RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

State of California; California (MO); On-site; USD 1,124,000 - 1,407,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Hybrid telework

Job summary

State of California’s Department of Health Care Access and Information is seeking a Senior Health Policy Researcher to lead complex health care market analyses and policy research. This permanent, full-time role focuses on data analytics, econometric methods, and reporting on market consolidation and market power.

Hybrid telework is available for CA residents; salary ranges from $8,392 to $10,505 per month, with eligibility for standard state benefits and a 2-4.62% payroll PLP 2025 adjustment.

Qualifications

• At least 6 years of experience with data analytics including SAS, Stata, R, SQL
• At least 5 years of experience in health care economics or health policy
• At least 5 years of experience in a lead capacity overseeing junior or peer researchers
• At least 4 years of experience writing memos, issue briefs and publishing in peer‑reviewed journals
• At least 3 years of experience communicating with internal and external stakeholders on complex research
• Experience scoping, developing and executing research projects
• Experience collaborating with multiple organizations (e.g., universities, government agencies, contractors)
• Experience in research methods including program evaluation, causal inference and econometric analysis
• Experience in assessing the quality and fidelity of data sources

Responsibilities

• Carry out the most complex research and data analysis projects related to health care market topics
• Develop novel methods for collecting, analyzing and reporting data
• Serve as the department’s top expert in health policy research
• Coordinate major complex research projects on market consolidation and market power
• Define research scope and criteria for projects and oversee reporting

Skills

Data analytics

Health policy

Leadership

Memo writing

Stakeholder communication

Research project management

Tools

SAS

Stata

R

SQL

Job description

Job Posting:Senior Health Policy Researcher

Department of Health Care Access and Information

JC-532845 -

JC-532845 - Senior Health Policy Researcher RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

$8,392.00 - $10,505.00 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: 10/5/2026

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

Under the general direction of the Research Scientist Supervisor I, the Senior Health Policy Researcher independently carries out the most complex research and data analysis projects related to material change transactions, health care market investigations, and other related topics. Implements and coordinates major complex research projects related to analyzing and reporting on market consolidation, market power, and market failures in the health care market. Defines the scope of research criteria for projects; develops novel methods for collecting, analyzing and reporting data and serves as the department’s top expert in the subject area.

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.

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 III
• RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST II

Telework

Hybrid

Job Type

Permanent, Full Time

Number of Positions

2

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.

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

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).

Desirable Qualifications

• At least 6 years of experience with data analytics. This experience must include mastery of statistical software, such as SAS, Stata, R, SQL etc.
• At least 5 years of experience in health care economics or health policy.
• At least 5 years of experience in a lead capacity overseeing work products of junior or peer researchers and/or analysts.
• At least 4 years of experience writing memos and issue briefs and publishing research in peer-reviewed journals.
• At least 3 years of experience communicating with internal and external stakeholders on complex research products, methodology and/or reports.
• Experience scoping, developing and executing research or evaluation projects.
• Experience collaborating with multiple organizations (e.g., universities, government agencies, contractors etc.) to complete complex research projects.
• Experience in research methods, including topics such as program evaluation, causal inference and econometric analysis.
• Experience in assessing the quality and fidelity of various data sources.

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

Contact Information

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.

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.