RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST II

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid telework

Free parking

Job summary

Department of Health Care Access and Information in California seeks a Senior Pharmaceutical Data Specialist to apply advanced research methods and data analysis to support CalRx program operations and policies. The role develops high-impact recommendations guiding program decisions, vendor partnerships, and access to affordable prescription drugs within the state.

You will work under the Pharmaceutical Policy Manager, with responsibilities across data projects, data needs assessment, and

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience conducting complex data analysis and research.
• At least 3 years of experience in the health care, pharmaceutical, or public health sector(s).
• At least 2 years of experience communicating findings in data to internal team members and external partners/stakeholders.
• At least 2 years of experience using SQL for data analysis or coding.
• At least 2 years of experience managing time spent across multiple complex projects.
• Experience working with pharmaceutical data.

Responsibilities

• Apply advanced research methodologies, expert data analysis, and independent judgment to support CalRx program operations and strategies.
• Develop findings and recommendations to support CalRx program decisions and vendor/partnership choices.

Skills

Data analysis

Advanced research methods

Stakeholder communication

Policy and program evaluation

Tools

SQL

Job description

Job Posting:Senior Pharmaceutical Data Specialist

Department of Health Care Access and Information

JC-530566 -

JC-530566 - Senior Pharmaceutical Data Specialist
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST II

$7,640.00 - $9,561.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternative range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 9/14/2026

Job Description and Duties

Under general direction of the Pharmaceutical Policy Manager, the Senior Pharmaceutical Data Specialist applies advanced research methodologies, expert data analysis, and independent judgment to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of P3B and CalRx programmatic operations and strategies, including those to ensure equitable access.
The incumbent functions as a specialist for research and data projects, plans, designs, and carries out research projects; identifies data needs; gathers and analyzes structured and unstructured data; and develops findings and recommendations to support CalRx program decisions. The incumbent applies advanced research methods to evaluate program outcomes, market dynamics, access barriers, and policy impacts. The incumbent develops high-impact policy and operational recommendations that shape CalRx’s strategy, guide program implementation, inform vendor and partnership decisions and access to affordable and critical prescription drugs throughout the state.
Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) hours each month. For more details about PLP 2025, visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

HCAI is committed to fostering a flexible, inclusive, and high-performing work environment that supports both operational excellence and employee well-being.
HCAI is housed in a state-of-the-art building outside of downtown off Interstate-5. Enjoy a great work environment with many amenities, including FREE PARKING and fully equipped pay-per-charge electric vehicle charging stations. HCAI is close to many dining and shopping choices.
HCAI supports a hybrid telework schedule for many positions, consistent with operational requirements. Telework schedules are only available for CA residents. The telework policy is subject to change, and additional in-office days may be required and/or minimal notification may be given to report to the worksite if an urgent need arises.
Visa Sponsorship: HCAI is not an E-Verify employer and does not provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of appointment.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST II
• RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I

RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST II $7,640.00 - $9,561.00A 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 SPECIALIST I

$6,955.00 - $8,706.00A

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

California’s Department of Health Care Access and Information works to ensure that healthcare is available where Californians need it most. With offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles, we strengthen the state’s healthcare system through facility construction, expanding the health workforce, and providing vital health information. Our diverse team upholds the values of professionalism, innovation, equity, and service. We provide tools and support to help you start, build, or transition your career while making a meaningful impact for all Californians.
The Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) has three primary responsibilities: slowing health care spending growth, monitoring health system performance, and assessing market consolidation. OHCA was created in an effort to slow rising health care spending, and the work of this office will make a tangible difference in making health care more affordable. If you believe that all Californians should have access to health care and be able to afford it, then join the OHCA team.
HCAI is committed to building an inclusive work environment that promotes diversity, where employees are appreciated and feel comfortable being their authentic selves. We value our employees’ skills, experience, and unique perspectives because they enrich our workforce and make us stronger. We embrace and support a culture of equitable opportunity, empowering our employees to advance health care access and information for the diverse populations we serve across California.

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:

Research Data Specialist II

• At least 3 years of experience conducting complex data analysis and research
• At least 3 years of experience in the health care, pharmaceutical, or public health sector(s)
• At least 2 years of experience communicating findings in data to internal team members and external partners/stakeholders
• At least 2 years of experience using SQL for data analysis or coding
• At least 2 years of experience managing time spent across multiple complex projects
• Experience working with pharmaceutical data

Research Data Specialist I

• At least 1 year of experience conducting complex data analysis and research
• At least 2 years of experience in the health care, pharmaceutical, or public health sector(s)
• At least 1 year of experience communicating findings in data to internal team members and external partners/stakeholders
• At least 1 year of experience using SQL for data analysis or coding
• At least 1 year of experience managing time spent across multiple complex projects
• Experience working with healthcare data

In addition to competitive public employee wages and a comprehensive benefits package, our employees enjoy meaningful and interesting work that supports access to healthcare.

To learn more about benefits for State employees, visit the Salary and Benefits page on the CalHR Benefits Website .

University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) employees may qualify to transfer their current and previous employment credit to State of California employment through CalPERS. Human Resources can help with this process upon employment or you can reach out to CalPERS for inquiries at [phone].

Contact Information

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

Department Website: http://HCAI.ca.gov/

Human Resources Contact:
HCAI Recruitment
[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.

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.

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.