maintenance of metadata standards, data definitions, SAS coding, analytic and data querying methodologies, as well as the development and maintenance of a centralized knowledge library of such information. The RS will support program integrity assessments and provide data analytical support to requests related to CMS 64 claiming compliance.

Training and Development (T&D) assignments may be considered for this position for current California civil service employees. T&D assignments cannot exceed 24 months. However, successful T&D candidates may transition to a permanent appointment, if eligible at the end of the T&D assignment.

This position has been advertised as limited term and is expected to last 12 months; it may become permanent or be extended.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Please see the Telework and Salary Information section below for telework, reporting location, and temporary statewide salary reduction details.

Minimum Requirements

• RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code

JC-531962

Position #(s)

803-396-5582-910

Working Title

Data Request Scientist (Hybrid)

Classification

RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Salary

$7,625.00 - $9,799.00

# of Positions

Multiple

Telework

Hybrid

Job Type

12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Department Information

DHCS’ purpose is to provide equitable access to quality health care leading to a healthy California for all.

DHCS is a dynamic organization with ambitious goals and talented, committed employees. We work hard every day to fulfill our vital responsibility to support the delivery of quality health care to Californians. DHCS is committed to addressing disparities within our organization and in our communities through efforts toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is accomplished, in part, by a commitment toward employing a diverse workforce that reflects the many communities we serve, and by promoting and enforcing equal employment opportunity.

Take a look at some of the DHCS' recent projects and happenings that our Department has accomplished in the DHCS Newsroom.

The DAD's mission is to describe and analyze data to answer questions that can be used to meet business objectives and drive decision-making.

All hires pending HR approval.

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:

It is desired that the incumbent demonstrates strong analytic, statistical, data governance, organizational, and communication skills, as well as an expertise in data quality assessment/assurance processes, statistical sampling, statistical analysis, and research methodologies in an applied research setting. It is preferred that the incumbent is knowledgeable of advanced processes for capturing data and project management principles, along with the ability to design and implement complex research projects. As well as having demonstrated experience using statistical software such SAS, Structured Query Language, Microsoft Business Intelligence, ArcGIS, advanced Excel, and/or similar software. Experience with Medi-Cal and the Management Information System/Decision Support System (MIS/DSS) Data Warehouse are preferred.

Benefits

• Continuous and ongoing training
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program activities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• 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

Contact Information

Hiring Unit Contact: Kathy Lao

[phone]

[e-mail]

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

[phone]

[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Telework and Salary Information

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.

The DHCS office location for this position is at 1700 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95811.

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 agreement

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 positions 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.