Job Posting: Research Data Specialist

Cradle-to-Career

JC-463085
-
Research Data Specialist
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III

$8,148.00 - $10,199.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 1/24/2025

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 to support the development and maintenance of the C2C Data System focusing on data visualization, system enhancements, and stakeholder collaboration.

We are looking for a technical expert who is excited to build something new with a small, entrepreneurial team. Our ideal candidate is passionate about protecting data integrity and mitigating bias in data use, facilitating user-centered design, and conducting research to inform decision-making.

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.

As the Research Data Specialist, your work will help to ensure the data system's user-centered design, accuracy, relevance, and the secure handling of sensitive and confidential data. This includes:
  • Designing and maintaining data dashboards and query tools
  • Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including data architects and design specialists, to enhance the system's capabilities
  • Conducting regular data audits to ensure data integrity, accuracy, and compliance with data protection regulations
  • Generating insights from community engagement that lead to actionable changes in user experience, design, and planning processes
Your work will be challenging, fun, and focused on enabling Californians to build a more equitable future.

We are a remote-centric team, and this position can be primarily remote for California residents.

The following captures your approach:

  • You have innovative ideas for informing data visualization and stakeholder collaboration 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 using tools and technologies 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 project or program 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 provides telework opportunities, including the ability to work partially remote.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-463085
Position #(s):
424-100-5770-XXX
Working Title:
Research Data Specialist
Classification:
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST III
$8,148.00 - $10,199.00 A
# 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 recently established office working to build a new statewide data system that will provide tools to help students reach their goals and deliver information on education and workforce outcomes. The office is building 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. The vision is to foster evidence-based decision-making to help Californians build more equitable futures and empower individuals to reach their full potential.
Department Website: https://www.C2C.ca.gov

Special Requirements

You must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). You need to provide direct responses to each of the numbered items. You must include the numbered item followed by your response. Include specific examples of your education, training, and/or experience. Limit your SOQ to two (2) pages, single-spaced, twelve-point Arial font.

  1. Please describe your experience (including number of years, in what role, and for what employer) building data products or maintaining data dashboards or query tools aimed at understanding and promoting equity. Highlight the tools and technologies used.
  2. What is your approach to sharing highly technical data analysis results for the following audiences: technical teams, decision makers, and community members.  
  3. Provide specific examples of your experience evaluating the viability, feasibility, and potential impact of research proposals.
Note: If you do not follow the instructions, you may not move forward in this recruitment. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

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: 1/24/2025

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: Human Resources Office - Izzy Isquierdo C2C
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
Human Resources Office - Izzy Isquierdo C2C
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
08:00 AM - 04:00 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 -

    You must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). See the Special Requirements section 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:
  • Experience with project management and leadership
  • Proficient in reproducible data analysis using a statistical programming language like R or Python
  • Effectively communicates the results of data analysis and research to technical and non-technical staff, both verbally and in writing
  • Experience collaborating with technical teams
  • Familiarity with State and Federal Data Systems (e.g. CALPADS, NCES, IPEDS)
  • Experience working in a secure data room
  • Experience working with Tableau
  • Current on the latest best practices for research methodology

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:
Izzy Isquierdo
(916) 909-3290
izzy.isquierdo@calhr.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Ryan Estrellado
(916) 208-8493
Ryan.Estrellado@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

When completing the State application, STD 678, you must include a description of the duties performed for each position held. You may not move forward in this recruitment if you write “See Resume."

Redact confidential information from all documents you submit for this position. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to:

  • Social security number (CalCareers removes this from the first page of the State application, STD. 678, upon submission)
  • Birthdate
  • Student identification number
  • Driver license number (unless required)
  • Basis of eligibility
  • Examination results
  • LEAP status
  • Marital status
  • Age
You can apply in one of three ways:
  • Online (preferred),
  • U.S. mail, parcel deliver or courier service, or
  • In person
We may fill additional positions from this recruitment.

Examination Information

We have a three-step guide to a state job.

You must pass an examination to become a state employee. State examinations measure your skills and experience. When you pass an examination, you become list eligible, which allows us to consider you for this appointment.

Before you start the examination:

  • Review the sample questions in the examination bulletin.
  • Have your resume handy. You will need it during the examination.
The examination starts with a series of questions. They confirm you meet the minimum qualifications.

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

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.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job