RESEARCH DATA ANALYST II

California Department of Social Services; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Department of Social Services in Sacramento is seeking a Research Data Analyst II/I in the Fiscal Forecasting Branch. The role combines strong math, research abilities, and analytical work to build fiscal estimates that inform the State Budget and program funding decisions.

RDA II is a senior analyst role, expected to mentor staff, lead complex assignments, and may serve as acting manager when required.

Qualifications

• Strong math skills and statistical reasoning.
• Research abilities and analytical experience to develop fiscal estimates.
• Ability to mentor junior staff and lead complex assignments.

Responsibilities

• Mentor junior staff and take a lead role in complex assignments.
• Develop robust fiscal estimates considering multiple variables affecting the state budget.
• Work with cross‑department teams to provide data driven insights for budgeting.

Job description

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-534584

Position (s): 800-676-5731-705

Working Title

Research Data Analyst II/I

Classification

RESEARCH DATA ANALYST II

$6,647.00 - $8,325.00 A

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Shall Consider

RESEARCH DATA ANALYST I

$4,469.00 - $5,079.00 A

$4,611.00 - $5,495.00 B

$5,529.00 - $6,922.00 C

# of Positions

1

Work Location

Sacramento County

Telework

Hybrid

Job Type

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The vision of the California Department of Social Services is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive.

Do you have strong technical skills in research and data analysis? Are you interested in contributing in a meaningful way to assist California’s low-income families and individuals? Come join the Fiscal Forecasting Branch at the California Department of Social Services as a Research Data Analyst (RDA) II, also considering RDA I.

CDSS Guiding Principles

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Accessibility. Belonging.

Community Engagement

We prioritize the lived experiences of community members as a driving force behind the creation, implementation, desired impact, or change of programs and services.

Empowerment

We engage, operate, and advocate from the understanding that each community and person has desires and capabilities to lead in their own life.

Quality Services

We provide services that align intent and impact by ensuring that they are accessible, community driven, interconnected, and continuously improved.

Data Defined Outcomes

We equitably collect and analyze data, take data-driven action, and measure outcomes relevant to those we serve, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Job Description And Duties

CDSS is looking for a highly motivated Research Data Analyst I/II (RDA I/II) with strong math skills, research abilities, and analytical experience to join the Fiscal Forecasting Branch (FFB). The FFB is comprised of three bureaus: Family Engagement and Equity Estimates Bureau (FEEEB), Children, Adult, and Housing Programs Estimates Bureau (CAHPEB), and the Child Care Fiscal Services Bureau. The FFB develops the annual Local Assistance Governor’s Budget and May Revision update for programs administered by the County Welfare Departments and Child Care and Development Agencies. In addition, the FFB is responsible in providing a fiscal analysis of proposed legislative bills that have a potential impact to the Department.

The RDA II’s are senior analysts that work with minimal direction. It is essential for the RDA I/II to possess a strong background in mathematics and statistics as well as analytical skills to conceptualize, develop, and create fiscal estimates that are robust and consider multiple variables (e.g., funding environment, political considerations, data integration). The work intersects with multiple branches across the department and the RDA I/II needs to develop strong working relationships to be successful. The work produced will be scrutinized closely by senior management, executive staff, and external stakeholders because it will have direct implications for the State Budget.

It is desirable that the RDA I/II have an understanding of social service programs’ policies and experience in interpreting and applying statutes, regulations and procedures. Additionally, the RDA I/II must be able to work independently, reason logically, and possess strong analytical skills. The RDA I/II is expected to mentor junior staff members, take a lead role in complex assignments, and work as an acting manager when required. For this RDA I/II position, it is essential the applicant has a strong research background from academia and/or from work experience in a data driven environment.

The Department of Social Services does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

If you would like to share how you learned about this career opportunity, please take a moment to complete our brief Recruitment Survey.

Need help with applying for positions, taking an examination, or preparing for interviews? Our team is here to support you, reach out anytime at [e-mail] For guidance on applying for a state job, visit Three Steps to a State Job.

Follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on our latest opportunities.

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

Special Requirements

Do not include any confidential information on any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

This position requires a “Statement of Qualifications” not to exceed two pages in length, size 12-point Arial font. The Statement of Qualifications must specifically address the following three questions: (Resumes do not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications.) A complete application package must include names and contact information for three most recent supervisors.

• What interests you most about this position?
• Describe a specific project(s) in which you have researched or evaluated a problem and assessed alternatives. Explain the process you used for analyzing the issue, the recommendation(s) you provided and the outcome.
• Estimating the impact of various policies and program changes for various social services programs is a primary requirement of this job. What in your experience prepares you for this type of work?
• Please describe your experience making oral and written presentations to inform important decision making.

You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is not complete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history.

If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

Final Filing Date: 10/16/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

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.