Exam Bulletin - Research Scientist Sup. I (Epidemiology/Biostats.)

State of California

Exam Code: EX-3493

Examination Plans Included:

  • RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR I (EPIDEMIOLOGY/BIOSTATISTICS) - Open

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

Classification Details

RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR I (EPIDEMIOLOGY/BIOSTATISTICS): $8,984.00 - $11,196.00 per Month

View the RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR I (EPIDEMIOLOGY/BIOSTATISTICS) classification specification.

Application Instructions

The Research Scientist Supervisor I includes the following specialties:

 

Research Scientist Supervisor I (Chemical Sciences)

Research Scientist Supervisor I (Epidemiology/Biostatistics)
Research Scientist Supervisor I (Food and Drug Sciences)

Research Scientist Supervisor I (Microbiological Sciences)

Research Scientist Supervisor I (Physical/Engineering Sciences)

Research Scientist Supervisor I (Social/Behavioral Sciences)

Research Scientist Supervisor I (Veterinary Sciences)


When completing the minimum qualifications page, you must fill in all applicable experience for each specialty (i.e., chemical, epidemiology/biostatistics, food and drug, microbiological, physical/engineering, social/behavioral, and veterinary sciences) that you wish to apply for. Once you have taken the exam and receive results, you will not be allowed to add any additional specialty or retake the exam for 12 months.


If you have tested for the Research Scientist Supervisor I classification as part of
any of the specialties in the series within the previous 12 months, it may be too early for you to take this exam. Please check your CalCareer account for the retake date on your exam results notification for this classification BEFORE continuing this exam process. Retaking this exam under another or a new User I.D. and password, Social Security Number (voluntary, not required, information), or name is not allowed.


This is 
not a timed exam. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the exam until the request is processed.

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 SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR I (EPIDEMIOLOGY/BIOSTATISTICS) - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

    3493

For RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR I (EPIDEMIOLOGY/BIOSTATISTICS), once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-03493

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.

00105643 - RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR I (EPIDEMIOLOGY/BIOSTATISTICS)

Education: The required degree must have been obtained from a recognized U.S. university or from a foreign university approved by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education under the provision of California Education Code Chapter 3, Part 59, Division 10.

 

Food and Drug Sciences

 

Meet the requirements to be commissioned by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior to appointment to the position.

 

Veterinary Sciences

 

A valid license issued by a state Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine to practice as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine will be required prior to appointment.

 

Either 1

 

Experience: Three years of experience in the California state service performing scientific research duties comparable to those of a Research Scientist II in the stated specialty or a closely related field. Research involved in the completion of the dissertation required for the doctoral degree may be substituted for one year of the required experience. and

 

Education: Possession of a master's degree in the stated specialty or in a closely related field.

 

Or 2

 

 

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing scientific research duties comparable to those of a Research Scientist III in the stated specialty or a closely related field. and

 

Education: Possession of a master's degree in the stated specialty or in a closely related field.

 

Or 3

 

Experience: Two years of progressively responsible research experience in the stated specialty or a closely related field. This experience must have included either: (1) Experience with major responsibility for the design and execution of a complex, highly specialized research project; or (2) Experience in the coordination and direction of a complex and difficult research effort. At least one year of this experience must be at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Research Scientist III. and

 

Education: Possession of a doctoral degree in the stated specialty or a closely related field.

Position Description

00105643 - RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR I (EPIDEMIOLOGY/BIOSTATISTICS)

Under general direction, the Research Scientist Supervisor I is responsible for the supervision of Research Scientists I, II, and III and other lower-level staff and serves as the first supervisory level in the Research Scientist series. Positions allocated to this class will be considered as working level supervisors responsible for a small unit of scientific and nonscientific staff, typically totaling from three to eight professional State and/or contract employees. Incumbents provide administrative guidance and direction to subordinates and plan, organize, and direct major scientific research studies or public health investigations of a broad scientific scope and complexity; make independent decisions in their specific scientific field; may serve as advisors or consultants to other lower-level scientists conducting studies in their specific scientific field of expertise. Incumbents adapt methods, techniques, and procedures to carry out assignments. Work and conclusions are accepted as technically authoritative and are reviewed only for meeting the assignment's objectives. Incumbents may also conduct highly specialized phases of a major scientific project or investigation of sufficient scope to require coordination with professional staff from other State, local, or Federal agencies; publish or present scientific research or investigations conducted to other public health experts and the community; provide interpretations of scientific research findings for use by others; prepare required budgetary and staffing patterns for special scientific research projects; recruit, train, and supervise appropriate research personnel; may represent the department in promoting, explaining, and coordinating scientific research affecting public health; and perform other related work.

Desirable Qualifications


In appraising the relative qualifications of candidates, consideration will be given to the extent and type of pertinent training, experience, and research accomplishments for the designated specialty over and above that required under "Minimum Qualifications."


Veterinary Sciences


For positions involving the practice of veterinary epidemiology, possession of a master's degree or above in Public Health, epidemiology, or a field of preventative medicine appropriate to the specialty.


For positions involving the practice of laboratory animal medicine, completion of specialty training or board certification in the specialty area beyond the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree is desired.


For positions involving the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery, or any branch thereof, a valid license issued by the Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine for the State of California to practice as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine will be required prior to appointment.

