Research Data Engineer

The Research Bureau is seeking a Research Data Specialist II, otherwise referred to as a Research Data Engineer. The Bureau is looking for people who are passionate about public service and using data to improve lives. This position is a lead data engineer responsible for building efficient pipelines that underpin in-house research and analytics that inform decision-making and improve service delivery across CDSS programs.

The Research Data Engineer will operate with minimal oversight on complex, high-stakes projects, linking administrative records across systems, building reproducible data pipelines, designing complex database structures, developing automated workflows that help operationalize research findings, and ensuring the quality and security of sensitive program data. The goal of their work is to use data to inform actions that improve program delivery and outcomes for the people CDSS serves.

The primary emphasis of this role will be data engineering in the service of research and public impact. However, candidates should also bring working knowledge of causal research methods (experimental design, quasi-experimental techniques, or program evaluation) to understand what the data infrastructure must support and contribute to evaluation work when needed.

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

Working Conditions

This position can be filled in the following locations:

ALAMEDA, BUTTE, FRESNO, HUMBOLDT, LOS ANGELES, ORANCE, PLACER, RIVERSIDE, SACRAMENTO, SAN DIEGO, SAN JOAQUIN, SAN MATEO, SANTA BARBARA, SANTA CLARA, or SONOMA COUNTY.

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.

Please note: Regular commute is not compensable

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST II

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:

JC-523383

Position #(s):

800-659-5758-002

Working Title:

Research Data Engineer

Classification:

RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST II $7,640.00 - $9,561.00 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:

Permanent, 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 Bureau sits within the Research, Data, and Insights (RDI) Branch of the Research, Automation, and Data Division (RADD) at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). We are a team of dedicated and compassionate researchers who use both data and computational methods to answer critical policy questions, guide decision-making, rigorously test new interventions, and help scale what works. We work with large-scale administrative and program data and apply quantitative methods to produce actionable evidence for California's leaders and the communities we serve.

Our mission is to advance the boundaries of CDSS program knowledge and practice. We synthesize what is known about our programs based on research that meets high methodological s…