RESEARCH DATA SUPERVISOR I

California Department of Social Services; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Social Services seeks a mission-driven Research Data Supervisor I to join the Exploratory Research Unit within the Evidence-based Policy Team. You will lead exploratory research, coordinate knowledge management activities, and contribute to impact evaluations that improve service delivery and decision making.

This permanent, full-time position offers hybrid telework and requires that applicants prepare a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) with their CalCareers submission.

Qualifications

• SOQ must be submitted with your application.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Lead exploratory research and knowledge management activities within the Exploratory Research Unit.
• Contribute to impact evaluations to improve policy delivery, decision-making, and analytic capacity.

Job description

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-528782

Position #: 800-659-5734-001

Working Title: Exploratory Research Unit Supervisor

Classification:: RESEARCH DATA SUPERVISOR I

$7,530.00 - $9,355.00

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

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 Bureau sits within the Research, Data, and Insights (RDI) Branch within the Research, Automation, and Data Division (RADD) at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). We are a team of dedicated and compassionate researchers who use both data and computational methods to answer critical policy questions, guide decision-making, rigorously test new interventions, and help scale what works. We work with large-scale administrative and program data and apply quantitative methods to produce actionable evidence for California’s leaders and the communities we serve.

Our research advances the boundaries of CDSS program knowledge and practice. We synthesize what is known about our programs based on research that meets high methodological standards and bring this knowledge to bear on what we do. We pilot and test new ways of working, from changes to how services are delivered to novel research methods and computational tools, scaling new approaches with demonstrated promise. Our mission is to use experimentation and learning to transform CDSS’ capacity to serve low-income and vulnerable Californians.

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.

Job Description And Duties

The Research, Automation, and Data Division (RADD) is seeking a mission-driven, curious, team player to join us as Research Data Supervisor I in the Exploratory Research Unit (ERU) within the Evidence-based Policy Team (EPT).

The ERU leads exploratory research and knowledge management activities and contributes to impact evaluations to further the EPT's three goals: 1) improve program service delivery and decision-making, 2) produce timely, rigorous, people-centered research, and 3) enhance the analytic capacity of the department.

This position combines a passion for CDSS' mission, a commitment to rigorous, quantitative research, and a drive to operate at the intersection of cutting-edge, actionable, and empathetic research.

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.

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.

Please review the classification specifications, and include accurate and detailed descriptions when describing previous work experience. When describing their work experience applicants should take care to include detailed descriptions of their duties and responsibilities to ensure that their qualifications are evaluated accurately during the candidate screening process. Taking this step will ensure that your educational background and experience will be evaluated accurately during the candidate screening process.

Please note: You will need to take and pass an examination in order to establish list eligibility prior to job offer.

Search CalHR's "CalCareers Tutorials for Job Seekers" for additional information. This series provides guidance for writing a strong Statement of Qualifications, along with tutorials related to job application processes with the State of California.

The SOQ must be submitted along with the Application/Standard Form (STD) 678 in CalCareers. The SOQ should be typed, no longer than 500 words, in Arial 12 pt. font.

Application packages received without specific responses to the supplemental questionnaire will not be considered. Responses that fail to explicitly articulate either the real-world decisions you aimed to inform or alternatively, the specific research question(s), will not be considered.

Your SOQ must specifically address the following question to be considered for this position:

• Please describe a time where you led a research project that used computational methods and statistical modeling to inform real-world decision-making. In your response, note a.) what decision(s) you aimed to inform, b.) the type and quantity of data you analyzed, c.) the analytical methods you employed, d.) the software tools you used to analyze the data, and e.) how your analysis was/was not used to inform the decision.

Note: The real-world decision does not have to be a government/policy decision. It can be from any institutional context (including government, non-profit or community-based organization, for-profit business, education institution, or your own community.) You may include links to publicly available descriptions of, or code repositories related to, your work.

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - (SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.

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.

Final Filing Date: 9/1/2026

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.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).