Exam Bulletin

State of California

Exam Code: EX-1304

Examination Plans Included:

  • RESEARCH DATA ANALYST I - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

RESEARCH DATA ANALYST I: $3,895.00 - $6,214.00 per Month

View the RESEARCH DATA ANALYST I classification specification.

Application Instructions

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • RESEARCH DATA ANALYST I - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 9 months:

Exam Code(s):

    1304

For RESEARCH DATA ANALYST I, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 9 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01304

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00105729 - RESEARCH DATA ANALYST I

Education
Incumbents must possess 12 semester or 18 quarter units course work in any combination of a data driven research-related field, such as economics, mathematics, psychology, sociology, demography, geography, anthropology, statistics, data science or a research-related field. This must include at least one course in statistical methods; and

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor's degree. Work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis by applicants who have the required units mentioned above.

Position Description

00105729 - RESEARCH DATA ANALYST I

This is the entry, recruiting and developmental classification. Under direct supervision, incumbents perform basic research, data gathering, scheduled report maintenance, and statistical work in one or more areas of a broad range of subject matters, utilizing structured and unstructured data from existing reports and resources for statewide business improvement. Incumbents are assigned duties and responsibilities commensurate with their background and training. Work at this level is characterized by a reliance on proven techniques and methodologies and usually involves assignments in areas where a comparable body of knowledge and experimentation exists.

All employees must have general qualifications as described by California Code of Regulations, title 2, se ction 172.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following components:

  • Online Exam : A passing score must be achieved and is weighted 100% of the final score.

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. Data analysis methods and techniques including gathering and collection of structured and unstructured data, as well as general principles, concepts and terminology used in research
  2. Planning studies and investigations
  3. Trend analysis procedures
  4. Time management techniques to provide for efficient prioritization and completion of projects and assignments
  5. Software to prepare spreadsheet summaries, reports, charts, and tables
  6. Basic arithmetic and statistical techniques to analyze numerical data
  7. Departmental policies and procedures
Ability to:
  1. Research, gather, compile, and analyze structured and unstructured data
  2. Conduct and interpret descriptive statistical analyses using appropriate software to test research hypotheses and to formulate conclusions and recommendations
  3. Prepare research and statistical reports
  4. Analyze written and numerical data regarding general governmental problems
  5. Speak and write effectively
  6. Develop and evaluate alternatives, recommendations, solutions, and conclusions or approaches to research problems
  7. Manage a workload consisting of multiple projects and assignments
  8. Complete work under critical timelines to meet project objectives and deadlines
  9. Be objective and flexible to adapt to changes in priorities and work assignments
  10. Gain and maintain the confidence and cooperation of others, collaborate, and work in multidisciplinary teams

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the RESEARCH DATA ANALYST I Classification will be established for:

  • State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Research Data Analyst 1 Training and Experience Exam Preview

Instructions:  

Rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks.

 

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every question and provide relevant examples.  Also, indicate the references who can verify the information provided.

 

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your WORK EXPERIENCE, whether paid or volunteer, your EDUCATION, and/or FORMAL TRAINING COURSES you have completed.

 

PLEASE NOTE:  This examination is designed to gain an overall assessment of your training and experience as it directly relates to the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position.  All components of this examination have been carefully validated by tying them directly to job requirements and documenting their relevance to the position.

Tasks

1. Implementing research methods or hypotheses to answer or address research questions.
2. Reviewing literature and background information to identify research problems and/or determine appropriate research methods.
3. Reviewing quantitative and/or qualitative data to identify potential issues (e.g., accuracy, confidentiality, bias).
4. Retrieving and compiling data from various internal/external sources (e.g., computer networks, internet, mobile devices, other organizations).
5. Utilizing various software programs (e.g., Excel, Access, SAS, SPSS, SQL, GIS) for data analysis.
6. Applying descriptive statistical techniques (e.g., mean, median, mode, percentages, frequency) using statistical software (e.g., Excel, SAS, SPSS).
7. Analyzing statistical and/or other quantitative analysis results to answer relevant research questions.
8. Creating graphs, charts, and tables to effectively convey research results.
9. Writing reports or summaries using appropriate software (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel) to communicate information about projects.
10. Establishing work priorities, scope of assignments and deadlines for work to ensure objectives are met effectively and in a timely manner.


    Testing Departments

    • State of California

    Contact Information

    Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

    State of California
    CalCareer Service Center
    1810 16th Street
    Sacramento, CA 95811
    Phone: (866) 844-8671
    CalCareer@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.

    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.

    Drug Free Statement

    It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State 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.

    General Information

    Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

    If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

    State of California reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

    General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

    Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

    High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

    Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.

    Application Methods:
    Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)