RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

State of California; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of California, Department of Justice, is seeking a Healthcare Competition Economist (RDS III) to join the Healthcare Rights and Access Section in the Public Rights Division. You will apply economic theory and perform quantitative and qualitative analyses to inform competition policy and enforcement in healthcare markets.

Working under the Deputy AG and in collaboration with attorneys, you will prepare reports, advise on legislation, and may testify.

Qualifications

• Strong economic analytical skills.
• Familiarity with antitrust and competitive analysis legal standards.
• Experience with electronic discovery software and data analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Apply economic theory and conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses to address competition issues and policy recommendations.
• Assist attorneys in evaluating economic evidence during investigations, litigation or settlements.
• Locate and coordinate with outside economic experts for expert analysis; may testify where appropriate.
• Prepare reports and memoranda; advise on legislative or policy issues; manage data forecasting and market impact analyses.
• Lead or support research projects; communicate findings to stakeholders in written and oral form.

Skills

Economic analysis

Verbal communication

Written communication

Tools

Relativity

CaseMap

Trial Director

PowerPoint

Word

Excel

Job description

Job Posting:Healthcare Competition Economist

Department of Justice

JC-531588 -

JC-531588 - Healthcare Competition Economist
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

$8,392.00 - $10,820.00 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: 10/14/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off

The Healthcare Rights and Access Section (HRA)'s Competition Unit serves as the lead in proactive healthcare competition and antitrust work, representing the Attorney General in his independent capacity and coordinating this work with others in the Department of Justice (DOJ), other state agencies, and antitrust enforcers in other states or the federal government. HRA's Competition Unit investigates the competitive impact of healthcare mergers, including Californiaspecific effects, under federal land applicable state lawsaffecting this state and investigates the entire range of potential healthcareanticompetitive conduct affecting this state. That analysis involves market definition and analysis on the national, state, regional, and community level with the goal of protecting and increasing affordability, accessibility, and quality of healthcare in the State of California, including the quality and conditions of the healthcare workforce as appropriate. The Competition Unit is responsible for overseeing and leading all work involving competition in such areas as healthcare mergers (including hospital and hospital systems), retail pharmacy acquisitions, pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical benefit manager mergers and acquisitions, and serial acquisitions, among other mergers, and investigating and prosecuting per se illegal conduct and exclusionary conduct, recovering illegal profits, and obtaining injunctive relief to restore and safeguard competition. The Section acts in the public interest under the direction of the Attorney General.
Under the general direction of the Deputy Attorney General Supervisor (SDAG) and working closely with the Deputy Attorneys General (DAG) in HRA, the Research Data Specialist III (RDS III) works on a variety of important, cutting-edge, and exciting healthcare related competition policy and enforcement issues. This economist position has a wide range of responsibilities including: utilizing economic theory and conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses to address competition issues and make policy recommendations; assisting attorneys in evaluating economic evidence during the course of an investigation, litigation or settlement; locating and working with outside economic experts to conduct expert economic analysis; testifying on behalf of the Department (where appropriate); providing economic analysis of current and potential future legislation; and cooperating with and, in some cases, providing analyses to our partners in joint investigations and litigation. The RDS III prepares a variety of reports and memoranda; advises and consults on legislative or policy issues, and other duties as necessary. The RDS III queries, validates, formats, and organizes structured and unstructured data to forecast trends and assess potential impact on markets and industries. May function as a lead analyst on various research projects. May receive general direction from the Senior Assistant Attorney General (SAAG).

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

Working Conditions

This positionrequires residency in the State of California. It may be eligible for telework.The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on DOJ's current telework policy. While DOJ supports telework, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs.Therefore, employees are expected to be able to report to their assigned headquarterswith minimal notification if an urgent need arises.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

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.

Department Information

For new-to-state employees, the salary will be the minimum salary of the classification. For current state employees and/or those with reinstatement rights, your salary will be determined in accordance with the applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

• This position is located in the Public Rights Division, Healthcare Rights and Access Section, and may be filled in Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, or San Diego.
• Please disregard the SROA/Surplus language below, as the Department of Justice requires applicants to submit their SROA/Surplus Letter if that is the basis of their eligibility.
• For more information about the Department, please visit the Attorney General's website at State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

For new-to-state employees, the salary will be the minimum salary of the classification. For current state employees and/or those with reinstatement rights, your salary will be determined in accordance with the applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

• This position is located in the Public Rights Division, Healthcare Rights and Access Section, and may be filled in Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, or San Diego.
• Please disregard the SROA/Surplus language below, as the Department of Justice requires applicants to submit their SROA/Surplus Letter if that is the basis of their eligibility.
• For more information about the Department, please visit the Attorney General's website at State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

Personal Leave Program: EffectiveJuly 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions inexchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hoursearned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actualmonetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargainingunit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional informationplease visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR

Special Requirements

• A fingerprint check will be required for those not currently employed with the Department of Justice.
• This position is located in the Healthcare Rights and Access Section and may be filled in Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, or San Diego. However, only one (1) STD 678 State Application is needed. Please clearly indicate your preferred city or cities in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section of your State Application.
• If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma.
• Unofficial school transcripts may be accepted during the application process; however, submission of official transcripts or your diploma is required prior to appointment.
• Individuals who are new to state service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with the California Office of the Attorney General. The process is described at http://oag.ca.gov/careers/exams .
• To take the online Research Data Specialist III examination and establish list eligibility for appointment, please click the following link: RDS III Examination - CalHR .

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Applicants should have demonstrated strong economic analytical skills.
• Familiarity with antitrust and competitive analysis legal standards and concepts is highly desirable.
• Experience with electronic discovery software and data analytical software, Relativity, CaseMap, Trial Director, Power Point, Word and Excel is highly desirable, as are relevant skills and/or experience in economic analysis in investigations and complex litigation such as market definition and analysis.

A strong interest in and/or background in healthcare.

The applicant should possess the ability to work independently or in a team setting, take initiative, assume high level responsibility, and exercise good judgment.

Good verbal and written communication skills are critical.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit 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:
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.

Additional Information on Application Filing

Please note, if using the United States Postal Service for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be date stamped and will arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark or date stamp and arrives after the final filing date, your application will not be accepted. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either electronic delivery, parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof of delivery prior to the final filing date.

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.