Research Data Specialist III

California Department of Health Care Services; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training

DEI program

EAP

Medical insurance

Holidays & vacation

Retirement plan

401(k) plan

Dependent Care Reimbursement

Job summary

California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) seeks a Research Data Specialist III to lead advanced research, analytical, and monitoring activities supporting the Medi-Cal Managed Care program. The role emphasizes coordination with PDRD, HIMD, and ETS and produces reports and dashboards to inform program decisions.

The position is 12 months limited term with hybrid telework, based in Sacramento County.

Qualifications

• Minimum requirements are described in the Class Specification.

Responsibilities

• Translate program needs into clear business requirements and monitoring datasets.
• Jointly develop and validate monitoring datasets and reports.
• Interpret results to support oversight and enforcement.
• Provide leadership, consultation, and staff training to teams.
• Collaborate with Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) and internal partners to ensure accurate reporting.
• Produce high-quality reports, dashboards, and presentations communicating monitoring results.

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.

Position Term

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.

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-529342

Position #(s): 805-150-5770-XXX

Working Title: Research Data Specialist III

Classification: RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

Salary: $8,392.00 - $10,505.00 A

Number 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.

Benefits

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

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.

Contact Information

Hiring Unit Contact: Emilie Ibarra [phone] [e-mail]

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.

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.