RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

California Department of Social Services; California; Hybride; USD 94 000 - 117 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

The California Department of Social Services’ Research, Automation, and Data Division seeks a Data Lifecycle Lead, a Research Data Specialist III, to strengthen enterprise data literacy and evidence-based decision making across statewide programs.

You will design and lead research projects, develop training strategies, and guide data lifecycle processes that improve data ethics, governance, and the quality of data used across CDSS programs.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting advanced research or evaluation activities.
• Ability to design data literacy or other data-related training.
• Experience developing data governance policies and practices.

Responsabilités

• Advance data literacy by developing training and learning strategies for CDSS staff.
• Analyze data literacy needs and provide actionable insights to guide decisions.
• Lead research and evaluation initiatives with method design and analytic workflows.
• Build organizational learning infrastructure and knowledge repositories.

Connaissances

Data literacy

Research methods

Training design

Description du poste

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-536496

Position #(s): 800-658-5770-910

Working Title: Data Lifecycle Lead

Classification:: RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

$8,392.00 - $10,505.00 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

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.

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 (RADD) advances CDSS's data infrastructure and capacity by improving how the Department collects, manages, and uses data in service of public programs. RADD leads statewide initiatives to streamline program operations, strengthen data governance, expand automation, enhance visualization and analytics capabilities, and facilitate research partnerships. Its mission centers on ensuring efficient, effective, and equitable delivery of social services across California, and it provides coaching and leadership on all aspects of the data lifecycle.

Job Description And Duties

The California Department of Social Services' Research, Automation, and Data Division (RADD) is seeking a creative, analytical, and mission-driven Research Data Specialist III to serve as the Data Lifecycle Lead. This role is central to strengthening enterprise data literacy, organizational learning systems, and evidence-driven decision-making capabilities. As part of the newly formed Data Policy & Project Management Bureau, the Data Lifecycle Lead supports Department-wide efforts that build data skills, improve data ethics and governance, and enhance the quality and consistency of data used across statewide programs. As CDSS scales enterprise data learning, this role is central in shaping how staff understand, interpret, and act on data, ultimately strengthening statewide safety net programs.

In this role, you will design and lead innovative research and evaluation projects in collaboration with CDSS program leaders, create evidence-based training and learning strategies, and guide data lifecycle processes that support CDSS workforce and organizational priorities. You will also work collaboratively across other units in RADD to improve our partnerships with programs and help them better understand and use their data for positive impact. Your work will directly support programs serving vulnerable Californians by ensuring the Department uses data responsibly, effectively, and equitably.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Advance enterprise data literacy by developing research-backed training, coaching models, and learning strategies that strengthen CDSS staff capacity for responsible, ethical, and effective use of data.
• Assess and improve workforce learning outcomes by analyzing data literacy needs, evaluating program and training effectiveness, and providing clear, actionable insights that guide strategic decisions across the Department.
• Lead major research and evaluation initiatives by coordinating methodological design, managing analytic workflows, and partnering with internal and external teams to deliver quality, equity-informed research.
• Continue to build and steward organizational learning infrastructure by aligning with CDSS learning agendas and managing the knowledge repositories, communication tools, and systems that enable consistent and strategic use of data across programs.

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.

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 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.

The SOQ must be typed in 12-point Arial or Times New Roman font, single-spaced, and no more than two pages long. Applicants who fail to submit an SOQ or who do not respond to all questions may not be considered.

• Describe your experience conducting advanced research or evaluation activities to support organizational decision-making. In your response, include examples of analytical methods, data lifecycle knowledge, or evaluation frameworks you have applied.
• Provide an example of how you have designed or delivered data literacy or other data-related training. Describe the approaches you used and the impact of the training.
• Provide an example of a time you developed a data process, procedure, or governance policy. Describe your role, the problem you were solving, and the impact of the solution.

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 inaccurate or incomplete. 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.

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.

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.