Job Posting: Economist

Department of Finance

JC-507206
-
Economist
RESEARCH DATA ANALYST I

$4,603.00 - $7,130.00 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: 2/26/2026

Job Description and Duties

Under direct supervision of the Research Data Supervisor, the Research Data Analyst I will assist the Economic Research Unit with producing the official economic forecasts for California, analyzing the economic impact of various enacted and proposed policies, providing weekly updates to the Executive team on economic data and information that may impact the state’s economy and/or the state budget, producing memos for the Director of Finance and the Governor’s Office on current economic issues, organizing and participating in Finance’s biannual economic forecast conference attended by top forecasters across the state, staffing the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors and assisting Research Data Specialists with reviewing regulatory impacts from California agencies and conducting economic research and data analysis support as needed. The topics span all areas of state policy and regulations, such as insurance, environmental policies, health care, and worker safety, among others. The economic forecast and the policy analysis provided by the unit inform the state budget and other decisions made by the Governor. Along with other analysts, the Research Data Analyst I will also be responsible for maintaining the Economic Research Unit’s database and charts used for publication of various macroeconomic indicators monitored by the unit, including labor market, personal income, housing, and inflation data.

 

Finance is the Governor’s chief fiscal policy adviser, and seeks to promote long-term economic sustainability and responsible resource allocation. The Economic Research Unit is responsible for California’s official economic forecast, which is used for the administration’s official revenue forecast and budget development process.

The Research Data Analyst I will receive training and exposure to many different aspects of being an economist in state service. This training will also help prepare those interested in future graduate work.

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

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-507206
Position #(s):
300-310-5729-002
Working Title:
Economist
Classification:
RESEARCH DATA ANALYST I
$4,603.00 - $5,231.00 L
$4,750.00 - $5,659.00 M
$5,694.00 - $7,130.00 N
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:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Are you looking for a position in a fast-paced, prestigious organization with great potential for personal development and career advancement? Would you find working with the top management in State Government and with the State Legislature exciting and rewarding? If so, the Department of Finance offers a broad range of professional career paths in such areas as budgeting, accounting and auditing, information technology, economic and population research, and general administration. Look no further, apply today!
Department Website: http://www.dof.ca.gov

Special Requirements

Virtual interviews via web portals or phone may be offered as deemed appropriate and feasible.

 

This position is located in Sacramento.

 

Finance currently has a hybrid telework model, which requires employees to work in the office a minimum of two days during the workweek with additional in office days required as needed and sometimes on short notice, for reasons such as hearings, site visits, or required in-person meetings or trainings. Implementation of Executive Order N-22-25 requiring four in-office work days has been postponed until July 1, 2026, but may be subject to change.   


In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025. This program reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits for the duration of the program. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the reduced amounts.

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: 2/26/2026

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:

Department of Finance
DOF Human Resources Office
Attn: Nguyet Nguyen
915 L Street, Suite 1235
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Finance
DOF Human Resources Office
Nguyet Nguyen
915 L Street, Suite 1235
Sacramento, CA 95814
Human Resource Office is closed from 12:00pm-1:00pm (PST) daily.
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 required and must be included.
  • School Transcripts
  • Other - References – Names and contact information of three references.
  • Other - A brief cover letter (one page) outlining why you are interested in this Research Data Analyst I position in the Economic Research Unit of the California Department of Finance and how your background, knowledge, skills, and abilities make you the ideal candidate for this position.
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:
  • Ability to communicate economic concepts to the general public, program specialists, and other economists, in oral and written form.
  • Ability to quickly absorb new material and apply economic thinking to policy issues.
  • Willingness to take ownership of projects and incorporate feedback from various points of view.
  • Ability to exercise a high degree of initiative and independence when appropriate.
  • Ability to work on multiple projects and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to develop and maintain effective cooperative working relationships.
  • Ability to ensure thoroughness and precision in communicating, writing, and analyzing data.
  • Robust analytical skills and critical thinking.
  • Ability to maintain and update organized spreadsheets.
  • Knowledge of economic models and their applications.
  • Knowledge of statistical models such as STATA or R

Benefits

For general information related to benefits with the State of California, please click here:

State Employees - CalHR Benefits Website.

Finance employees are excluded from collective bargaining and are eligible to receive the following enhanced benefits: 

  • Enhanced medical, dental, and disability benefits

  • Employer paid Life Insurance

  • Additional hour of Vacation/Annual Leave

  • Excluded employees are not subject to State Disability Insurance Payroll Withholding

For more details about employee benefits, visit the Department of Finance’s website here.

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: http://www.dof.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Nguyet Nguyen
(916) 754-3716
Nguyet.Nguyen@dof.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Karina Villalpando Ceja
(916) 322-2263
Karina.Villalpandoceja@dof.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:
Kelly Teeple
(916) 445-3368
Kelly.Teeple@dof.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.

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