RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST II

California Department of Social Services; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 7,600 - 9,600; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Social Services is seeking a Research Data Specialist II to join the Dashboard and Data Insights Section within the Insights Bureau. The role focuses on transforming administrative data into actionable insights, supporting data storytelling, and contributing to data-driven decision making for Californians.

The position is full-time, permanent, with hybrid telework arrangements and opportunities to contribute to the Enterprise Data Pipeline and data governance initiatives

Qualifications

• Passion about transforming human services administrative data into actionable insights using data analysis and code.
• Interest in data storytelling, including data visualizations and policy briefs to democratize insights.

Job description

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-532814

Position #(s): 800-655-5758-010

Working Title: Research Data Specialist II

Classification: RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST II

Salary: $7,640.00 - $9,561.00 A

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: United States

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.

The Research, Automation, and Data Division's (RADD) mission is to improve the way the Department collects, manages, and deploys data to support the efficient, effective, and equitable delivery of government social services. RADD manages major statewide initiatives to streamline and automate eligibility determination and benefit administration for key safety net programs, and leads efforts such as human-centered design, data governance, automation and continuous quality improvement, data visualization and analysis, and research partnerships to improve client outcomes and promote program integrity. Across these efforts, RADD provides coaching to the Department on all aspects of the data lifecycle.

CDSS Guiding Principles

• Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Accessibility. Belonging. We ensure opportunities for everyone to participate in a meaningful way in fulfilling the mission and vision of CDSS.
• 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 have 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

The Research, Automation, and Data Division (RADD) Data Analytics Bureau is seeking a motivated, organized, intellectually curious person to join us as a Research Data Specialist II in the Dashboard and Data Insights Section in the Insights Bureau. This team is part of the Research and Data Insights Branch, CDSS’s research and data team, within the CDSS Research Automation and Data Division (RADD).

This job is for you if you:

• Are passionate about transforming human services administrative data (for programs like food assistance, cash aid, child welfare, and childcare) into actionable insights using code and quantitative social science approaches.
• Believe in data storytelling, including data visualizations, policy briefs, and other resources that help democratize access to insights from administrative data.
• Want to help transform outdated and manual processes into automated, responsive ones through CDSS’s cloud-platform data warehouse (known as the Enterprise Data Pipeline).
• Are energized by the idea of reducing administrative burdens and increasing access to crucial safety net programs through high-quality data.

About The Insights Bureau

Our mission is to weave together administrative, research, and client experience data to provide timely and contextual programmatic and policy insights to inform decision-makers, advocates, and others to advance the well-being of Californians in need.

Our vision is to be the CDSS storytellers, making departmental information fundamentally useful with timely, actionable insights, and sharing connections and context about our programs and the people we serve.

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.

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

Special Requirements

Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application to be considered for this position. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified for this position.

Do not include any confidential information in 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 includes 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.

Applicants must include a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for this position that replies to the two questions below. The SOQ should be typed, size 12 Times New Roman font, and no more than two pages. Application packages received without specific responses to the supplemental questionnaire will not be considered. We cannot hire you, or even consider your application, if you do not submit an SOQ!

• Please describe in detail a research or data analysis project on which you played a key or leading role. In your response, please briefly explain
• the purpose or goal of the project, especially as it may pertain to the use of human services or administrative data;
• how you and/or your team conducted the analysis and any necessary collaborative elements;
• the outcome of your analysis;
• how you communicated results to key stakeholders; and
• what decision your analysis or your team's analysis influenced.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

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.