Job Posting: Research Data Specialist I

Department of Industrial Relations

JC-500298
-
Research Data Specialist I
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I

$6,955.00 - $8,706.00 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: 12/17/2025

Job Description and Duties

The Department of Industrial Relations, Office of the Director - Research Unit, is responsible for determining the prevailing wage rates in compliance with the California Labor Code and related regulations. The prevailing rate of per diem wages includes employer payments for health and welfare, pension, vacation/holiday, travel time and subsistence, training, and other payments for similar purposes as determined by the Director of Industrial Relations. The prevailing wage is the minimum rate of pay for workers employed on public works projects.

Under the general direction of the Research Data Supervisor II, the Research Data Specialist I (RDS I) has the primary responsibility for implementing certain program elements. The RDS I leads and performs the more complex research and investigations including localities or trade classifications where no prevailing wage determinations exist. The RDS I validates, analyzes collected information and data, and prepares documentation for the issuance of general prevailing wage rates for incorporation into the Director’s General Prevailing Wage Determinations and Special Prevailing Wage Determinations. The RDS I provides consultation to analysts with less experience and may provide training to new staff. The RDS I consults and communicates with staff at all levels within the organization, contacts and consults with members of the public, business and labor union representatives, and government officials in performance of their duties.

Please refer to the attached duty statement for more information.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

To be considered for this Research Data Specialist I job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=2360


Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click here to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

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

Working Conditions

The position is located at:
455 Golden Gate Ave., 9th Floor
San Francisco, CA

The incumbent works in a high rise office building in a cubicle office setting with artificial light and temperature control. The position is located in the San Francisco office. Typical machines, tools, or equipment required to operate include but are not limited to: PCs with Windows and database applications, copy/fax/scanner machines, VOIP telephone system, and shredders. Telework from home may be available.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-500298
Position #(s):
400-270-5742-010
Working Title:
Research Data Specialist I
Classification:
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I
$6,955.00 - $8,706.00 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:
San Francisco County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) was established in 1927. Its mission is to improve working conditions for California's wage earners and to advance opportunities for profitable employment in California. DIR administers and enforces laws governing wages, workplace safety and health, apprenticeship training programs, and medical care and other benefits for injured workers.

Electronic Submission of Applications preferred. Application Packages maybe submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at https://jobs.ca.gov/ Applications must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on or before the above final filing date.

Please only submit ONE application. Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the “Application Instructions” section below and ensure the following:

• Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.

• Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (cert, transfer, reinstatement, etc.) in the “Explanations” section located on the first page of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.

• Remove and do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678. This page is for examination use only.

• Do not include your full Social Security Number on your documents and/or do not provide any LEAP information.

Department Website: https://www.dir.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

In your SOQ, address each question below using specific examples of your education, training and work experience. Please address and number your responses to each item below in the same order as listed in this bulletin. Please provide references who can confirm your examples. The SOQ must be typed, single spaced, 12 point font and no more than 2 pages in length. Applicants who do not complete this SOQ and do not follow these requirements will not be considered. Cover letters, personal statements and resumes do not take place of the SOQ. Your SOQ response may be completed using the attached PDF template provided under “organizational chart” (optional).
  1. Describe how you possess extensive experience in conducting technical, economic or policy research and analyses of regulatory issues with emphasis on at least one of the following areas: public works and general prevailing wage determinations, construction industry and collective bargaining agreements, or comparable research projects. Please identify the position(s) in which you gained this experience and the amount of experience in each role.
  2. Describe your experience analyzing complex issues and preparing recommendations under tight deadlines with minimal oversight and supervision?

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: 12/17/2025

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 Industrial Relations
Cert Mailing Address Sacramento
Attn: Certifications Unit
2180 Harvard Street Suite 160
Sacramento, CA 95815

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Industrial Relations
Cert Drop Off Address Sacramento
2180 Harvard Street Suite 160
Sacramento, CA 95815
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 - Please see Special Requirements section of the posting for instructions on the Statement of Qualifications.
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:

  1. Extensive experience in conducting technical, economic or policy research and analyses of regulatory issues with emphasis on at least one of the following areas: public works and general prevailing wage determinations, construction industry and collective bargaining agreements or comparable research projects.
  2. Extensive knowledge of the California Labor Code, the California Code of Regulations and current policies.
  3. Experience and ability to analyze complex issues and prepare recommendations under tight deadlines with minimal oversight.
  4. Ability to communicate complex issues and any consequences to administration.
  5. Ability to lead and represent the department professionally and respectfully while building strong working relationships with other employees, the regulated public and external stakeholders.

Benefits

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

• Walking distance to train stations (BART and MUNI Metro Light Rail) and bus stops.
• Transit subsidy.
• Flexible work hours.
• Walking distance to area restaurants.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://www.dir.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Certification Unit
(800) 564-0771
cert@dir.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:
Diversity and Inclusion Office
(916) 559-6999
DIO@dir.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 Information

Preference will be given to persons with State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) or Surplus status. Applicants must attach a copy of their most recently dated letter that specifies their designation as either SROA or surplus candidate as proof.

Qualified candidates must have eligibility in State employment, be in a reachable rank on an employment list for this classification, be currently in this classification, or have transfer eligibility to this classification.

If you do not hear from us in 4-6 weeks, you may assume the position has been filled by another applicant. Please note that all additional vacancies that become available may be added to this advertisement.

Please note that the Exam and Certification Online System (ECOS) does not allow you to resubmit your application once you withdraw it. If you have any updates to your online application, please contact the Personnel, Recruitment, & Hiring Unit at (800) 564-0771.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey: DIR Applicant Survey

DIR Mission and Core Values

Our mission is to protect and improve the welfare and working conditions for California's wage earners and to advance opportunities for profitable employment in California. DIR is also committed to ensuring that all employers comply with labor laws in California to support a fair and thriving business environment.

Integrity - We fulfill the promise of our mission through fair, honest and ethical behavior.

Service - We are committed to responsibly serving the public and value their trust.

Respect - We treat others with dignity, courtesy and consideration.

Quality - We take pride in providing the public with accurate and timely services.

Transparency - We conduct ourselves with openness and accountability in all aspects of our work.

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