Job Posting: Research Data Specialist I Department of Developmental Services - Headquarters JC-507334 - Research Data Specialist I
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I
$6,955.00 - $8,706.00 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: 2/25/2026
Job Description and Duties
The Research Data Specialist I (RDS I) serves as a technical expert within the Fiscal Decision Support Unit, under general direction of the Research Data Supervisor II. The RDS I performs fiscal research, quantitative modeling, and data integration analyses to support statewide fiscal oversight, cost containment, and budget impact assessments for the Department of Developmental Services (department). This position is responsible for designing and maintaining fiscal performance dashboards, developing sensitivity and cost-driver analyses, supporting the Data Task Force in advancing fiscal data fluency, and providing consultative expertise on the integration of fiscal, demographic, and service utilization datasets.
Working Conditions
Under Government Code 14200, this position is a hybrid, in-office/telework position, and may be subject to change. Incumbent can be required to report to the office, or any designated location at any time. Telework agreements can be modified and/or cancelled at any time.
Pursuant to California Government Code requirements, candidates must be residents of the State of California at the time of appointment. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate. This position requires lawful authorization to work in the United States. The Department does not sponsor employment visas for this position. Onsite work is performed in an open-spaced, partitioned office environment. The office is located in a multi-story building in downtown Sacramento. Work requires the use of a computer. Occasional daytime and overnight statewide travel may be required.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I
Additional Documents
Job Application Package Checklist
Duty Statement
Position Details
Job Code #: JC-507334
Position #(s): 472-527-5742-XXX
Working Title: Research Data Specialist I
Classification: RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I
$6,955.00 - $8,706.00
A 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
Facility: Department of Developmental Services
Department Information
The California Department of Developmental Services (Department) is the agency through which the State of California provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities. These disabilities include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and related conditions. Services are provided through state-operated developmental centers and community facilities, and contracts with 21 nonprofit regional centers. The regional centers serve as a local resource to help find and access the services and supports available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
The Department is located in a modern, sustainable and innovative office building at 1215 "O" Street, Sacramento, California. Some amenities of the building include:
First floor retail space (separate access from 12th Street) Café with multiple vendors Outdoor seating for meal breaks Employee fitness center which includes a yoga studio, cardio equipment and weights Plaza area with kitchenette on each floor Lactation rooms
Department Website: http://www.dds.ca.gov
Special Requirements
The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be numbered in the same order as the following areas, typed in 12-point Arial font, single spaced, and be no more than two pages in length. Applicants who fail to answer the questions or submit an SOQ may not be considered.
Describe a time series forecasting project that you worked on in the past. Please give details of the workflow. In particular, how did you assess data quality and prepare data for the task? What forecast methodology did you select and why? How did you communicate forecast results? Was there any follow up steps after the results were delivered?
Give details of a data visualization project of yours. What was the purpose of the visual and what analytics were included? Talk about ideas behind the visual design and tools that you selected to build the visual. If you were to redo the same project again, what would you change to improve the visual?
If you are using list eligibility from an on-line exam to qualify for this position, you MUST include with your application any documentation (i.e., copy of transcript, degree, license, etc.) to verify meeting the MQ's or you may not be considered. The MQs will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If it is determined that an applicant does not meet the MQs of the classification, the applicant may not be considered and withheld from the eligible list.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
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).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.
If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Developmental Services - Headquarters N/A Attn: Alfonso Alejandre Cert Unit 1215 O Street, MS 10-40 Sacramento, CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Developmental Services - Headquarters N/A Alfonso Alejandre Cert Unit 1215 O Street, MS 10-40 Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
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.
School Transcripts
Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and is a narrative discussion of how the candidate's education, training, experience, and skills meet the minimum and desirable qualifications and qualify them for the position. The SOQ serves as a documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. SEE "SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS" ABOVE FOR INSTRUCTIONS.
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.
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:
Expertise in fiscal modeling, cost decomposition, and budget forecasting; proficiency in SQL, Python, R, and data visualization tools (Python/Power BI/Tableau); strong understanding of econometric or machine learning methods applied to fiscal data; excellent communication and collaboration skills; familiar with source code version control system such as Git; working knowledge of docker containerization platform.
Benefits
As a state employee working for the Department of Developmental Services, you and your family will have access to excellent medical, dental and vision insurance benefits in addition to retirement benefits. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment. Additional benefits may also be outlined for specific bargaining units in employee collective bargaining contracts. For more information, please visit the links below:
State Employees - CalHR Benefits Website CalPERS Health Benefit Summary 2026
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Additional Information
Electronic application submission is highly encouraged. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment. This recruitment may be utilized to fill future vacancies that may occur during the life of the certification list.
If you are basing your eligibility on educational requirements, you MUST provide a legible copy of your degree or transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) as proof of meeting the education requirement as listed in the Classification Specification (please see the Class Specification located under "Minimum Requirements" on the left-hand side of this job posting). Note: All foreign transcripts MUST be accompanied by a third-party academic credential evaluation.
The link for