RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Energy Commission seeks a Data Visualization and Strategic Insights Specialist to advance petroleum market analysis within the Transportation Fuels Data Analysis Unit. You will develop visualizations and models to support transportation fuels policy and program evaluations.

As a senior research data specialist, you will manage complex analyses, coordinate with stakeholders, and present findings to inform decisions across divisions and external partners.

Qualifications

• Strong background in data analysis of energy markets and refinery operations.
• Experience with Python, R, SQL, Tableau, and Power BI for data visualization.
• Ability to communicate complex data to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex economic and market analyses of petroleum markets.
• Develop data visualizations and dashboards to inform policy decisions.
• Collaborate with public and private stakeholders on energy data initiatives.

Skills

Python

R

Tableau

Power BI

SQL

Data analytics

Tools

Python

R

Tableau

Power BI

SQL

Excel

Job description

Job Posting:Data Visualization and Strategic Insights Specialist

California Energy Commission

JC-531164 -

JC-531164 - Data Visualization and Strategic Insights Specialist

$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: 9/16/2026

Job Description and Duties

The Research Data Specialist (RDS) III is under the general direction of the Program and Project Supervisor in the Transportation Fuels Data Collection Unit in the Energy Assessments Division. The RDS III performs at the advisor level and serves as a top subject matter expert on petroleum markets and downstream refinery operations with a high degree of independence, initiative, and judgment. The incumbent serves as a most highly skilled practitioner and innovator conducting research and analysis supporting EAD’s responsibilities to evaluate and monitor transportation fuel markets, refinery operations and economics, refiner margins, inventory, refinery maintenance and resupply, crude oil and transportation fuel supply, imports, pipelines, and related infrastructure. The incumbent will work on high-profile projects supporting implementation of Senate Bill X1-2, Assembly Bill X2-1, Senate Bill 237, Senate Bill 767, and other transportation fuels initiatives. The incumbent independently conducts the most complex economic, market, and operational analyses requiring highly specialized expertise and a diverse set of skills. As a top subject matter expert, the incumbent is responsible for independently organizing and conducting highly complex analyses of refinery economics, supply reliability, market conditions, and infrastructure constraints and may serve as a liaison for divisions, units, state agencies, industry stakeholders, and other partners.

Minimum Qualifications (MQs): The MQs for this Research Data Specialist III and Research Data Specialist II can be found at Research Data Series-CalHR . The documents you submit in your application package must highlight how you meet the MQs. If the MQs are not met, you will not be considered for this position.

Education Information: If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this classification, please provide your unofficial transcripts. Applicants who completed their education outside of the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must provide evaluated transcripts. The transcript evaluation must state the number of units to which foreign coursework is equal. Foreign education evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org . Official transcripts and official foreign degree transcripts will be required prior to appointment. If you are not using education to qualify for this classification, you do not need to submit transcripts. To bypass the required document, select Choose/Upload and select Bypass File.

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

Working Conditions

The CEC supports a hybrid workplace model with office-based and remote-centered workers. Limited in-person attendance and occasional travel may be required based on the needs of the division. Regular and consistent attendance is essential to successful performance. This position is remote-centered, which means the incumbent works 50 percent or more of their time from an alternate work location.

Teleworking is only available for employees who reside in California. You must be located in California and provide your in-state address prior to your start date.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III
• RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST II

Classification

RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III $8,392.00 - $10,505.00 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 II $7,640.00 - $9,561.00

# of Positions

1

Telework

Hybrid

Job Type

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The CEC was established by the Legislature in 1974 to address energy challenges facing the state. Today, the CEC is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency and is leading the state to a 100% clean energy future. Serving all Californians, the CEC embodies diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has taken an active and meaningful role in creating an environment that enables each employee to thrive. The CEC operates under the umbrella of the California Natural Resources Agency and shares offices with the agency in a LEED Platinum Certified Building in downtown Sacramento.

The California Energy Commission seeks a Research Data Specialist III in the Transportation Fuels Data Analysis Unit of the Fuels Analysis Branch within the Energy Assessments Division. If you are interested in a challenging and exciting career in clean energy and are passionate about renewable, efficient, and reliable energy that addresses climate change, join our diverse team of global energy leaders! The California Energy Commission plays a lead role in creating the energy system of the future, not just in California, but globally.

This position is open to interested applicants who qualify. This can be a multi-step process. To be eligible to be hired:

1) Create an online CalCareers account. For a tutorial on the state application process, visit California State Hiring Process Instructional Video Series – YouTube or contact [e-mail].

2) Complete and pass the RDS III or RDS II exam to be eligible to be hired for available positions. See information on Energy Commission Assessments and Exams.

3) To apply for this position, submit an application package through your CalCareers account. An application package must include all items under the “Required Application Package Documents” section. Resumes will not be accepted in place of a State Examination and Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications must include “to” and “from” dates (month/day/year), time base (full-time/part-time/number of hours per week/month), and applicable civil service classifications.

State employees are subjected to a temporary reduction in pay in exchange of 2025 Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific reduction rate and hours were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit agreement.

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.

Required Application Package Documents

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other - Cover Letter – Include a cover letter of no more than one page in length describing why you are the best candidate for this position.
• Other - School Transcripts – C&P will determine if required – Include unofficial school transcripts within your application package. If hired, you may be required to provide official transcripts.

Desirable Qualifications

• Intermediate competency in MS Office, presentation software, and software models.
• Experience with software such as Python, R, Tableau, and/or Power BI.
• Experience in SQL query writing.
• Experience with data analytics.
• Ability to reason logically and creatively while using a variety of analytical techniques, tools, and software.
• Ability to gather, compile, analyze, and interpret written and numerical research data and prepare research and statistical reports.
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing, including the ability to communicate ideas, data, and information effectively to a diverse audience.
• Ability to work well as part of a team and perform independent tasks that contribute towards a shared goal.

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 position or application process.

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:
Equal Employment Opportunity Contact
[phone]
[e-mail]

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 workplace. 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.