RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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Job summary

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) seeks a System Admin Specialist working as Research Data Specialist I to develop and maintain the Vital Statistics Application (VSA) data submission system. You will train internal staff and external stakeholders on VSA use and perform ongoing maintenance and system enhancements.

As a subject-matter expert, you will review data applications, liaise with stakeholders, ensure ADA compliance, and post documents on branch pages.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications per Class Specification for Research Data Specialist I.
• Ability to train internal staff and external stakeholders on system use.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the CDPH online vital statistics data submission system.
• Train internal staff and external stakeholders on the Vital Statistics Application (VSA).
• Review data applications for completion and liaise with stakeholders; ensure ADA compliance and publish documents on branch pages.

Job description

System Admin Specialist
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I

$6,955.00 - $8,706.00 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: 9/18/2026

Job Description and Duties

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by independently developing and maintaining a CDPH online vital statistics data application submission system.

The Research Data Specialist I (RDS I) trains internal staff and external stakeholders on how to utilize the Vital Statistics Application (VSA) system. Provides ongoing maintenance and enhancements of the VSA system. As a subject matter expert, reviews vital statistics data applications for completion and works as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders. Ensures Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and posts all documents on the branch internet web pages.

The incumbent works under the general direction of the Supervisor II, Supervisor of the Vital Statistics Administration Section.

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.

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

Working Conditions

Telework Information :

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Travel

May be required for this position. Reimbursement for travel takes into consideration an employee’s designated headquarters, as reflected in the duty statement, and is subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate. The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the attached duty statement.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I

RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I $6,955.00 - $8,706.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees.In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

Would you like to work for an energetic, high-performing organization? If so, we invite you to come join us at CDPH. The Vital Records and Statistics Division (VRSD) is responsible for department-wide initiatives to improve the effectiveness of our work through better health information systems, increased application of epidemiologic methods of analysis, strong liaisons with public health organizations and schools of public health, and effective partnerships with local health agencies and professionals.

The Research and Analytics Branch (RAB) provides access to essential health data and statistical resources that support public health research, policy development, community health assessments, and public inquiries. Our work serves government agencies, academic institutions, private researchers, and the public.

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*The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.

In order to be considered for this position, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts official or un-official and/or Degree for education verification.

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678) and/or Resume, including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week , and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY) . Application packages without this information will experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted electronically via your CalCareers Account. Please reference Job Control # (530913) and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application. Please remove any confidential information (i.e. social security number, date of birth) from your documents prior to submission.

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 Office
[phone]

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.

The Supplemental Questionnaire should be no more than two (2) pages, single-spaced, and no smaller than 12-point font. Please title the document “Supplemental Questionnaire” and number your responses to the following:

• Describe a complex, data driven web application or submission system you have owned or maintained. Explain how you collaborated with stakeholders to design or enhance the system, optimized SQL database structures (queries, stored procedures, pipelines) for integrity and performance, and resolved issues through coding/debugging and quality controls. Include the specific technologies you used and quantitative results.
• Explain an end-to-end workflow you managed for reviewing and processing data applications or requests. How did you ensure adherence to statutory requirements, provide clear guidance to applicants, and produce reports that helped leadership monitor workflow? Describe how you developed training materials and trained diverse user groups on system functionality.
• Provide an example where you used analytics and automation (e.g. SAS, R, SQL, Python, Databricks) to create performance metrics and/or streamline a complex data management or request process.

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:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail; ability to work both independently and as part of a team; and perform work accurately and thoroughly to meet deadlines.
• Experience with using programming language (i.e. SAS, R, Python, Databricks, and/or SQL). Willingness to learn new technological tools and to incorporate them in daily tasks.
• Confidentiality, proactive initiative, and originality.

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

Contact Information

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

Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov

Human Resources Contact:
Human Resources Division
[phone]
[e-mail]

EEO Contact:
EEO Office
[phone]

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.

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off