Research Data Specialist III

California Department of Health Care Services; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training opportunities

DEI program activities

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

California Department of Health Care Services seeks a Research Data Specialist III to lead advanced research and data analysis supporting Medi-Cal managed care oversight. You will translate program needs into dashboards and reporting tools, collaborate with data partners, and deliver actionable insights to leadership.

You will develop methodologies, validate analytics, and produce high-quality reports and dashboards used to monitor grievances, appeals, audits, and corrective actions under Final

Qualifications

• Describe your experience developing dashboards or analytical reporting tools that support program monitoring or decision-making.
• Explain your role in defining business needs or analytical requirements and how you translated those needs into functional dashboard elements.
• Discuss how you validated or interpreted the resulting analytics, and how program leadership used the information.

Responsibilities

• Senior research and data expert supporting compliance monitoring under Final Rule.
• Coordinate with PDRD, HIMD, and ETS to refine monitoring datasets and reporting tools.
• Produce high-quality reports, dashboards, and presentations for program decision-making.
• Lead and train staff; collaborate with MCPs and other agencies to ensure accurate reporting.

Skills

Advanced research

Analytical skills

Monitoring & evaluation

Data quality

Tools

Dashboarding tools

Reporting tools

Job description

Work Location

Sacramento County

Job Description And Duties

Why Join DHCS?

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is the backbone of California’s health care safety net. Our success is made possible by the hard work of more than 4,800 DHCS team members and through collaboration with the federal government and other state agencies, counties, and partners for the care of low-income families, children, pregnant women, older adults, and persons with disabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team in the following role.

About this Role

Under general direction of the Manager II in the Managed Care Mointoring Branch, the Research Data Specialist III (RDS III) serves as a senior research and data expert supporting compliance monitoring required under the Managed Care Final Rule and the broader oversight of the Medi-Cal Managed Care program. The role leads advanced research, analytical, and monitoring activities that inform program enforcement within the managed care delivery system. Positioned within a program division rather than a traditional data unit, the incumbent focuses on coordination, collaboration, and liaison work with the Department’s data and technology partners including the Program Data Reporting Division (PDRD), Health Information Management Division (HIMD), and Enterprise Technology Services (ETS). In partnership with these divisions, the RDS III contributes to the development and refinement of monitoring methodologies, shared data exchange processes, and databases and reporting tools used to track grievances, appeals, audit findings, and corrective action plan outcomes tied to Final Rule requirements. Key responsibilities include translating program needs into clear business requirements, participating in the joint development and validation of monitoring datasets, and interpreting results to support oversight and enforcement. The RDS III identifies anomalies, emerging trends, and potential indicators of non-compliance, elevating issues to program leadership when necessary. The position also provides leadership, consultation, and training to staff and collaborates closely with Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs), other governmental agencies, and internal partners to ensure accurate, consistent, and meaningful reporting. The RDS III documents methodologies and findings and produces high-quality reports, dashboards, and presentations that communicate monitoring results and support program decision-making.

This position has been advertised as limited term and is expected to last 12 months. This limited term position may be extended up to 24 months if supported by workload or may become permanent if workload becomes permanent.

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

Working Conditions

Please see the Telework and Salary Information section below for telework, reporting location, and temporary statewide salary reduction details.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #

JC-533067

Position #(s)

805-150-5770-XXX

Working Title

Research Data Specialist III

Classification

RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

$8,392.00 - $10,820.00

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions

Multiple

Work Location

Sacramento County

Telework

Hybrid

Job Type

12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Department Information

DHCS’ purpose is to provide equitable access to quality health care leading to a healthy California for all.

DHCS is a dynamic organization with ambitious goals and talented, committed employees. We work hard every day to fulfill our vital responsibility to support the delivery of quality health care to Californians. DHCS is committed to addressing disparities within our organization and in our communities through efforts toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is accomplished, in part, by a commitment toward employing a diverse workforce that reflects the many communities we serve, and by promoting and enforcing equal employment opportunity.

Take a look at some of DHCS' recent projects and happenings that our Department has accomplished in the DHCS Newsroom .

Statement Of Qualifications Requirement Section

The SOQ serves as documentation of the applicant’s ability to present information clearly and provide DHCS additional information about their experience and qualifications concisely in writing. The DHCS may not consider applicants who fail to provide an SOQ with their application. Resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

The SOQ must be no more than two pages in length, double-spaced and using 12-point font. You must indicate your Full Name and Job Control Number at the top right corner. Please also number responses to coordinate with the questions.

Candidates who do not complete and submit an SOQ may not be considered for this position.

Describe your experience developing dashboards or analytical reporting tools that support program monitoring or decision-making. In your response, address the following:

• Provide an example of a dashboard or program analytics tool you helped design, refine, or implement.
• Explain your role in defining business needs or analytical requirements and how you translated those needs into functional dashboard elements.
• Discuss how you validated or interpreted the resulting analytics, and how program leadership used the information.

Benefits

DHCS is dedicated to creating an innovative workplace for its team members that is inclusive, diverse, and interactive! Here are a few of the ways we stay engaged with our team:

• Continuous and ongoing training
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program activities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Additionally, as a team member of the State of California, you may be eligible for many benefits, such as:

• Medical, including health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid Holidays and vacation/leave
• Defined retirement program
• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts

Full benefits information can be found on CalHR's California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary

DHCS 2023-2027 Strategic Plan provides more information about our commitment to serving Californians and organizational excellence.

We need your help! Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief optional survey: SurveyMonkey link . This survey is not required to be considered for this position.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:

Emilie Correa

[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.

EEO Contact

EEO Officer

[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.

Telework and Salary Information

Telework: This position is currently eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change consistent with DHCS’ Telework Program and Government Code sections 14200 – 14203. Telework is available to California residents, and proof of residency may be required.

Beginning July 1, 2026, pursuant to Executive Order N-22-25 issued March 3, 2025, and California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) Statewide Guidance issued March 13, 2025, DHCS team members generally will be required to report in-person a minimum of four days per week unless exempted/excepted.

Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated office and residence subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The DHCS office location for this position is 1501 Capitol Ave, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Salary: Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the temporary Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee receive a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The temporary salary reduction percentage and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are based on the position’s associated bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not include the temporary salary reduction. Please reach out to the hiring unit contact listed on this job advertisement for details.

Additional Information

This recruitment may be used to fill other vacancies.

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

Paper applications must include a signature. Dates printed on envelopes by mobile barcodes or equivalent mobile print technology are not acceptable proof of the date the application and any other required documents or materials were filed.

Applicants must state their basis of eligibility (List Eligibility, Lateral Transfer, Reinstatement, T&D, or Surplus/SROA), and the Job Control (JC) number and/or position number in the “Examination(s) or Job Title(s), For Which You Are Applying” section on the STD. 678. Surplus/SROA candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application. Please remove any confidential information (i.e., social security number, date of birth, etc.) as well as any information regarding your LEAP eligibility and/or exam scores from your documents prior to submission.

All information on the Employment Application (STD 678) must be completed. Applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Resumes or other documents may not be substituted for the Employment Application (STD 678).

If applying electronically, please note that CalCareers no longer allows applicants to withdraw their applications. If you need assistance to withdraw your application, please contact the Recruitment Section at [e-mail] . For all other questions regarding your CalCareer account, please contact CalHR’s CalCareers Unit at [phone] or [e-mail] .

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.