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

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1CalHR Online ExamN/A100%

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. Current scientific research literature and trends applicable to the scientific research area
  2. Principles and procedures of scientific research planning, design, methodology and analysis 
  3. Methods of preparation of scientific research reports 
  4. Scientific statistical methods and procedures 
  5. Data processing techniques 
  6. Bibliographic survey or previous related scientific research techniques 
  7. Determination and qualification of variables and mechanization of compilation of scientific data
  8. Principles and practices of effective supervision
  9. A manager's/supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment


Ability to:

  1. Evaluate the adequacy of proposed scientific research designs and techniques
  2. Think independently and creatively
  3. Establish and maintain cooperative relations with professional staff and with officials of Federal, State, local, university and private research organizations 
  4. Communicate effectively 
  5. Prepare scientific articles for publication
  6. Prepare scientific reports 
  7. Provide persuasive and skilled leadership to other staff in scientific research, principles and methods 
  8. Apply professional scientific knowledge and administrative ability to resolve a variety of situations 
  9. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action
  10. Participate as a team member of public health research or scientific investigation projects
  11. Make independent decisions in a very limited area of a scientific field
  12. Provide information to higher-level scientists in support of decisions on scientific research 
  13. Interpret scientific findings and present to higher-level scientists 
  14. Apply established guidelines and scientific techniques
  15. Serve as team leaders on small scientific projects
  16. Make independent, difficult decisions in a specific scientific field
  17. Plan, organize, and direct scientific research studies of a highly developed scientific scope and complexity
  18. Serve as a team leader for complex public health research or scientific investigation projects
  19. Serve as a consultant to other public health research scientists
  20. Make health-based scientific decisions within the project scope
  21. Serve as a direct supervisor and team leader for complex scientific projects
  22. Supervise and direct a work unit of professional classes
  23. Make health-based scientific decisions within the project scope that may affect department policies

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR I (EPIDEMIOLOGY/BIOSTATISTICS) 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 Scientist Supervisor I (Epidemiology/Biostatistics) 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 EDUCATION or WORK EXPERIENCE, whether paid or volunteer work that you have completed.


PLEASE NOTE: This examination is designed to gain an overall assessment of your education and experience as it directly relates to the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position. Possession of specific education is 
not required to be successful in this examination; however, such achievements may substitute for desirable levels of experience. 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. Plan and organize major scientific research studies or health investigations of a broad scientific scope and complexity.
  2. Direct major scientific research studies or health investigations of a broad scientific scope and complexity.
  3. Act as a technical scientific consultant on health projects and investigations within a program on a specific phase of a more complex scientific research study.
  4. Serve as scientific advisor or consultant to other lower-level scientists conducting studies in a specific scientific field of expertise.
  5. Solve problems using standard principles, procedures, and techniques for a scientific area of expertise.
  6. Make original, independent decisions on complex scientific problems using scientific theories and principles on association and risk.
  7. Adapt scientific methods, techniques, and procedures to carry out assignments.
  8. Work on conclusions that are accepted as technically authoritative and are reviewed only for meeting the assignment’s objectives.
  9. Conduct highly specialized phases of a major scientific project or investigation of sufficient scope to require coordination with other State, local, or Federal agencies.
  10. Present scientific research or investigations and publish research in peer reviewed scientific journals.
  11. Provide interpretations of scientific research findings for use by others.
  12. Prepare required budgetary and staffing patterns for special scientific research projects.
  13. Recruit and train appropriate research personnel.
  14. Represent the department in promoting, explaining, and coordinating scientific research.
  15. Act as a subject-matter expert in conducting health scientific research.
  16. Identifies and enables use of data and information to improve organizational processes and performance.
  17. Makes decisions regarding grant or cooperative agreement applications, implementation and/or reporting processes.
  18. Provide supervision or leadership to a program, office or section.
  19. Prioritize operational tasks and activities based on available funding, mandates, program deliverables and relative value.
  20. Assist with strategic planning and translate agency strategy into operational practices.
  21. Participate in quality improvement and quality assurance efforts.
  22. Lead quality improvement and quality assurance efforts.
  23. Review and approve reports and other assignments from staff before submission to department and other stakeholders.
  24. Develop and track performance indicators and feedback metrics to ensure quality and defensibility of work.
  25. Apply scientific statistical and analytical methods, procedures and techniques.
  26. Use current scientific research literature and trends applicable to the scientific research area.
  27. Apply principles and practices of effective supervision including adaptive leadership and soft skills (i.e., theory and hardware) and their associated software.
  28. Promote equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and advancement, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
  29. Present statistical, demographic, programmatic and scientific information to professional and lay audiences.
  30. Apply Quality Assurance/Quality Control methods and procedures.
  31. Apply information security and privacy laws/policies, as well as appropriate procedures to manage confidential data.
  32. Use management skills and techniques to ensure work load balance; efficient use of resources and effective delegation.
  33. Utilize analytical instrumentation and technology (i.e., theory and hardware) and their associated software.
  34. Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with professional staff and with officials of Federal, State, local, university and private research organizations.
  35. Communicate effectively to technical and non-technical audiences in both written and oral methods.
  36. Prepare research proposals, grant proposals, and scientific reports.
  37. Provide persuasive and skilled leadership to other staff in scientific research, principles and methods.
  38. Apply professional scientific knowledge and administrative ability to resolve a variety of situations.
  39. Analyze situations accurately to develop solutions and take effective action.
  40. Provide information, interpret scientific findings and present to higher-level scientists in support of decisions on scientific research.
  41. Evaluate the adequacy of proposed scientific research designs and techniques.
  42. Serve as a team member of health research or scientific investigation projects.
  43. Serve as a direct supervisor and team leader for complex scientific projects.
  44. Work independently and develop scientific guidelines and technical procedures; including the ability to establish long-range objectives and specify the strategies and actions to achieve them.
  45. Coordinate diverse activities to ensure completion of projects, tasks and assignments.

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)