Rural Healthcare Scientist

California Department of Health Care Access and Information; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 93,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

California’s Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) in Sacramento County is hiring a Rural Healthcare Scientist (RESEARCH SCIENTIST STAFF). The role conducts highly complex rural health studies focusing on access, utilization, quality, cost, and equity in rural areas.

The RS Staff works with the HAB team and the Workforce and Utilization Analysis Team, using statistical methods and privacy policies to support public health analytics.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and conduct rural health-related studies of broad scope.
• Apply statistical methods and established guidelines in analyses.
• Collaborate with HAB, WUAT, RHT Office, SORH and external contract entities.

Job description

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.

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.

Position Details

Job Code #

JC-529904

Position #(s)

441-302-5594-XXX

Working Title

Rural Healthcare Scientist

Classification

RESEARCH SCIENTIST STAFF

$8,327.00 - $10,779.00

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

Sacramento County

Telework

Hybrid

Job Type

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

California’s Department of Health Care Access and Information works to ensure that healthcare is available where Californians need it most. With offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles, we strengthen the state’s healthcare system through facility construction, expanding the health workforce, and providing vital health information. Our diverse team upholds the values of professionalism, innovation, equity, and service. We provide tools and support to help you start, build, or transition your career while making a meaningful impact for all Californians.

At HCAI’s Office of Health Information, we shape conversations and generate impactful insights about California’s healthcare landscape from data submitted to us by hospitals, health plans, prescription drug manufacturers, and California’s health care workforce. These conversations and insights inform policymakers, researchers, community leaders, and the broader health care industry regarding topics such as health care cost transparency, the total cost of care, and health outcomes. Our mission is to expand equitable access to quality, affordable health care for all Californians. Join a dynamic team of technology enthusiasts implementing and maintaining innovative solutions to meet the Department's needs.

HCAI is committed to building an inclusive work environment that promotes diversity, where employees are appreciated and feel comfortable being their authentic selves. We value our employees’ skills, experience, and unique perspectives because they enrich our workforce and make us stronger. We embrace and support a culture of equitable opportunity, empowering our employees to advance health care access and information for the diverse populations we serve across California.

To learn more about HCAI, visit: http://HCAI.ca.gov/

Department Website: http://HCAI.ca.gov/

Job Description And Duties

This bulletin is being reposted. If you previously applied, it is not necessary to reapply.

Under general direction of the Research Scientist Supervisor II, the Research Scientist (RS) Staff plans, organizes, and conducts highly complex rural health-related studies of broad scope. These studies are focused on healthcare access, utilization, quality, cost and equity in rural areas. This involves using statistical methods, established guidelines and technical scientific procedures, and developing standards and procedures where no sufficient procedure exists. The RS Staff is a member of the Healthcare Analytics Branch (HAB) team and serves as a team member on public health and healthcare projects for the Workforce and Utilization Analysis Team (WUAT) within the Analytics and Data Section (ADS). The RS Staff also works closely with members of the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Office, State Office of Rural Health (SORH), Office of Health Workforce Development (OHWD) and external entities under contract with HCAI.

In the HCAI work environment, staff may handle confidential patient data. Specific statutes, regulations, and HCAI policies and procedures govern the collection, storage, disclosure, and use of confidential data. The employee is responsible for the safe and secure handling of this data in compliance with these policies and procedures.

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) hours each month. For more details about PLP 2025 , visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) , visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

Special Requirements

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include a copy of your unofficial transcripts and/or license for verification. Official sealed transcripts will be required upon appointment. If it is determined an application does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the applicant will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Applicants who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.