RESEARCH DATA ANALYST II

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California's CAL FIRE Department seeks a Research Data Analyst II to join the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The role is based in Sacramento with a hybrid work arrangement and statewide travel up to 10%.

The position is permanent full time, salaries range 6,647 to 8,325 USD per month, with the added context that PLP 2025 pay reductions apply and are not reflected in listed ranges.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Geographic Information Systems, or related fields.
• Experience with ESRI Software.
• Experience working with executive management and emergency management services.

Skills

Experience with executive management &

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Geographic Information Systems, and other related fields

Tools

ESRI Software

Job description

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

JC-532883 - Research Data Analyst II

$6,647.00 - $8,325.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 10/6/2026

To be eligible for consideration,you must meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
1) Taken and passed the examination for this classification and be on a current certified list;
2) Eligible to transfer.
Applicants that successfully pass the examination will be placed on an eligibility list. Obtaining list eligibility does not guarantee employment. Those interested in obtaining employment must apply and compete through the State recruitment process.

Sign up for CAL FIRE exam notifications here. General information on CAL FIRE career opportunities can be found here. For questions about the exam process, job application process, or about career opportunities with CAL FIRE, email our Recruitment Unit at [e-mail] or call [phone].

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

Working Conditions

Statewide travel may be required up to 10%.

This position is required to report to the office a minimum of 4 days per week, with a one day telework/hybrid option.

This position is located in the California Natural Resources Headquarters in downtown Sacramento, offering convenient access to I-5, the Capital City Freeway (I-80), and next to light rail station. The building features a fitness center, indoor bicycle and scooter storage, a variety of indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, and a multi-option food court.

Minimum Requirements

The minimum qualifications can be found in the Research Data Analyst II classification specifications.

Job Details

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California’s fire department and resource management agency. The organization is comprised of nearly 14,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.

When you join CAL FIRE, you join a family of employees that function as a team. You will build trust and friendship with your co-workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. CAL FIRE provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunities. CAL FIRE offers well-paying careers and opportunities for advancement. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!

Special Requirements

All job applicants must provide their employment history on the application form (State Application STD 678) rather than attaching a resume to the form, otherwise the application may be considered incomplete.

1. Do NOT include ANY confidential information on any documents you submit for a 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 (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

2. Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined a candidate does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Required Application Package Documents

• 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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. Failure to include the Statement of Qualifications as required shall result in disqualification from the hiring process. Please see the section labeled "Statement of Qualifications" for further information.

Desirable Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Geographic Information Systems, and other related fields.
• Experience with ESRI Software.
• Experience working with executive management and emergency management services.

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

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

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:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
[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.

Statement of Qualifications

Please submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Your SOQ will be considered the first interview for this position and applications submitted without the SOQ will not be considered. The SOQ must be formatted as outlined in this advertisement. Specifically, the SOQ must:

Please address the following using 12-point font and limit your response to no more than one page in length.

Please describe a GIS project that you personally worked on that required you to make decisions about data selection, geoprocessing methods, and quality control. Describe the specific problem you were tasked with solving, the datasets you used, challenges you had to overcome, and any other relevant information. Please mention specific Esri products you used, if applicable.

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 workplace. 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.