Research Data Specialist III

Why Join DHCS? The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is the backbone of California’s health care safety net. Our success is made possible by the hard work of more than 4,800 DHCS team members and through collaboration with the federal government and other state agencies, counties, and partners for the care of low-income families, children, pregnant women, older adults, and persons with disabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team.

About the role

Under general direction of the Manager II in the Managed Care Monitoring Branch, the Research Data Specialist III (RDS III) serves as a senior research and data expert supporting compliance monitoring required under the Managed Care Final Rule and the broader oversight of the Medi-Cal Managed Care program. The role leads advanced research, analytical, and monitoring activities that inform program enforcement within the managed care delivery system.

Positioned within a program division rather than a traditional data unit, the incumbent focuses on coordination, collaboration, and liaison work with the Department’s data and technology partners including the Program Data Reporting Division (PDRD), Health Information Management Division (HIMD), and Enterprise Technology Services (ETS). In partnership with these divisions, the RDS III contributes to the development and refinement of monitoring methodologies, shared data exchange processes, and databases and reporting tools used to track grievances, appeals, audit findings, and corrective action plan outcomes tied to Final Rule requirements.

Key responsibilities include translating program needs into clear business requirements, participating in the joint development and validation of monitoring datasets, and interpreting results to support oversight and enforcement. The RDS III identifies anomalies, emerging trends, and potential indicators of non-compliance, elevating issues to program leadership when necessary. The position also provides leadership, consultation, and training to staff and collaborates closely with Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs), other governmental agencies, and internal partners to ensure accurate, consistent, and meaningful reporting. The RDS III documents methodologies and findings and produces high-quality reports, dashboards, and presentations that communicate monitoring results and support program decision-making.

This position has been advertised as limited term and is expected to last 12 months. This limited term position may be extended up to 24 months if supported by workload or may become permanent if workload becomes permanent.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior research and data expert supporting compliance monitoring under the Managed Care Final Rule and oversight of the Medi-Cal Managed Care program.
• Lead advanced research, analytical, and monitoring activities to inform program enforcement within the managed care delivery system.
• Coordinate and collaborate with data and technology partners (PDRD, HIMD, ETS) to develop and refine monitoring methodologies, data exchange processes, and reporting tools.
• Translate program needs into clear business requirements for monitoring datasets and reporting tools.
• Participate in the joint development and validation of monitoring datasets.
• Interpret results to support oversight and enforcement, identifying anomalies, trends, and potential non-compliance indicators.
• Elevate issues to program leadership as necessary.
• Provide leadership, consultation, and training to staff on data-related matters.
• Collaborate with Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs), governmental agencies, and internal partners to ensure accurate and consistent reporting.
• Document methodologies, findings, and produce high-quality reports, dashboards, and presentations for program decision-making.

Requirements

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification for Research Data Specialist III. A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must address the following:

• Describe your experience developing dashboards or analytical reporting tools that support program monitoring or decision-making.
• Provide an example of a dashboard or program analytics tool you helped design, refine, or implement.
• Explain your role in defining business needs or analytical requirements and how you translated those needs into functional dashboard elements.
• Discuss how you validated or interpreted the resulting analytics, and how program leadership used the information.

The SOQ must be no more than two pages in length, double-spaced, using 12-point font, and include your full name and Job Control Number at the top right corner. Number responses to coordinate with the questions. Resumes do not replace the SOQ.

Benefits

As a team member of the State of California, you may be eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid holidays and vacation/leave.
• Defined retirement program.
• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457).
• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Continuous and ongoing training.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program activities.

Full benefits information can be found on CalHR's California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary.

Pay

$8,392.00 - $10,505.00 per month.

Schedule

• 12-month limited term position (may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent based on workload).
• Full-time.
• Hybrid telework available to California residents (proof of residency may be required).
• Work location: Sacramento County.