RESEARCH SCIENTIST MANAGER

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 148,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California's Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (BHSOAC) seeks a Research Scientist Manager to serve as Deputy Director. You will lead statewide research, evaluations, and data analyses to inform public mental health policy and decision-making.

This permanent, full-time role offers a hybrid telework arrangement, with salary of $13,288 to $15,603 per month and opportunities to guide critical behavioral health initiatives across California.

Qualifications

• Minimum requirements for the RESEARCH SCIENTIST MANAGER classification.

Responsibilities

• Lead statewide research, evaluation, and data analysis efforts to measure the impact of California’s behavioral health system.
• Provide guidance to executive leadership and Commissioners on data analytic priorities and research directions.

Job description

Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (BHSOAC)

JC-532921 - Deputy Director

RESEARCH SCIENTIST MANAGER

$13,288.00 - $15,603.00 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: 10/2/2026

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

Under the broad administrative direction of the Chief Deputy Director (CEA) of Administration and Performance Management and indirectly to the Executive Director, the Research Scientist Manager (RSM) serves as the Deputy Director of the Research and Evaluation Division. The RSM uses research, evaluation, and related expertise to lead efforts in measuring, assessing, and understanding the impact of California’s behavioral health system in meeting the behavioral health needs of California’s residents. The incumbent is the research leader for the Commission and is responsible for providing guidance and leadership in directing complex and relevant research studies of the statewide impact of these politically and socially sensitive programs. The RSM will lead critical statewide research efforts – including evaluations, data analysis and efforts to communicate findings to a range of decision-makers – to ensure that the public mental health system is well understood, and that Commissioners and other policymakers have relevant knowledge to inform their decision-making. The RSM will work with behavioral health consumers, family members, state and local agency leaders, behavioral health experts, and other stakeholders in advising the executive leadership of the Commission and Commissioners in determining data analytic, research and evaluation priorities. The RSM will be responsible for the supervision of designated staff.

This recruitment has been posted for more vacancies than currently exist as it may be used to fill identical vacancies which occur with 180 days of the closing date of this bulletin.

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

Working Conditions

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with BHSOAC’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• RESEARCH SCIENTIST MANAGER

RESEARCH SCIENTIST MANAGER $13,288.00 - $15,603.00 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:

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The Commission for Behavioral Health champions wellbeing for all Californians, especially those most in need, through behavioral health prevention and intervention, including mental health, substance use disorders, and trauma-related disorders. By working with the community, experts, and civic partners, we help to increase public understanding, catalyze best practices, and inspire innovation. Our goal: accelerating transformational change in California’s behavioral health system.

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. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

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

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.