Research Data Specialist III

Under general direction of the Assistant Deputy Director of Research and Policy, the Research Data Specialist III is responsible for a wide range of highly advanced, complex research and data analysis tasks of the Department. The incumbent will draw broadly across research disciplines to scope, conduct, and manage a variety of literature reviews and complex research tasks using the appropriate methodology, including qualitative and advanced quantitative research methods. This position functions as a senior subject matter expert in social science research design, data analytics, and evidence-based policy formulation. The incumbent will be an excellent communicator and excel at synthesizing and interpreting research and data to develop novel insights and actionable, evidence-based policy recommendations. The incumbent will advise executive staff and public officials on complex research projects and studies. Potential research topics will be driven primarily by the needs of the Civil Rights Department, the Commission on the State of Hate, and the Civil Rights Council. Potential research topics include, but are not limited to, analysis of hate crime data, best practices for preventing and responding to hate activity, housing and employment discrimination, and civil rights. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the essential functions listed in the duty statement. In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily 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 through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

This position is hybrid and will require scheduled in-office days to be established with your supervisor in accordance with Department policy.

This position will be located in Sacramento, Los Angeles, Oakland, Riverside, Fresno or Bakersfield, depending on the location of the selected candidate., A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your application. Application packets received without an SOQ will not be considered. The SOQ serves as a documentation of a candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Your response to the statements below should be no more than 2 pages in length, single spaced, and in 12-point Arial font.

1. Describe your education, training, and experience related to reviewing and synthesizing information and research, including but not limited to, your experience writing literature reviews.
2. Describe your education, training, and experience related to designing and conducting empirical research studies. In your response, describe your experience with, and proficiency in, specific qualitative and/or quantitative research methods and analysis techniques in detail. Also describe your experience conducting research in applied settings.
3. Describe your experience communicating and explaining research findings to individuals without a background in research.
4. Describe your education, training, and experience related to the topics of hate, civil rights, bias, prejudice, and/or discrimination.

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Requires ability to effectively handle stress, and work in a noisy and fast paced environment.
• Requires daily use of a personal computer and related software applications at a workstation.
• Requires ability to complete tasks that require repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties, with or without reasonable accommodations and modifications to facilitate such tasks.
• Requires prolonged use of a workstation for 6.5 to 7 hours per day.
• Requires punctual and regular attendance.
• Requires occasional travel to meetings and other events., 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 synthesize complex information, including research and qualitative and quantitative data, to clearly communicate findings
• Ability to design and conduct social science research studies using qualitative and quantitative methods
• Ability to objectively understand and articulate limitations in research and data
• Ability to prioritize research projects by evaluating their feasibility and potential for impact
• Ability to develop clear, actionable, policy recommendations informed by research efforts
• Experience managing and conducting research on civil rights and hate
• Excellent writing and editing abilities
• Excellent communication skills, such as being able to present orally before a group in an effective and convincing manner
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative professional relationships
• Ability to operate a computer and knowledge of Excel, Word, and at least one statistical software program, such as R, Stata, or SPSS.
• Ability to prepare written documents and accurate detailed reports clearly and concisely
• Ability to work effectively in a remote environment

There are many benefits to joining our team! We offer competitive pay, advancement opportunities, upward mobility, work-life-balance, and for many positions, flexible hours and remote work options. The State of California offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility, such as:

• Pension through CALPERS
• Medical Benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance
• Medical benefits into retirement
• Deferred Compensation options: 401k and 457b
• Leave benefit options (Vacation/Sick or Annual Leave)
• Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance
• ScholarShare (College Saving Account)
• School Loan forgiveness under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, All information regarding your employment history must be included on the State Employment Application STD. 678:
• “To” and “from” dates (month/day/year)
• Hours worked per week
• Private sector job titles
• Supervisor name and phone number
• Job duties performed
• State employees must list the specific departments for which they worked and indicate the specific civil service classification titles held (not working titles).

Transcripts: If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcript for verification. Foreign transcripts must include official verification of U.S equivalency prior to appointment by an organization found here.

Personally Identifiable Information: Please do not include your Social Security Number, date of birth, veteran status, personal photos, LEAP information, or any other personally identifying information on any documents in your application package.

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) formally known as Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) is the civil rights enforcement agency for the State of California. CRD’s mission is to protect all people in California from employment, housing and public accommodation discrimination, human trafficking and hate violence. CRD is the largest state civil rights enforcement agency in the country. It enforces the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Unruh Civil Rights Act, Disabled Person Act, Ralph Civil Rights Act and the California Trafficking Victims Protection Act. The Department has jurisdiction over both private and public entities operating within the State of California, including corporate entities, private sector companies that contract with the State of California, and all State department and Local governments.