Healthcare Analytics Research Scientist

The Research Scientist (RS) plans and conducts scientific research studies of limited scope and complexity, with moderate supervision, and with work reviewed periodically to see that it generally conforms to established policies and procedures. The RS is a member of the Healthcare Analytics Branch (HAB) and serves as team member of the Workforce and Utilization Analysis Team (WUAT) in the Analytics and Data Section. The RS performs statistical analysis and provides information in response to the data needs of Division staff, federal, state and local governmental agencies, the legislature, the healthcare industry, the media and the general public. Among other duties, this position supports the function of publishing public reports on hospital financials and utilization, fulfilling custom data requests, and releasing data -including data on healthcare quality - through the California Health and Human Services Open Data Portal. In the Healthcare Access and Information (HCAI) work environment, staff handle confidential patient data. Specific statutes and regulations, and HCAI policies and procedures, govern the collection, storage, disclosure, and use of confidential data. The employee is responsible for the safe and secure handling of this data in compliance with these policies and procedures.

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 Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) hours each month. For more details about PLP 2025, visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

Take a 2-minute survey to tell us why you applied for HCAI! - https://forms.office.com/g/B6eXh2NKpZ, California's Department of Health Care Access and Information works to ensure that healthcare is available where Californians need it most. With offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles, we strengthen the state's healthcare system through facility construction, expanding the health workforce, and providing vital health information. Our diverse team upholds the values of professionalism, innovation, equity, and service. We provide tools and support to help you start, build, or transition your career while making a meaningful impact for all Californians.

At HCAI's Office of Health Information, we shape conversations and generate impactful insights about California's healthcare landscape from data submitted to us by hospitals, health plans, prescription drug manufacturers, and California's health workforce. These conversations and insights inform policymakers, researchers, community leaders, and the broader healthcare industry regarding topics such as health care cost transparency, the total cost of care, and health outcomes. Our mission is to expand equitable access to quality, affordable health care for all Californians and we want you to join us in our cause!

HCAI is committed to building an inclusive work environment that promotes diversity, where employees are appreciated and feel comfortable being their authentic selves. We value our employees' skills, experience, and unique perspectives because they enrich our workforce and make us stronger. We embrace and support a culture of equitable opportunity, empowering our employees to advance health care access and information for the diverse populations we serve across California.

Department Website: http://HCAI.ca.gov/

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: 4/7/2026

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., 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 - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted to apply for this position. (The SOQ is a separate document with your Name and Job Control number noted on the top, typed in Arial 12 pt font, no more than two pages.) Resumes and cover letters do not take the place of the SOQ. Applications without a clearly titled SOQ or failure to follow instructions above will not be considered for the position.

1. Please describe how your knowledge, skills, experience, and education relate to the qualifications listed in the job description.

To support fair hiring, applicants should prepare their application materials using their own knowledge, experience, and skills. Your responses should show your own qualifications and work history. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools should only be used responsibly. 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.

Visa Sponsorship: HCAI is not an E-Verify employer and does not provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of appointment., 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:

• At least 2-3 years experience writing about health care data or policy (e.g., peer-reviewed or government publications, grant applications, technical documents)
• At least 2-3 years data analysis experience in any programming language
• At least 2 years experience analyzing ICD-10 coded data and/or healthcare claims data
• At least 2 years experience creating visualizations using Excel, Tableau, Power BI, R, ArcGIS, etc.
• At least 2 years experience delivering oral presentations
• At least 1 year experience programming in SAS
• At least 1 year experience merging/linking disparate data sources
• At least 1 year experience applying data de-identification policies or other practices to protect individual privacy in data analysis
• At least 1 year experience investigating data quality and/or analyzing the comparative impact of competing measure specifications
• At least 1 year experience analyzing cost, economic and/or financial data

HCAI is committed to fostering a flexible, inclusive, and high-performing work environment that supports both operational excellence and employee well-being.

HCAI is housed in a state-of-the-art building outside of downtown off Interstate-5. Enjoy a great work environment with many amenities, including FREE PARKING and fully equipped pay-per-charge electric vehicle charging stations. HCAI is close to many dining and shopping choices., In addition to competitive public employee wages and a comprehensive benefits package, our employees enjoy meaningful and interesting work that supports access to healthcare. To learn more about benefits for State employees, visit the Salary and Benefits page on the CalHR Benefits Website. University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) employees may qualify to transfer their current and previous employment credit to State of California employment through CalPERS. Human Resources can help with this process upon employment or you can reach out to CalPERS for inquiries at (888) 225-7377.

HCAI supports a hybrid telework schedule for many positions, consistent with operational requirements. Telework schedules are only available for CA residents. The telework policy is subject to change, and additional in-office days may be required and/or minimal notification may be given to report to the worksite if an urgent need arises.