Job Posting: Principal Researcher

Department of Social Services

JC-489086
-
Principal Researcher
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: 9/15/2025

Job Description and Duties

This is a 12-month limited-term position and may be extended to a maximum of 24-months and/or may become permanent based on operational needs.

The Research, Automation, and Data Division (RADD) is seeking a mission-driven, curious, team player to join us as Research Data Specialist III. The RDS III is the Principal Researcher for the Research and Data Insights Branch. This position will use advanced quantitative analytical methods to inform CDSS program decision-making and improve department processes.

This work involves building and implementing a portfolio of research projects that advance with CDSS program priorities. For each project, the RDS III will use the analytical tools that most improve service outcomes and understanding of the people CDSS serves. This work also involves defining the role of quantitative analysis and computational methods at CDSS and advising partners on whether and when to deploy such methods. The RDS III will provide technical direction to other researchers, reviewing and providing feedback on research products or code, and developing guidance on how to implement well-documented, reproducible, and technically rigorous quantitative research.

This position combines a passion for CDSS' mission, a commitment to rigorous, quantitative research, and a drive to operate at the intersection of cutting-edge, actionable, and empathetic research.

For more information on the duties of this position see the attached duty statement.

If you would like to share how you learned about this career opportunity, please take a moment to complete our brief Recruitment Survey.

Need help with applying for positions, taking an examination, or preparing for interviews? Our team is here to support you, reach out anytime at Recruiter@dss.ca.gov For guidance on applying for a state job, visit Three Steps to a State Job.

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

Working Conditions

Headquarter location will be designated based on the selected candidate's primary residence location, and/or the closest CDSS location. This position can be filled in the following locations:

ALAMEDA, BUTTE, FRESNO, HUMBOLDT, LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, RIVERSIDE, SACRAMENTO, SAN DIEGO, SAN JOAQUIN, SAN MATEO, SANTA BARBARA, OR SANTA CLARA.

This position is eligible for hybrid work in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order N-22-25 and at the sole discretion of the Department of Social Services under California Government Code Section 14200. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be re-evaluated at any time. The incumbent will be expected to report for in office work and attend work related in-person events as deemed operationally necessary. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the CDSS policies. For positions advertised in more than one location, headquarter location may be designated on the selected candidate's primary residence location, and/or the closest CDSS location in accordance with operational need and available space. The successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.

Relocation expenses will be provided if you need to relocate to California from outside the state.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-489086
Position #(s):
800-654-5770-955
Working Title:
Principal Researcher
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:
United States
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Department Information

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The vision of the California Department of Social Services is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive.

The Research, Automation, and Data Division's (RADD) mission is to improve the way the Department collects, manages, and deploys data to support the efficient, effective, and equitable delivery of government social services. RADD manages major statewide initiatives to streamline and automate eligibility determination and benefit administration for key safety net programs, and leads efforts such as human-centered design, data governance, automation and continuous quality improvement, data visualization and analysis, and research partnerships to improve client outcomes and promote program integrity. Across these efforts, RADD provides coaching to the Department on all aspects of the data lifecycle.

RADD’s Research and Data Insights Branch (RDI) serves as CDSS’s in-house research and data team. RDI works collaboratively within the department lead, coordinate, and execute research and evaluation projects to deliver more impactful, efficient, and equitable CDSS programs and services.



CDSS Guiding Principles  

 

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Accessibility. Belonging.

We ensure opportunities for everyone to participate in a meaningful way in fulfilling the mission and vision of CDSS.

Community Engagement

We prioritize the lived experiences of community members as a driving force behind the creation, implementation, desired impact, or change of programs and services.

Empowerment

We engage, operate, and advocate from the understanding that each community and person has desires and capabilities to lead in their own life.

Quality Services

We provide services that align intent and impact by ensuring that they are accessible, community driven, interconnected, and continuously improved.

Data Defined Outcomes

We equitably collect and analyze data, take data-driven action, and measure outcomes relevant to those we serve, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Special Requirements

Do not include any confidential information on any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

Please review the classification specifications, and include accurate and detailed descriptions when describing previous work experience. When describing their work experience applicants should take care to include detailed descriptions of their duties and responsibilities to ensure that their qualifications are evaluated accurately during the candidate screening process. Taking this step will ensure that your educational background and experience will be evaluated accurately during the candidate screening process.

The SOQ must be submitted along with the Application/Standard Form (STD) 678 in CalCareers. The SOQ should be typed, with a length of approximately one page, at Arial 12 pt. font. The response should be no more than 500 words. Application packages received without specific responses to the supplemental questionnaire will not be considered.

Your SOQ must specifically address the following question to be considered for this position:

1) Please describe a time where you led a research project that used computational methods and statistical modeling to inform real-world decision-making. In your response, note a.) what decision(s) you aimed to inform, b.) the type and quantity of data you analyzed, c.) the analytical methods you employed, d.) the software tools you used to analyze the data, and e.) how your analysis was/was not used to inform the decision.

a. Note: The research question does not have to be government/policy-related. It can be from any institutional context (including government, non-profit or community-based organization, for-profit business, education institution, or your own community).You may include links to publicly available descriptions of, or code repositories related to, your work.

*** Search CalHR's "CalCareers Tutorials for Job Seekers" for additional information. This series provides guidance for writing a strong Statement of Qualifications, along with tutorials related to job application processes with the State of California.

You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is inaccurate or incomplete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history.

If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire.

Training and Development assignments may be considered based on the availability of eligible candidates and are subject to approval by the Hiring Authority prior to appointment. Training and Development assignments are temporary in nature and shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

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: 9/15/2025

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.

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:

Department of Social Services
California Department of Social Services
Attn: Classification and Pay
P.O.Box 944243
Sacramento, CA 94244-2430

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Social Services
California Department of Social Services
Classification and Pay
744 P Street, MS 8-15-58
Sacramento, CA 95814
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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Statement of Qualifications - Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.
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 using statistical models (principally regression methods) and computational methods (such as machine learning).
  • Lived experience interacting with CDSS or other social safety net programs.
  • Programming experience in R, Python, SQL, SAS and/or other languages.
  • Experience with version control (Git) and cloud-based, relational databases (Snowflake)
  • Knowledge of experimental and quasi-experimental research methods.
  • Strong interest in safety net, child welfare, and/or child care policy.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team!  The State of California has a generous benefits package that includes medical coverage, CalPERS pension upon retirement, two weeks paid vacation per year, two weeks paid sick leave per year, two paid Professional Development Days, one paid Personal Holiday, pre-tax parking fee program.

 

TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT

  • Public transit (mass transit) passes.
    • 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
    • 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.
  • Vanpool drivers and riders
    • 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.


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

Contact Information

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

Hiring Unit Contact:
Joaquin Carbonell
(404) 402-7711
joaquin.carbonell@dss.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) 657-2326
EEOoffice@dss.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.

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 - Salaries do not reflect reductions from the Personal Leave Program, please see the applicable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for additional information on the length and percentage of reductions.

Examination Information

Those interested in obtaining employment with any state agency must apply and compete through the state hiring and recruitment process.

To apply for the examination for this position, click on the link below to search for the examination and follow the “How to Apply” instructions in the examination announcement:

Successful examination applicants are placed on an eligibility list. If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination. Applicants should refer to their examination results or check their CalCareer account for specific list eligibility expiration dates and to re-take the examination when necessary. For questions regarding the examination process, please contact the Examination Unit at: Examinations@dss.ca.gov.

Please note: You will need to take and pass an examination in order to establish list eligibility prior to job offer.

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