Mitigation Research Specialist

Job Description And Duties This is a 12 month Limited-Term position that may be extended up to 24 months and/or with the possibility of becoming permanent.** Are you looking for an exciting and fast-paced career? Join the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and be part of an organization that serves as a leader in emergency management and homeland security through dedicated service to all. We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our team. If you are interested in a challenging opportunity in a high-energy, team-oriented environment, you are encouraged to apply. From wildfires to pandemics, the State of California is experiencing an unprecedented number of emergencies. If you are looking for a career path where you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of vulnerable Californians, consider joining the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). This organization, guided by the goals of resilience, sustainability, climate adaptation, and equity, serves as a trusted leader in emergency management and has come to be depended on by communities throughout California. To expand our capabilities, we are looking for collaborative individuals devoted to developing innovative solutions that empower the residents of our state. The Research Data Specialist I, as part of the Hazard Mitigation Assessment Unit will design studies and undertake geospatial, statistical, and qualitative analysis on program interventions to measure success. The incumbent will write reports and studies, recommend the adoption of applications, and determine authoritative data services. The incumbent plans for and performs data creation, preparation and modeling for loss avoidance studies, risk assessment, disaster recovery and other products as necessary. This is an integral role in ensuring that Cal OES is accurately measuring the success of disaster recovery and mitigation actions, continuously updating best practices, and ensuring communities are employing the most effective actions toward building resiliency. This Team is responsible for identifying and resolving database-related issues, providing enhancements to applications and dashboard products, making recommendations for process improvements and new solutions for effective program management, and delivers analytical products for both program-specific areas and general emergency response and recovery. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Working Conditions This position is located in the Hazard Mitigation Assessment Unit in Mather, CA. Hybrid Telework: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Additional in office days may be required based on the business need. Conflict of Interest (COI): This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code and is required to complete Form 700 within 30 days of appointment. Failure to comply with the Conflict of Interest Code requirements may void the appointment. Department Information The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture by hiring and retaining individuals from a variety of backgrounds and personal experiences. Our employees are empowered with the tools and resources necessary to meet our mission, while continuing to expand equity and inclusion efforts at all levels of the organization. We are committed to the spirit and work required to ensure the safety and resilience of every community in California. Cal OES is an emergency response, homeland security, and disaster recovery agency and as a result, is a dynamic and exciting place to work in a team-oriented environment. Cal OES provides training to enhance the understanding of emergency and incident management to all employees. The Recovery Directorate is responsible for managing disaster recovery and providing assistance to local governments, special districts, certain nonprofit organizations, individuals, businesses and agricultural communities impacted by disasters. The Recovery Directorate ensures state and federal support are provided in an efficient and timely manner throughout the recovery process. The Recovery Directorate is comprised of three sections — Recovery Operations, Hazard Mitigation, and Interagency Recovery Coordination. Recovery personnel are responsible for assisting in the management of statewide disaster recovery efforts, as well as assisting agricultural communities, businesses, certain nonprofit organizations, individuals, local governments and special districts impacted by disasters. In the event of an emergency, employees may be contacted and requested to report to work in the event of an emergency. This contact may be outside of your normal working hours (evenings/nights, weekends, and holidays). This service may require irregular work hours, work locations other than the official duty location, and may include duties other than those specified in your official position description. Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature (weeks to months), with little advance notice, and you may be required to relocate to emergency sites. More information may be found here: Recovery Directorate | California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Department Website: http://www.caloes.ca.gov 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: Knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware, and software, including but not limited:Geospatial Software: ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, QGIS, and other ESRI platforms for mapping, spatial analysis, and geodatabase management. Data Analysis Tools: Python (including Pandas, NumPy, and Matplotlib libraries), R, and SQL for data processing, modeling, and statistical analysis. Visualization Platforms: Tableau, Power BI, and ArcGIS Dashboards for creating interactive dashboards, heatmaps, and data visualizations to aid in decision-making. Hazard and Emergency-Specific Software: FEMA’s Hazus, CALAdapt, and flood risk modeling tools to assess impacts, model secondary hazards, and evaluate progress. Remote Sensing and Imagery Tools: Satellite imagery processing via Google Earth Engine or other platforms for burn area mapping, vegetation analysis, and change detection. Knowledge of data management and data governance principles. Knowledge/understanding of data concepts and ability to develop queries for statistical analyses; understanding of data limitations and research methods. Analytical skills and the ability to think strategically while remaining focused on goals and objectives. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders from a wide variety of professional backgrounds and experiences. Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, be persistent, work in a team, and solve problems as they arise. Background in statistics and technical/academic writing. Experience working in focus groups and analyzing qualitative data. Experience in supporting conducting research independently within or in partnership with other organizations and coworkers. Experience designing and coordinating the implementation of research projects within organizational constraints and resource limitations. Experience supporting and training staff and community partners that are unfamiliar with research, to collect, manage, and analyze data. Benefits Cal OES employees are eligible for a number of benefits and working for us is a great opportunity to join a committed team. Benefits include but are not limited to the following: Free Parking On-site Gym and Locker room Electric Carport Excellent CalPERS state pension plan 401(k) and 457(b) Plans Flexible Schedules Generous paid time off Health, dental & vision insurance for the employee or the employee's family Investment in careers developmentLocated near many local eateries, financial institutions, and the Light Rail Station Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.