RESEARCH DATA ANALYST II

About the Role

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 is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) launched the Research, Automation and Data Division (RADD) to build a sustainable data culture and maximize the full value of CDSS data assets. RADD works with Information Services (technology) and Program partners throughout the data life cycle to ensure best practices are elevated toward the goal of serving California's most vulnerable families using a human-centered and data-driven approach.

Do you love creative problem solving? Are you passionate about social services and motivated to ensure that benefits are provided to millions of Californians quickly and efficiently? If so, this position might be perfect for you. Our team helps CDSS programs to make data-driven decisions and perform tasks faster so that more Californians can access the support they need.

As an RDA II in the Data Solutions Unit, you will participate in meetings with programs to learn about their data problems and help build solutions to address them. Common examples of our work include modernizing data collection, automating workflows, and creating low-code apps that simplify complex processes. The key to succeeding in this role is a willingness to learn, both about CDSS programs’ needs and new technical skills. A successful RDA II will acquire a deep understanding of programs’ processes, the ability to identify pain points, and the technical skills to create innovative solutions. The specific solutions we create vary by project and our software options are growing, so flexibility and the capacity to learn through shadowing, meetings, project documentation, and online trainings are more important for this role than preexisting knowledge. All work will be done under the direction of the RDS I Supervisor and in conjunction with other team members as the RDA II learns our developing technology stack and how it can be used to serve CDSS programs.

Responsibilities

• Participate in meetings with CDSS programs to understand their data problems and help build solutions.
• Modernize data collection processes.
• Automate workflows to improve efficiency.
• Create low-code applications that simplify complex processes.
• Learn and apply new technical skills relevant to the role.
• Develop a deep understanding of program processes and identify pain points.
• Work under the direction of the RDS I Supervisor and collaborate with team members.

Requirements

• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.
• A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with your application to be considered for this position. The SOQ should be between 800 and 1200 words total and address the following:
  • Describe your approach towards and experiences with learning new software. Low-code, automation, and programming software or languages (such as R, Python, SQL, etc.) are of particular interest. Include examples from self-teaching, on-the-job training, coursework, etc.
  • Describe a time when you identified an inefficient process or recurring problem. How did you analyze the issue, what solution did you propose or implement, and what was the outcome? If you have not had this experience professionally, you may use an example from school, volunteer work, or a personal project.
• Complete employment history on the application form (STD 678) is required. Resumes will not substitute for employment history.
• If meeting minimum qualifications with education, include unofficial transcripts for verification. Official transcripts may be required if selected for hire.
• Candidates residing outside California may be admitted to the job interview but must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

Pay

$6,647.00 - $8,325.00 per month. New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Schedule

Permanent, Full Time. Hybrid telework arrangement.

Benefits

CDSS Guiding Principles:

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, Belonging: We ensure opportunities for everyone to participate in a meaningful way in fulfilling the mission and vision of CDSS.
• Community Engagement: We prioritize the lived experiences of community members as a driving force behind the creation, implementation, desired impact, or change of programs and services.
• Empowerment: We engage, operate, and advocate from the understanding that each community and person have desires and capabilities to lead in their own life.
• Quality Services: We provide services that align intent and impact by ensuring that they are accessible, community driven, interconnected, and continuously improved.
• Data Defined Outcomes: We equitably collect and analyze data, take data-driven action, and measure outcomes relevant to those we serve, ensuring transparency and accountability.