RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

Job Posting: Research Data Specialist

Cradle-to-Career

JC-535079

• Research Data Specialist

RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

$8,392.00 - $10,505.00 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: 10/19/2026

Application Methods:

Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)

By Mail

Drop-off

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Job Description and Duties

California's long-awaited statewide Cradle-to-Career Data System has launched. You can help build a statewide system that brings together existing data with an aim of addressing barriers to opportunity from early learning, through K-12, college, and career.

We are hiring a Research Data Specialist III to support the development of the C2C Data System and its tools that help students and individuals achieve their goals. The position will serve as the Career Passport Design Lead to provide technical capacity for the development and scaling of practical tools including the Career Passport.

We are looking for a leader who is excited to build something new with a small, entrepreneurial team. Our ideal candidate is passionate about working collaboratively and contributing to work that can improve the lives of many.

About the Role

As the Research Data Specialist, you will play a key role on the Data Programs team to support the data system's user centered design, accuracy, and tools. This includes:

• Leading complex projects and facilitating meetings with senior leaders
• Facilitating stakeholder engagement and project management to develop the Career Passport as a shared tool
• Leading design and requirement input sessions
• Developing and maintaining data dashboards
• Generating insights from community engagement and research that lead to actionable changes to user experience, design, and planning processes
• Working with partners to advance our organizational goals and bring practical tools to scale

Your work will be challenging, fun, and focused on enabling Californians to build a more equitable future.

About You

The following captures your approach:

• You have innovative ideas for informing stakeholder collaboration and research with values like equity, transparency, collaboration, accountability, and curiosity
• You have a passion for improving the lives of young people, including empowering students, community members, researchers, and policy makers with actionable information and data systems
• You have practical experience in user research design and implementation, project planning, and stakeholder management
• You have experience using tools and languages such as but not limited to R, Python, Stata, Structured Query Language (SQL), Tableau and Geographic Information System (GIS) software
• You are highly organized and skilled at project managing multiple workstreams at the same time
• You have a track record of effective leadership and working collaboratively within an organization and across organizations

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

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Employees are currently required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs.

Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program. Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program: http://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.

The successful candidate will be required to pass a criminal background check (see Education Code 10873).

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-535079

Position #(s):

424-100-5770-002

Working Title:

Research Data Specialist

Classification:

RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

$8,392.00 - $10,505.00 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

Department Information

The Office of Cradle-to-Career Data (C2C) is a new state investment working to build a statewide data system that will provide tools to help students reach their goals and deliver reliable and actionable information on education and workforce outcomes.

California's information on early education, K-12 schools, colleges, social services, and employment is currently separate and disconnected. That's why California authorized the creation of the Cradle-to-Career Data System. Through a collaborative 18-month planning process, we designed a data system to be a suite of user-friendly resources focused on early learning through K-12 and higher education, as well as on the financial aid and social services that help students reach their goals. It will include:

• Planning and application tools for students, families, and educators to streamline the college and financial aid processes and monitor student progress,
• Dashboards, query tools, and an analytical data set for researchers, policymakers, educators, and community members to inform research, advocacy, and policy analysis, and
• Community engagement and training to raise awareness of the data system and ensure it can be used by students, families, educators, researchers, and policymakers.

Our vision is to foster evidence-based decision-making to help Californians build more equitable futures and empower individuals to reach their full potential. This is your chance to join a brand-new office to build a transformative set of services to help Californians successfully navigate life from cradle to career.

Please note, CalHR provides contracted Human Resources services for Cradle-to-Career (C2C) and is not an E-Verified employer.

Department Website: https://www.c2c.ca.gov

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

All interested applicants are required to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Please provide direct responses to each of the numbered items listed below. Applicants must number and include the full text of the SOQ items in their response. Please include specific examples of your education, training, and/or experience. SOQs should be limited to a maximum of two (2) pages, single-spaced, twelve-point Arial font.

1. Please describe how your knowledge and experience make you qualified for this position. Indicate the number of years for each experience and highlight any tools and technologies used.

2. Describe your experience leading and managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, including your process for delegation, communication, facilitation, and generating buy-in.

3. Provide examples of how you were able to navigate uncertainty in complex research projects and manage towards success.

Note:Applicants who do not follow these instructions may be disqualified from the selection process. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

For helpful guidance on writing an effective SOQ, please see our Work4CA guide.

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.

Final Filing Date: 10/19/2026

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

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:

Cradle-to-Career

CalHR

Attn: Class & Hiring Unit

1515 S Street

North Building, Suite 500

Sacramento, CA 95811

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Cradle-to-Career

CalHR

Attn: Class & Hiring Unit

1810 16th Street

Sacramento, CA 95811

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 required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be included. Please see the Special Requirements section for instructions.
• Other - If you are using education to meet the Minimum Qualifications of the classification, please include your unofficial transcripts. If you are not using education, please bypass this requirement.

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:

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Experience with project management and leadership
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative research and analysis including programming languages such as Python, R, and SQL
• Experience with data visualization tools
• Experience working with large administrative data set
• Understanding of open science best practices
• Experience collaborating with both technical and non-technical teams
• Extensive knowledge of Learning and Employment Records, Skills-Based Hiring, and California education data
• The successful candidate will be required to pass a criminal background check (see Education Code 10873)

Benefits

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

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: https://www.c2c.ca.gov

Human Resources Contact:

Alexandra Scheuer

(916) 658-3177

Alexa.Scheuer@calhr.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:

Lesley Taylor

(916) 208-8493

lesley.taylor@c2c.ca.gov

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:

RA Coordinators

(916) 324-3235

RACoordinators@calhr.ca.gov

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 Application Information

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method for applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

• Electronic Submission: Application and any required applicable documents may be submitted electronically through CalCareers account. The application packages must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement.
• U.S Postal Service Mail: Application and any applicable required documents may be submitted by mail. The envelope must be postmarked before or on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement.

Do not include confidential information such as social security numbers, date of birth, marital status, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP information.

Per CCR 249.3 we may fill additional positions from this recruitment.

Examination Information

Take the online Research Data Specialist III exam to become list eligible for this position.

The Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) is an optional pathway to state civil service for people with disabilities. Visit the CalHR LEAP page for additional information.

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.