What are the responsibilities and job description for the RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III position at Department of Public Health?
Incumbents in one of these classifications, where a Master’s Degree is required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 2% of their monthly base pay. Those where a Doctoral Degree is required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 3% of their monthly base pay. Individuals with both a Master’s and Doctoral Degree will be given the best benefit in relation to salary shall only be eligible for only one amount.
This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by serving as a member of the Research and Analytics Branch (RAB), functioning as a public health statistician, leading activities which include analysis of complex datasets to drive strategic decisions, quality control, and transformation of data from multiple sources, and the management of vital statistics data. Designs, implements, and maintains scalable and secure data systems and pipelines, while also collaborating with other teams to ensure data quality, availability, and usability.
The Research Data Specialist III (RDS III) leads the design and development of Vital Records data processing systems, ensuring they are maintainable, reusable, secure, reliable, and documented. Ensures the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of data throughout the data lifecycle. Leads and mentors Research Data Specialists and Analysts, providing guidance and support.
Researches data issues and anomalies and develops quality improvement strategies. Works closely with the RAB team, and other stakeholders to understand researcher and business needs and translates them into technical solutions. Implements and enforces data governance policies and procedures to ensure data security and compliance. Identifies areas for improvement in data engineering practices and drives innovation to enhance Vital Records data.
Provides subject matter expertise in Federal, State, and local initiatives related to advanced data analytics. The incumbent supports CDPH program data analysis efforts across the department; provides analytics services training/education; and ensures standards-based approaches to data sharing, information exchange, privacy, and security of public health data and information. The RDS III will also represent the Branch at various data committees, task forces, and workgroup meetings.
The incumbent works under the general direction of the Research Data Manager, Chief of RAB.
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You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
Telework Information
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 CDPH’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.
Travel may be required for this position. Reimbursement for travel takes into consideration an employee’s designated headquarters, as reflected in the duty statement, and is subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the attached duty statement.
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
Department Information
The Center for Health Statistics and Informatics (CHSI) is responsible for department-wide initiatives to improve the effectiveness of our work through better health information systems, increased application of epidemiologic methods of analysis, strong liaisons with public health organizations and schools of public health, and effective partnerships with local health agencies and professionals. CHSI houses the Office of Vital Records, responsible for registering all California vital events and providing birth, death, and marriage records to the public. In addition, CHSI is involved in many cross-cutting and innovative data projects including the statewide Open Data Portal and Health Information Exchange.
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- The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.
Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov
Special Requirements
A completed State application (STD. 678) and any other relevant documents (e.g. unofficial transcript, copy of degree, resume, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareers Account. Please reference Job Control # (496734) and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application. Please remove any confidential information (i.e. social security number, date of birth) from your documents prior to submission.
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 CalCareers Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. Submitting an electronic application through your CalCareers account is strongly recommended since electronic applications will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing. Please submit only one application.
If you are unable to submit your application electronically through your CalCareers account, please email apply@cdph.ca.gov for assistance and a CDPH Human Resources Division staff member will contact you to assist with the online application process or, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method as explained in the How to Apply section below. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.
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: 11/6/2025Who May 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
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
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.
- Other -
Please see Supplemental Questionnaire instructions below at end of Posting. Any applications received that do not provide a written response to the SQ will not be scored/reviewed.
Desirable Qualifications
- Self-motivated.
- Experience with data analysis; management using programming languages SQL, R, SAS, Databricks or python; and creating data visualization tools.
- Demonstrate willingness to assume analytical duties of high complexity, manage multifaceted short, medium, and long-term analytical projects, and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
- Be extremely proficient in the use of various computer word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications and be willing to learn new technological tools and to incorporate them in daily tasks.
- Possess exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present information and express ideas in a clear, confident, and convincing manner.
- Possess excellent project management skills.
- Demonstrate ability to offer succinct, value-added recommendations, exercise sound judgment.
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a multi-disciplined team environment.
- Perform both independently and in a cooperative team environment.
- Possess strong organizational and time management skills.
- Demonstrate excellent attention to detail.
- Demonstrate the ability to prioritize and work well under pressure to meet quick deadlines.
- Possess outstanding customer service skills.
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.cdph.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Human Resources Division
(916) 445-0983
apply@cdph.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Juanita Joyce
(916) 445-6902
juanita.joyce@cdph.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:EEO Office
(916) 445-0938
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.
Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) Instructions
- Please review the Duty Statement for this position. Please describe how your education, training, experience, and skills best qualify you for this position, based on the duty statement 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.
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.
